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February 2009
Film capsules: Take at least one dose
Since there is nothing new worth reviewing today, it’s time for some short takes on what’s playing in theaters. I’ll return to full-length reviews next week with a little item called Watchmen.
But for now … titles link to any full reviews I’ve written.
Coraline
The first great movie of 2009 is this marvelous stop-motion animated fantasy about a young girl with boring parents who finds a parallel world that seems much more wonderful — at least at first. Director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) creates wonderfully immersive and creepy 3-D effects; don’t miss this one in the theater. GRADE: A
Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood’s latest film at first glance looks like it could be a graceless self-parody, but it turns out to be a clever and moving story in which Eastwood turns his gruff persona on its head, playing a bigot who tries to find redemption by helping his Asian neighbors. Some of the writing is clumsy and heavy-handed, but on the whole this is an affecting story about looking beyond surfaces. GRADE: B+
The International
This thriller plays a bit like one of the paranoid conspiracy movies of the 1970s and has great international flavor — that’s no surprise coming from Run Lola Run; director Tom Tykwer. Still, despite solid performances from leads Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, the story about sinister bankers feels dry and lacks emotion. Some solid action set pieces, especially a shootout in a museum, make it worthwhile.GRADE: B
Push
This sci-fi thriller, sort of a cross between X-Men and Heroes, makes very little sense story-wise, but two strengths carry it: good performances from most of the cast, and imaginative, dizzying direction of the action scenes by director Paul McGuigan. If nothing else, it’s a visual rush. GRADE: B
The Reader
This drama about a young boy who falls for a woman who turns out to be a Nazi benefits from a fine performance from Kate Winslet. Nevertheless, the film’s sense of its own self-importance is so overblown, it sucks the life out of the story. An overdose of repressed emotions, coupled with unfocused storytelling, left me cold. GRADE: C-
Slumdog Millionaire
No one you’ve ever heard of is in the cast, but don’t let that stop you from seeing this masterful, wondrous movie, the best live-action film of 2008. In telling the story of a young man accused of cheating on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Danny Boyle directs with boundless energy and imagination. It’s an exhilarating experience that I didn’t want to end. It won the Best Picture Oscar, and most deservedly. GRADE: A+
Taken
This is a solid little potboiler about a father (Liam Neeson) who wreaks havoc on his daughter’s kidnappers — it’s the equivalent of a throwaway paperback you’d read on the beach. Like so many action films these days, this movie is a bit too frenzied for its own good, but Neeson’s performance gives the story much-needed gravity.
GRADE: B
The Wrestler
I’ve never been any kind of a wrestling fan, so that this movie moved me as much as it did speaks volumes about how effective it is. Mickey Rourke deserves every pound of praise he has received (including an Oscar nomination for Best Actor) as a once great wrestler who let his personal life turn into shambles. Director Darren Aronofsky uses a gritty, fly-on-the-wall style that makes the film feel lived-in and utterly convincing. GRADE: A
Feel free to comment on any of these, or on movies you’ve seen not mentioned here.
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Are these the 25 greatest working directors?
While I was busy Oscaring last week, the perpetually list-happy folks at Entertainment Weekly put together a list of the 25 greatest active directors.
Actually, they named a total of 50, but for the sake of making things more digestible, I will consider mainly the top 25.
Their rankings, and my reactions.
1) Steven Spielberg
Not my personal choice for No. 1, but I’m not going to argue.
2) Peter Jackson
Don’t know that I’d place him quite THIS high, but he surely belongs on the list. Very curious to see what he does with The Lovely Bones.
3) Martin Scorsese
THERE’S my number 1.
4) Christopher Nolan
Love his work, but I think the editors were a bit too Dark Knight-happy placing him this high. I’d have him in the 25 though.
5) Steven Soderbergh
His movies don’t always work - his epic Che was half impressive, half a muddle - but you have to admire the fact that he’s always trying something different.
6) Ridley Scott
Sure - even if he’s been so prolific lately that he doesn’t always hit the bullseye - but that’s a good problem to have.
7) Quentin Tarantino
He’s lost a little luster lately by overindulging. If Death Proof were as great as its car chase, it’d be another Pulp Fiction. Alas, it contains a little too much gabbing. We’ll see where Inglourious Basterds (cq) lands him.
8) Michael Mann
Never less than very intriguing, even when he’s not firing on all thrusters (Ali). Can’t wait to see his gangster movie Public Enemies.
9) James Cameron
Calling him an active director is a bit of misnomer since he hasn’t made a feature in 12 years, but he promises to blow our minds, or at least our eyeballs, with Avatar this year.
10) Joel and Ethan Coen
Many people think “What the heck was THAT?” when watching their movies. Those of us on their beam know this is a good thing.
11) Guillermo del Toro
Definitely on the rise with Pan’s Labyrinth and with Hellboy II improving greatly on its predecessor
12) David Fincher
I didn’t think Benjamin Button was a complete success, but it was fascinating watching him work outside his normal action/thriller mode.
13) Tim Burton
Almost always fun to WATCH, even if he still struggles occasionally with narrative. If only he’d dropped the bad old dad from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
14) Judd Apatow
As a writer? Sure. As a director? Ehhh …
15) Sam Raimi
Yes , even though he needs to bounce back from the burnout that was Spidey 3.
16) Zack Snyder
No. Not over some folks who haven’t been named yet. He’s a talented visual stylist., but not quite a great director, no matter what the Watchmen ads tell you.
17) Darren Aronofsky
Sure. I might even rank him a little higher on the strength of The Wrestler.
18) Danny Boyle
Absolutely. Perhaps even higher now that he’s an Oscar winner.
19) Clint Eastwood
Unquestionably belongs on the list, but his ranking is VERY questionable. BELOW Nolan and Snyder? Um … no.
20) Ron Howard
Some cineastes may scoff, but the man is a complete pro who never gets enough credit. Too bad more people didn’t see Frost/Nixon for proof.
21) Ang Lee
Just might be the most versatile director.
22) Paul Thomas Anderson
Just might be the gutsiest.
23) Paul Greengrass
Nobody orchestrates action better. Nobody.
24) Pedro Almodovar
Just ask Penelope Cruz.
25) Jon Favreau
I like his placement here. He’s a savvy, smart helmer, and my favorite attribute of his is his willingness to mix old and new style effects.
Now before you go on saying “What about…?” here are the other 25:
Woody Allen - Belongs in the 25, even if much of his work lately has been minor.
Brad Bird
David Cronenberg
Sofia Coppola
Bryan Singer
Sam Mendes
Mel Gibson
The Wachowski brothers
JJ Abrams - On the basis of what? Mission Impossible 3, his only finished film? Ridiculous.
Alfonso Cuaron
Hayao Miyazaki - Japanese animation master deserves to be in the first 25
Mike Leigh
Oilver Stone
Roman Polanski
Spike Jonze
Richard Linklater
Spike Lee
David Lynch
Wong Kar-Wai
Wes Anderson
Mira Nair
Andrew Stanton
Michael Moore
Mary Harron
Sidney Lumet
Lights, camera … debate!
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Three things strike me about this Jonas Bros. review
Just came across the AP review of the new Jonas Bros. concert movie and noticed three things in particular.
First, the headline: Review: Tweens will swoon for Jonas Bros in 3D - Um, that’s not a review. It’s a statement of fact, for better or worse.
And then there was this ‘graf:
“Unfortunately, most of the 3-D effects are pretty gimmicky: For example, Joe, the middle brother, takes off his sunglasses and hurls them at the camera, and Nick, the youngest, flicks a guitar pick and hits us squarely between the eyes. There’s also a bizarre sequence in which they whip out giant power hoses and suggestively spray the crowd with some sort of indeterminate, fluffy white substance. Perhaps they’re not so innocent after all.”
Uuuummmm … Insert your own joke in the comments below.
Finally, reviewer Christy Lemire’s capper:
“But mostly, the movie upholds the adage that if it’s too loud, you’re too old. Then again, if you’re bothering to read this, you’re probably too old anyway.”
Amen, sister.
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What’s opening Friday, Feb. 27?
Let’s see, what should I review Friday …
Jonas Bros. 3D: The Concert Experience: I can think of several other words I’d rather use besides “concert.”
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li: Disinterested Critic: The Dilemma of Eric Robinette.
At the Arthouses
Neon: I’ve Loved You So Long: Now that I’d like to review - but I haven’t seen it.
Little Art: Slumdog Millionaire: Loved it. Reviewed it already.
Yep, I’m doin’ capsules Friday!
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Spidey crawls to Broadway
It seems that Broadway reaches out to pop culture more and more these days for material (Shrek, the Mel Brooks shows et al) but I have to say I find this idea interesting: a Spider-Man musical.
In and of itself, I would have laughed the idea out of the room, but the show, due to open in 2010, is being directed by Julie Taymor, who took a good but overrated Disney movie, The Lion King, and turned it into a phenomenal experience that bettered its source material.
On top of all that, the show boasts a score by Bono and The Edge. Hmmm. Even more interesting.
And on top of all that, per this story in the Hollywood reporter, Taymor’s Across the Universe co-stars, Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood, have participated in table readings. Sturgess reportedly won’t be in the show, but Wood says she’s Mary Jane. The show is at least partly the origin story.
Wow. The last time I was in Manhattan, the Twin Towers were still there, but this show is a tempting incentive to go back.
How does this show strike you?
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Oscar viewership improves - now what?
So it seems the much-speculated on ratings for the Oscars have improved this year. According to this story, 36 million people watched the show, an improvement from last year’s record low numbers.
Some naysayers will carp and point out it’s still one of the less-watched telecasts, but any improvement in this era of declining viewership for all kinds of TV shows has to be seen as some sort of victory.
Truth be told, I think all the talk about the ratings is a bit overblown, but I’d like to use that as a launchpad to ask (and answer) a few questions.
Did you like what you saw this year and will that encourage you to tune in next year? I of course, watch every year, and I’m already on record as saying this was one of the best shows in recent memory. Roger Ebert calls it the best ever.
Should Hugh Jackman return as host? I say yes, absolutely, if he’s willing. If not Hugh, then who?
Should the show keep some of the innovations it tried this year, such as having former winners address the nominees instead of playing the clips? Or presenting the awards as kind of a narrative? I’d like to keep at least some form of addressing the nominees going. It threw me at first, but that turned out to be a breath of fresh air that made for great TV.
All I would ask is that Gil Cates, who has produced a lot of the shows in recent years, stay away. He was notorious for rushing the nominees through their speeches, which I think makes the show stiff and awkward. As other commenters have pointed out, letting the nominees have their moment made for more entertaining viewing.
What do you think?
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And that’s a wrap! What did you think of the Oscars?
On the whole, this year’s show was very entertaining - indeed, one of the best in years. An overindulgent production number (the one about musicals) and overabundant montages aside, I thought producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark did a fine job, particularly in the actual awards presentations. Having former winners pay tribute to the nominees made for some lovely moments.
And overall, Hugh Jackman made a very fine host. He wasn’t QUITE as good as he was on the Tonys, but he’s welcome to come back.
My favorite moment: Shirley MacLaine’s tribute to Anne Hathway. I’d like to see her in a musical. Close runner up: Danny Boyle bounding like Tigger on stage.
Least favorite moment: I love Baz Luhrmann, but that musicals production number was nothing more than a time-killer.
I don’t know yet what the ratings are, but if they’re low again, you missed a fun show - and you’re probably missing some great movies featured on the show too, I’ll wager. Check em out.
Your take?
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Best Picture …
… is “Slumdog Millionaire.” Of course. As they bring the entire cast on stage!
What else is there to say except see it, if you haven’t? Or see it again, if you have.
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Best Actor
Hey, Ben Kinglsey’s taking a break from appearing in the likes of “Bloodrayne” and “The Love Guru!”
Sean Penn is named, and as much as I loved Rourke’s work, I really have no problem with this win. He was absolutely brilliant in the role, showing a light-hearted side of him we rarely see. If only “Milk” were as good as he was …
Powerful speech. All that remains is “Slumdog’s” coronation.
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Best Actress
On second thought, having the previous winners speak to the nominees is really working out nicely. Seeing the nominees touched by what the presenters are saying really makes for great TV.
And Kate Winslet wins, as expected. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about it. I strongly disliked “The Reader.” She is one of our very best, and I love her work, but “The Reader” wasn’t even her best performance last year - that was in “Revolutionary Road.” I’m glad to see Kate finally get her due, but I wish it were for a better movie and performance.
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Best Director
Danny Boyle takes it of course. He’s done so much great work. I LOVE his energy - and the Tigger reference! Terrific emotional speech. I think the choreographer has his due now.
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The In Memorian montage
Having Queen Latifah sing is actually a nice touch. Lots of people we will miss. And as expected, it caps with Minghella, Pollack, and of course, Paul Newman. They all still live as long as their movies do.
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Best Foreign Language Film
Wow, another surprise. I thought “Waltz with Bashir” or “The Class” would take it, and neither did. I must see it now to see how deserved this is. Course, I’d like to see “Waltz with Bashir” and “The Class” too.
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Best Orginal Score/Song
Nice performance of the scores, but wow, it sounded like it was hard to capture the “WALL-E” sound live.
AR Rahman wins for “Slumdog,” and that is a terrific score, but I really loved Thomas Newman’s work for “WALL-E.” Let’s see how the song category goes.
Now that may be a first - has anybody ever won and then had to perform immediately afterward like Rahman just did?
Clever touch to kind of combine “Jai Ho” with “Down to Earth.” Well done.
And “Jai Ho” wins too. I expcted that but I can’t help but be a little sad. I was really hoping for Thomas Newman to win something. Oh well. It took cousin Randy a while too.
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Jerry Lewis’ Jean Hersholt award
Eddie Murphy presents - how apropos!
A richly deserved honor for Jerry - and as is so often the case with these kind of awards, it’s rather surprising that it hasn’t happened already. Simple, elegant speech. Wonder if they had him keep a lid on time.
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Sound awards/FIlm editing
Hm. “The Dark Knight” was well done and Richard King is an outstanding sound designer (he also did “War of the Worlds”), but I really would have preferred “WALL-E” Here. Ah well. No biggie.
WOW! “Slumdog” takes the sound mixing award! It’s well-deserved, actually, the movie DOES sound great, but I thought “WALL-E” or “Dark Knight” would take this. That just goes to show how strong the “Slumdog” love is. First real surprise of the evening.
However, it is NOT a surprise to see Chris Dickens win, his editing was truly outstanding. He used a lot of very clever match cuts to keep a clear view of the storyline, even as he was veering between time periods and settings. Sterling work.
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The action montage/Visual effects
Hey, the editing of this piece is better than the editing of the overly caffeineated “Quantum of Solace” - but then, that’s not saying much, is it?
PS - Hey Will - you forgot to mention jellyfish!
Clever segue from that to the visual effects award - and the true groundbreaker, “Ben Button” wins. Now WHAT was that silly theory about the movie going 0-fer?
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Best Documentary
The producers are doing a wonderful job with the presentations of the awards - nice move hiring the Maysles to put that together.
“Man on Wire,” about the man that walked a tightrope wins. It was one of the best films of the year of any kind. See it.
Nice to see the wire-walker - wonderful moment! Highlight of the show so far!
Can’t comment much on the short film winner …
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Time for Heath Ledger’s Oscar
Yes, I’m confident enough to put that in my subject header ….
Apparently, Philip Seymour Hoffman has taken fashion tips from Janusz Kaminski, and borrowed one of his knit caps …
Let Heath Ledger’s family talk as long as they need to please …. NICELY done, very smart move, letting all the family members have their say.
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Our musical number!
You know, this is all entertaining enough, but if this is a reason why we won’t get full presentations of the Best Song nominees, I’m not sure I’m all for this detour. (Peter Gabriel bailed from performing because the songs would not be played in complete form.)
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The comedy montage/Live action short
Well, OK, if you’re going to hire Judd Apatow, I guess the montages can at least be amusing …
Janusz Kaminski and “Pineapple Express” - I must admit I never would have dreamed up that combination ….
and to have Kaminski come out? Inspired!
And yes, the Holocaust film won best short. When in doubt …
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Best Cinematography
How INTERESTING to turn the Cinematography award into a riff on Joquin Phoenix what’s the connection? How to see yourself through the clearest lens and realize you look ridiculous?
“Slumdog” wins, making it, I believe, the first winner to be shot at least partly using digital cameras - and it was beautifully lensed.
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And another montage …
The romance montage is actually nicely done, but what does it add to the show … other than an excuse to have Robert Pattinson present? Yes, I know that’s good enough for some people, but …
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Best Makeup
Nice idea by the producers to include makeup in this group of awards. “Ben Button” wins, as I predicted … woulda preferred “Hellboy” but “Ben” was nicely done.
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Best Costume Design
The winner is “The Duchess” which, again, is like an award for MOST costume design!
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Best Art Direction
INTERESTING way to present this … I very much like the way the producers are thinking out of the box.
The Oscar goes to “Ben Button,” which is kind of a “Most Art Direction” award, but I’m not complaining … the film was beautifully designed. It would be nice to let ALL the winners talk …
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Best Animation
Well isn’t Mr. Black a CHEEKY fellow!
Let’s see if the mega-bomb “Delgo” makes the montage! Hmm, didn’t see it ….
WALL-E wins … love Andrew Stanton mentioning being cast as Barnaby in “Hello Dolly.”
Hmm, Pixar LOST the short film … I’ll have to seek the winner out. NICE capper by the person who accepted!
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Best Screenplays
Fun intro by Martin and Fey. Love the idea of showing how we move from script to screen.
And the winner, as I expected is Dustin Lance Black, for “Milk.” VERY moving speech. That’s a model of how to make a point without being too obtrusive.
And Simon Beaufoy wins, most deservingly, for “Slumdog.” Let the march begin …love the eternal look of delight on Danny Boyle’s face.
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Best Supporting Actress
Looks like we start with Supporting Actress one of the tighter races of the night. Really like the idea of multiple winners presenting.
Are we having the presenters do these descriptions, though, instead of playing clips? Not sure I like that idea, but I appreciate the attempt to try something different.
And the Oscar goes to …
Penelope Cruz came through! Fine with me, she was terrific in Woody Allen’s film. Good of her to name-check Pedro Almodovar. Nice touching speech.
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The opening …
A jazzy take on the “Lawrence of Arabia” theme! I LIKE this already! Producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark and Bill Condon are off to a good start, and so is conductor Michael Giacchino.
Host Hugh Jackman takes a cue from Billy Crystal - but Billy didn’t dance much, did he?
LOVE the rehearsed “unrehearsed” number with Anne Hathaway! Yes, folks, she sings too!
OK folks it’s settled. Hugh Jackman can host next year! And the year after that ….
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WOW! Something CLEVER during the red carpet part!
We get our first montage of the evening, and it’s actually a good one, I was amused by the movie accountant assemblage. I’m really rather amazed, we have nine minutes to go to the actual show, and my brain doesn’t hurt yet. What’s the deal?
I like that they’re talking to a good cross-section of people, even ones who aren’t ultra famous like Richard Jenkins.
I think we may have a winner in our stupidest question contest: If there was an earthquake at the Kodak, who would you save?
I don’t know … I can think of a few people I would LEAVE …
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Oscar live blogging: Let us begin ….
Well, time once again to live blog the Oscars! For the red carpet portion let us begin by playing a game - which correspondent (or celebrity) will ask the dumbest question or make the stupidest statement?
Keep hitting the refresh button for updates to the posts …
Pardon while I admire Amy Adams in her red dress …
Nothing brain-meltingly stupid so far, although the “Richard Nixon could not be here” remark was of the “duh” variety.
Fun to see the whole “Slumdog” crew there - they look happy just to be at the party. Get ready guys, you’re going to collect a bunch of statues.
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Oscar predictions: The whole shebang
Now that I’ve gone into detail about the actors, the actresses and picture and director, it’s time to sum up and predict ALL the Oscar races.
REMINDER: Live-blogging of the telecast starts at 8 PM tonight!
BEST PICTURE
Will/Should win: Slumdog Millionaire
BEST ACTOR
Will/Should win: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
BEST ACTRESS
Will win: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Should win: Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Will/Should win: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Will win: Viola Davis, Doubt
Should win: Amy Adams, Doubt (can’t help it)
BEST DIRECTOR Will/Should win: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E
Will/Should win: WALL-E. Duh.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water
Will win: I’ve only seen the probable victor, Man on Wire, the story of the man who walkled a tightrope between the Twin Towers. It’s uplift should carry it to the win, but Trouble the Water, about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, could threaten.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Baader Meinhof Complex
The Class
Departures
Revanche
Waltz with Bashir
Will win: Waltz with Bashir, the animated film about Israeli conflict, looked like a sure bet, but the Academy often tends to go for safe over adventurous in this categotry. Witness the victory of Belle Epoque over Farewell My Concubine. I think the acclaimed The Class is the victor.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Will win: Overall love for Slumdog will most likely give AR Rahman the statue.
Should win: Thomas Newman deserves to win solely on the basis of the 70s-sounding music that accompanies WALL-E and EVEs’ first date. Brilliant.
BEST SONG
Down to Earth from WALL-E
Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire
O Saya from Slumdog Millionaire
Will win: I had thought the WALL-E tune would win, and it may yet, but my gut is telling me voters haven’t thought hard enough to separate score from song. “Jai Ho,” the end credits tune, is staged memorably in the film, I think that can only help it. “O Saya” won’t siphon enough votes.
Should win: Much as I enjoy “Jai Ho,” I enjoy “Down to Earth” even more.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
WALL-E
Will win: I think this is where voters will most likely reward Milk, the only Best Picture nominee.
Should win: I’ve heard it said WALL-E won’t take it because there’s not much dialogue. I think that’s exactly why it should win. People often forget there’s much more to a screenplay than what people say.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Will/Should win: The Slumdog train should roll through easily here.
BEST ART DIRECTION
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road
Will/should win: This award often goes to the most art-directed film, that’s the time-tripping Button. And I’m not going to complain. Like all of David Fincher’s films, the movie is beautifully designed.
BEST COSTUMES
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road
Will win: Opulence ususally rules here. That’s The Duchess.
Should win: I rather like Australia’s work myself.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Will win: The Dark Knight is a strong contender for its use of IMAX cameras, but how many voters saw it that way? Not many, I’ll bet. That’s why I think the vibrantly lensed Slumdog will take it.
Should win: I DID see The Dark Knight in IMAX, so I prefer it.
BEST EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Will/should win: Slumdog, for the way it cleverly moves back and forth in time, with some ingenious cuts.
BEST SOUND MIXING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted
Will/should win: Conventional wisdom would dictate the loud blockbuster, The Dark Knight, but sound was so crucial to WALL-E’s success, I think it wins.
BEST SOUND EDITING
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted
Will/Should win: See Sound Mixing.
BEST MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Will win: Button had the most old-age makeup …
Should win: … But Hellboy had the most inventive makeup.
VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Will/should win: Easy call. The superhero pics had solid work, but Button’s was truly groundbreaking.
So those are my picks. What are yours?
A couple other questions to ponder:
What win would you most love to see? I really wish Thomas Newman would win for his WALL-E score.
What’s the worst nomination? I’ll go for a big one: The Reader for Best Picture. Zzzzzz.
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Oscar Predictions: Best Picture and Director
I’ve predicted the acting races (Guys and girls), so now it’s time to take a crack at the two categories that are usually closely linked: Best Director, and the big prize, Best Picture.
As ever, candidates are listed in order from most to least likely to win.
BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Howard I can ace out immediately. Although he did some of the best work of his career, Frost/Nixon simply has never built up much steam. For some odd reason, the director’s branch really likes Daldry, nominating him for all three films he’s made so far (Billy Elliot and The Centuries … uh, I mean The Hours being the others). I’m not a fan, but that has nothing to do with my reasoning that now’s not his time. Van Sant has a great deal of respect, and Milk has its passionate supporters, so I won’t rule him out, but I can’t rule him in either. Fincher has many strong admirers, and he’s an auteur grafting his cool visual style onto the Academy’s warm, sentimental tastes, but that out-of-character combination could be seen as a debit as much as a credit.
But Boyle has built up insurmountable momentum. He’s been remarkably effective in a variety of genres over the years in films as different (and excellent) as Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Millions. He juggled Slumdog’s varying storylines and tones with remarkable aplomb. This race is his to lose.
Will/Should win: Danny Boyle
BEST PICTURE
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Reader
Frost/Nixon
Once again, Frost/Nixon built up a great deal of respect, but not a great deal of passionate support, so it won’t win. I will never understand the Academy’s endorsement of the suffocatingly pretentious The Reader. Thankfully, I don’t think it has enough major boosters to win. Benjamin Button is the movie that seems to fit most comfortably in the Academy’s wheelhouse - many have made comparisons between that film and winner Forrest Gump. As it happens, both films were scripted by the same man, Eric Roth. Still, reaction to the film has been a bit muted. The buzz is that people greatly admire the picture without actually loving it.
If any film can upset the favorite, it’s Milk, which has its devotees, and its topicality, tied to the Prop 8 gay rights controversy in California, certainly helps its chances. Even so, if the Academy at large can’t award Brokeback Mountain, I can’t see it awarding Milk either.
For the Academy at large, Slumdog Millionaire is the right film at the right time. It’s mood of great joy emerging from great strife makes for a great tonic during these trying times, and people who love this film do so unequivocally. That’s why it’s captured virtually every prize under the sun - with just one more to go.
Will/should win: Slumdog Millionaire
Predictions in most every category will post Friday. Live blog of the show to follow Sunday.
What do you think? What will win? What should? What movie would you give the Oscar to, even if it’s not nominated?
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Oscar Predictions: The Actresses
Yesterday I predicted the male acting Oscar races, today I turn to the females. Again, nominees are listed from most to least likely to win.
BEST ACTRESS
- Kate Winslet, The Reader
- Meryl Streep, Doubt
- Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
- Melissa Leo, Frozen River
- Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Jolie simply won’t win - not against this competition. It’s not enough to earn her a second Oscar, after her Girl, Interrupted win. Leo has her devotees and so has an outside shot, but she’s in the same indie-player-who’s-thankful-to-be-nominated boat as Best Actor nominee Richard Jenkins. Hathaway surprised many with her searing performance as a recovering drug addict, and a win isn’t absolutely out of the question, but this race is between two Oscar veterans.
Streep won the SAG award for playing a skeptical nun, and although she’s racked up Oscar nomination after Oscar nomination, she hasn’t won since 1983, when she took home the gold for Sophie’s Choice. The Academy might well feel she’s due again.
Still, Kate Winslet is egregiously overdue. The simple fact remains that Streep has two Oscars, and Winslet has none. Plus, the Academy (inexplicably) liked The Reader well enough to give it five noms, so I think voters will say voting for Winslet is the best way to reward the film.
Will win: Winslet
Should win: I saw The Wrestler and Rachel Getting Married back to back, and it struck me that Rourke and Hathaway pulled off very similar feats. Both actors took potentially unlikeable characters and made me absolutely root for both of them by the end. Besides, I’ve been telling people for years that there was more to Hathaway than meets the eye; it’s nice to be proved legit.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
- Viola Davis, Doubt
- Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
- Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
- Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Amy Adams, Doubt
Much as I hate to rank Amy Adams last, there’s simply no way she wins this time - not with costar Davis getting the lion’s share of attention. (This writer makes an interesting if a bit far-fetched case for her to win). Henson provides Benjamin Button with much of its warmth, but I don’t sense voters passionately loving the film or her performance. And even though Tomei will get some support off of co-star Mickey Rourke’s coattails, I don’t think the Academy feels this is the time to give her Oscar No. 2, although she has certainly proved her My Cousin Vinny win wasn’t a fluke.
So again, that leaves the race between two very close front-runners. At one time Cruz seemed unbeatable for her spitfire turn in Woody Allen’s film, and Allen does have a track record for guiding supporting actresses to wins, like Dianne Wiest (Hannah and Her Sisters, Bullets Over Broadway) and Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite). However, Cruz has seemed to fade in the stretch. I’m very troubled by the fact that Vicky did not get a screenplay nomination. Granted, the writers nominate that category, but if the writers, who usually love Allen, couldn’t get behind the film, what does that say about Cruz’s chances?
That leaves Davis, who absolutely makes the most of her limited screen time, just as prior winners Beatrice Straight (Network) and Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love) did. She’s been building momentum lately, and the fact that all four of Doubt’s principals are nominated tells me the actors really liked the film. That’s why I’m calling Davis for a slight upset.
Will win: Davis
Should win: If I’m voting with my heart, I must vote for Adams, but you won’t hear me complain if Davis or Cruz wins.
Agree or disagree? Who was snubbed?
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Oscar Predictions: The Actors
Having returned from my travels, it’s time to break out my crystal ball/tarot cards/Ouija Board/good sense and try to predict the Oscar winners.
Bear in mind that I once placed sixth in the nation predicting the Oscars in a contest. Also bear in mind that I failed to ace a single major category in my nomination predictions this year. But bear in mind again that when I placed sixth, it was for picking the winners. Place your bets accordingly, always remembering the two key Oscar mottos: “Nobody knows anything” and “Deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it.”
Today, the males. Wednesday, the females. Thursday, picture and director, and Friday the whole shebang. The show is on Sunday evening on ABC; watch for my live blog of the telecast.
I will rank the nominees from most to least likely to win.
BEST ACTOR
- Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
- Sean Penn, Milk
- Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
- Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
- Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
I can pretty much write off Pitt; though I think he deserves more credit than some have given him, I think many voters will think that performance was mainly makeup and effects, rightly or wrongly.
I would be delighted to see Jenkins take the prize; he was wonderful in The Visitor, but his is the sort of under-the-radar performance where the nomination is the award.
A win by Langella would not shock me, he’s done good, solid work for years, and his is the sort of career the Academy would like to recognize at a late date (see James Coburn’s win for Affliction.) However, the overall heat around the film has died down considerably, and I just don’t sense he has enough momentum to take over the front-runners.
Penn could very, very easily take it. Actors clearly love him (they nominated him for I am Sam, after all), and he won the SAG prize for his performance as gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. It also helps that he’s bright and lively in this performance as opposed to his more typical dark and surly mode. And the recent Prop 8 gay rights controversy in California will no doubt be fresh in the minds of some voters. However, Penn won very recently for Mystic River.
That leaves Mickey Rourke, who gave a heart-wrenching performance as the desperately seeking redemption has-been Randy “the Ram.” His comeback story is almost legend by now, and this feels like a once-in-a-career shot. Penn will certainly be back in this circle. Rourke? Not as certain. That’s why I think he wins.
Will win: Rourke
Should win: Rourke. With an appreciative nod to Jenkins and Penn, no actor moved me more.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
- Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
- Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
- Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
- Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
- Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
- Josh Brolin, Milk
- Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
- Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
- Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road
Yes, the numbering is intentional. Anyone who’s not predicting Ledger at this point is either a moron or a ballot-counter for the Academy who is willing to risk his or her job by revealing one of the biggest jaw-droppers ever, from the Oscars or anyone. Prepare for a moving acceptance speech by Ledger’s family.
Will/Should win: The Joker
Who will win the Best Actor/Supporting Actor Oscars? Who should? Who got robbed?
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While the critic’s away …
I’m going to be on break for the rest of this week, visiting with many of my favorite people.
In the meantime, I’ll fill you in on the DVD and theatrical releases coming up while I’m gone, and I shall return next week with Oscar predictions, just in time for my annual live-blogging of the show next Sunday, Feb. 22.
While you wait, If you’re feeling Valentine-y, I’d love to see more comments on my best movie kiss post.
On DVD today
Blindness: Fernando Meirelles’ follow-up to The Constant Gardener doesn’t rank among his best work story-wise, but visually he’s as strong as ever, depicting a world gone mad when everyone except one person (Julianne Moore) suddenly goes blind. Full review - GRADE: B
Frozen River: Melissa Leo fully deserves her Best Actress Oscar nomination, but I found the film as a whole overrated because I couldn’t fully sympathize with the characters, who were more off-putting than involving. GRADE: B
Miracle at St. Anna: Spike Lee’s World War II drama was another film that was underestimated last year. It’s too long and unwieldy, as if Lee and writer James McBride couldn’t bear to cut any of their material, but at its best, the movie as as strong as anything he’s ever done. GRADE: B+
Nights in Rodanthe: An adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane that seemed to inspire a big “eh.”
Soul Men: A comedy that will forever be known more for being the last film by Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes than for anything in the film itself.
W.: As he did in Nixon, Oliver Stone makes an earnest attempt to understand what made one of our most maligned presidents tick. He doesn’t quite find the answer, resorting too often to cheap pop psychology, but Josh Brolin’s outstanding performance carries the film. An Oscar nomination for this movie would have been more deserved than the one for his turn in Milk. Full review - GRADE: B
In theaters this Friday
Confessions of a Shopaholic: Sophie Kinsella’s novels come to the screen courtesy of a winning lead, Isla Fisher, and a strong director, PJ Hogan, who made My Best Friend’s Wedding and Muriel’s Wedding. I’m in.
Friday the 13th: I’m out.
The International: And I’m back in for this thriller starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts and directed by Tom Tykwer, who made Run Lola Run.
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What’s the best movie kiss?
This being Valentine’s week and all, I thought I’d ask a good romantic movie question:
What’s the best movie kiss of all time?
Most movie questions are hard for me to answer because I can’t pick just one; I have to name several. But in the case of the best movie kiss, the answer is BEYOND easy. I don’t even have to give it a second thought. In fact, this movie kiss is SO far out front, there IS no second place.
Ladies and gentlemen I give you Jimmy Stewart and the luminous Grace Kelly from Rear Window.
Never fails to make me melt, he said, pulling himself back up into his desk chair.
So what’s your favorite movie kiss? Or kisses?
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Snazzy visuals give ‘Push’ its pull
I saw Push only two days ago, but if you were to ask me exactly what it was about, I couldn’t tell you. I’m not sure I could have told you immediately after seeing it. And yet much of it still lingers in my memory.
The film is basically a low-rent version of X-Men crossed with last year’s Jumper, only with much grimier scenery. It’s not as effective as X-Men, but it is the movie that Jumper tried and failed to be at about this time last year: a sci-fi action thriller about people with super powers that cause more pain than glory.
The central figure is Nick (Chris Evans) a “mover” (a fancy way of saying telekinetic) who tries to hide in Hong Kong from the nasty supers who are after him. Cassie (Dakota Fanning) is a “watcher,” or someone who can foretell the future. She recruits Nick to retrieve a mysterious suitcase that has something to do with a girl Nick once loved named Kira (Camilla Belle). She’s a “pusher,” or someone who can control people with their mind.
I think that’s the deal, anyway. It sort of made sense while I was watching it, but I’m not so sure now. Still, the key phrase here is “while I was watching it.” This is a movie that lives very much in the moment, and that’s due mainly to the skills of director Paul McGuigan.
I haven’t seen McGuigan’s other movies, which include Lucky Number Slevin and Wicker Park, but Push showed me he has an imaginative eye, especially for staging action. The fights in this movie deliver, particularly in scenes involving the “movers” and their ability to levitate guns.
Some of the effects work is chintzy, but McGuigan overcomes that with slick editing and vertiginous camerawork. It’s enough to make me really want to see what McGuigan can do with a decent script. In that way, Push reminds me of Shoot ‘Em Up, another film with a silly screenplay but a sharp visual sense. I say hand the next James Bond movie to McGuigan, who could rescue the series from the frenzied mess that was Quantum of Solace.
McGuigan isn’t the only asset Push can boast. Evans (the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films) has a strong presence, and Djimon Hounsou is intense as usual playing the heavy. The weak link in the cast is Belle, a pretty actress, but an emotional blank. I actually thought Evans had better chemistry with Fanning, who has fun playing a precocious, haunted smart-aleck.
I’m not sure even the film’s screenwriter, David Bourla, could make heads or tails of the plot. As a piece of storytelling, the movie isn’t much. However, as an action flick, Push has a powerful shove.
GRADE: B
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Ever been out of synch with a movie audience?
Recently one of my best friends and I attended La Comedia’s current show Polynesian Fire (my review of said show can be found here) and were mystified as to why the audience was laughing at a dance routine we were pretty sure wasn’t supposed to be funny.
Why do I bring this incident up, even though it doesn’t involve movies? Because me being obsessed with them, the incident put me in mind of times of been with movie audiences and thought “What are THESE people watching?”
We’ve all had that sort of experience at one time or another. The audience seems to really love a movie and you can’t figure out what in the world they think is so great. Or the audience may even be revolting against a movie you like. Or they may be reacting in such a way that’s completely puzzling.
Three such incidents stand out in my mind - so much so I’m sure I’ve mentioned them in this blog in different contexts.
When The Exorcist was re-issued to the theaters some years ago, some teenagers in my audience seemed to find it hysterical, particularly during the actual exorcism scenes. That movie chills me to the bone every time I see it, but those reactions may be even more frightening.
I’ve been lucky enough to see one of the all-time great movies, Vertigo, on the big screen several times. I’ve also been unlucky enough to watch it with audiences who find it funny, particularly when an obsessed Jimmy Stewart is trying to compel Kim Novak to change her look. I can only guess these people were either monumentally insensitive or unaccustomed to the style of older movies. Either way, I was dumbstruck - I find these scenes terribly tragic and sad, and the audience was laughing. The ending usually shuts them up, though. (No spoilers here. See the movie.)
Then there was the time I screened Mr. Deeds with Adam Sandler. It was to be expected that Sandler would cheapen the Frank Capra classic Mr. Deeds Goes to Town with seventh-grade locker room humor, but the folks around me were laughing themselves into convulsions. I was going into convulsions, too, but they’re the kind that … well, I don’t want to be gross. Use your imaginations.
So those are three times when I wondered what movie the audience was watching. Whjat are incidents like that for you?
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What’s opening Friday, Feb. 6?
The first week of February 2009 brings four new films to the multiplex, and most of them are actually good prospects. Again, titles now link to the Rotten Tomatoes entries.
Coraline: A new stop-motion animated feature from Henry Selick, the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas. This one, about a girl who enters a strange parallel world. is based on a story by Neil Gaiman, author of Stardust and Zemeckis’ Beowulf. I’m especially hot to see this in 3D, for which it was specifically designed.
He’s Just Not That Into You: This supposedly atypical romantic comedy was long delayed and the reviews are iffy, but I can’t help but be curious about a movie with a cast including Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly and Ginnifer Goodwin.
The Pink Panther 2: You know how I said most of the titles were good prospects? This is the exception. File this one under “They made a sequel because the undistinguished predecessor made a surprising amount of money.” Kind of like Cheaper by the Dozen 2.
Push: This sci-fi-ish thriller from the studio that brought us Twilight has not pulled down great reviews but I think it’s getting a bit underrated. My take posts Friday.
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The Christian Bale rant - so what?
The online world is all-atwitter about Christian Bale’s (insert dramatic music here) “explosive rant” on the set of Terminator Salvation. However, even though that’s a big movie, and this is a movie blog, you won’t find an attempt to analyze or exploit that video here.
Why not? The answer is simple: I don’t care.
Look, I understand there’s a certain fascination with watching a star go nuts and people like to gossip about it. If you’re into that sort of thing, check out our Celebrity Worship blog. I’m not interested.
Neither is Harry Knowles of Ain’t It Cool News - he has a post that’s far more illuminating than any other report I’ve read about this incident.
Bale’s rant doesn’t matter one whit to me. It doesn’t affect me personally in any way. It does not change my feelings about Terminator Salvation, which are that I’m curious about the film but more than a little leery given that the director is McG, who made one of my least favorite action movies, Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle.
The rant also does not change my impression that Bale is a great actor. OK, apparently he’s a bit of a hothead, but why should that matter to me or to anyone who sees his movies? I find it inevitable but extremely distasteful that this episode dredged up his arrest last year when Bale had a domestic dispute.
Some people may say that I’m only adding to the fire by blogging about it at all. And I suppose I am. But I do so to take a stand and make it clear that I’m only interested in this kind of news when it will seriously affect a movie or a movie star. I don’t think this “news” changes the fortunes of Bale or Terminator Salvation much at all.
People may gawk and gossip about Bale all they like, but if you’re looking for celebrity rubbernecking, you won’t find it here.
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Today’s DVDs: Madagascar 2, and 2 romances
After a few moribund weeks, the DVD slate rebounds a bit this week by offering two unusual romances and … well, I really don’t consider the Madagascar sequel a rebound, but what can you do?
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa: I wasn’t a fan of the original Madagascar, which I thought was exhibit A as to why DreamWorks’ animated films don’t endure: It emphasized a string of pop culture gags over a story. But at least the penguins were funny. So it was all the more disappointing when the sequel got off to a very promising start, and then descended into the same old lame gags. And sadly, the penguins aren’t funny this time. Full review GRADE: C (Note: For reasons unknown, this is coming out Friday instead of Tuesday.)
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist: This didn’t make much of a splash last fall, considering the strong buzz that was behind it. Maybe that’s because the movie’s not really as edgy as it wants to be. It keeps diffusing its own energy with uninteresting subplots. That said, the movie delivers for the same reason any romance delivers: I really liked the lead couple, in this case winningly played by Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. Full review GRADE: B
Zack and Miri Make a Porno: I perhaps foolishly thought that this movie about a platonic couple that decides to (see title) would be a breakout hit for writer-director Kevin Smith, but it ended up being a steady but unspectacular performer, like most of his movies. It deserved better. Although Smith’s ribald humor doesn’t always mesh well with the sweetness of the romance, the best gags are hysterical, and Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks make an ideal couple - even though their characters take a long time to realize that. Full review GRADE: A-
Also out today
The Secret Life of Bees: This adaptation of the Sue Monk Kidd novel turned out to be a solid little sleeper hit. And in the department of weird coincidences, how strange is it that this movie starring Dakota Fanning comes out on the same day as her notorious Hounddog (AKA the rape movie), and in the same week that her sci-fi thriller Push lands in theaters?
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Reviewing the Super Bowl movie ads - GI Joe added
Having blogged elaborately about how to watch a Super Bowl movie ad, it’s time to grade the lot of them this year.
Angels and Demons: Hated The Da Vinci Code. Doesn’t look horrd, doesn’t look great either. GRADE: C (May 15)
Fast and Furious: Not a fan of this franchise, but I have to admit, this ad was a grabber. GRADE: B (April 3)
GI Joe: The rise of Cobra: I’m of two minds on this one. The stunts and effects do look cool, but the director is Stephen Sommers, who melted my brain with Van Helsing. This gets a “we’ll see.” (This wasn’t on Hulu for some reason, had to use YouTube.GRADE: B- (Aug. 7)
Land of the Lost: Will Ferrell. Plecch. This makes the Lost in Space movie look golden. GRADE: F (June 5)
Monsters vs. Aliens: Looks like it could be one of DreamWorks’ better movies, but the highly touted 3D effects were negligible on TV. I’m sure they’ll look better in the theater. GRADE: B (March 27)
Race to Witch Mountain: I was already sold on this one, because I have a soft spot for the original films. The stormtrooper gag is quite funny. GRADE: A (March 13)
Star Trek: Still not sure what to make of the whole young crew angle, but I trust the ever-inventive director, JJ Abrams (Mission Impossible 3). GRADE: B (May 8)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: I know this one has a lot of people excited but all I see are robots, shiny photography and explosions. Been there, done that. Oh, and the bridge blowing up? Spielberg did it better in War of the Worlds. GRADE: C (June 26)
Up: Pixar. Any questions? GRADE: A
Year One: Not much to go on here, but I’ll give it a look-see, especially since Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) directs. Michael Cera’s role looks funny. GRADE: C+ (June 19)
Which of these ads did you like/dislike?
