There are really only three requirements to be nominated at the 2008 Hollmann Awards.
1) The film must have a US release in 2008
2) I have to have seen the film between Jan 1, 2008 and January 20, 2009
3) Don't suck
With that in mind, I present the following films in contention for the 2008 Hollmann Awards in 2009:
Be Kind Rewind
Burn After Reading
Changeling
Choke
City of Ember
Cloverfield
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Diary of the Dead
Doubt
The Duchess
Elegy
The Foot Fist Way
The Forbidden Kingdom
Frost/Nixon
Frozen River
Gran Torino
Happy-Go-Lucky
Hell Ride
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Horton Hears a Who!
In Bruges
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
The Incredible Hulk
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
JCVD
Leatherheads
Mamma Mia!
Married Life
Milk
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Penelope
Pineapple Express
Quantum of Solace
Rachel Getting Married
Rambo
Redbelt
Revolutionary Road
Role Models
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Savage Grace
Slumdog Millionaire
Son of Rambow
Speed Racer
Step Brothers
Synecdoche, NY
Then She Found Me
Tropic Thunder
Valkyrie
Vantage Point
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
W.
WALL-E
Wanted
The Wrestler
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
Young@Heart
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
That's a total of 59 flicks, though still pending are Bolt (which I'm watching tonight), Last Chance Harvey (which just opened here), The Reader (which is playing at the local art house) and The Visitor (which I got from Netflix).
Last year, I had 86 films in contention. Geez. What happened? Was I easier to please or something? Heavens.
Anyway, there's 59 films, with an additional four maybes, so hopefully I'll have a full 63 films to choose from. Let's find out.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Women Take It All
My, my, what an evening I had last night. With the majority of me pals out of town and my roommate's girlfriend visiting, I was left to my own devices. So, when I wasn't catching up with The Office or attending mass (that is, watching The Golden Girls), I caught up on some actressing from earlier in the year.
It is a biopic of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley), apparently the first real Fashion Icon. And yes, the film touches on this quite a number of times, and so Michael O'Connor's luscious costume designs are appropriately impressive. But, of course, what it really focuses on is Georgiana's entrapment: marriage to the passionless Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes). We also get a look at the fierce political figure she was, joining the campaign of the Whig Party (led by Simon McBurney as Charles Fox) and falling in love with an old friend, Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper). Oh, also, she befriends Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell) who ends up sharing her home and husband.
Which is delightful. It's a very subtle piece with rich, human characters. It is hard to say the Duke is heartless; such restraints that he puts on Georgiana are natural to him, something expected of a husband, especially one of his standing. Besides, he does give her quite a bit of freedom, and if that last line doesn't absolve him, nothing will. Bess is a great friend, a horrid friend, a good mother, an odd wife, a wifely mistress. It's hard to hate her, even if one does disagree with the way she does things. Eh, but Tilda Swinton does it.
So, between the fine acting, subtly crafted screenplay, beautiful costumerie, and Rachel Portman's score, which I need to buy immediately, I gotta recommend The Duchess. It is a full-on, 100-percent, bona-fide great film.
I mean, shit. The shit these women deal with is unbelievable. Ray's sons, naturally, miss their daddy, with the eldest (Charlie McDermott as T.J.) constantly butting heads with her, as though she were doing nothing to help the family. (He's got some money-making schemes of his own; it's pretty funny, but also pretty fucked up). Lila, meanwhile, is just doing what she can to provide for her little boy. These aren't women who want the money for themselves, nor are they middle-aged thrill-seekers. It's all for the children, as expressed by a radio show Ray listens to early on in the film. Hunt was reportedly inspired by an article she read detailing the real-life details of these desperate women, adding an extra power to the story.
THE DUCHESS
...is not bad at all. I didn't find it corny, or over-the-top, or melodramatic. It did not feel like just another costume drama, and it did not hit me over the head with its themes. No, dear reader, I loved it. I loved the hell out of it. 'Course, I also love Anne of the Thousand Days, but that has more to do with a specific adoration for Richard Burton than a general love for all things involved. Like, say, my love for The Duchess.It is a biopic of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (Keira Knightley), apparently the first real Fashion Icon. And yes, the film touches on this quite a number of times, and so Michael O'Connor's luscious costume designs are appropriately impressive. But, of course, what it really focuses on is Georgiana's entrapment: marriage to the passionless Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes). We also get a look at the fierce political figure she was, joining the campaign of the Whig Party (led by Simon McBurney as Charles Fox) and falling in love with an old friend, Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper). Oh, also, she befriends Bess Foster (Hayley Atwell) who ends up sharing her home and husband.
A brief moment of frivolity
And I adored every minute of it. Nothing was ever stated outright, none of that "WE ARE WOMEN WE HAVE NO RIGHTS" clap-trap that many films of this genre fall into. Yes, the film is full of this, but it is never (or, at least, very rarely) said out loud. It is in the Duke's treatment of Georgiana, in Georgiana's pleadings for a life with Gray, in the demands her mother (Charlotte Rampling) makes on her, in the whole idea of her being a political figure. Only once is it mentioned how many sons Bess Foster has, before the Duke takes up with her. And never once is it said that that is the reason, as Georgiana has only borne girls. Rather, the Duke gets a very human moment as we see him play father, when heretofore ignoring his daughters. Nothing is said, we just get to see it all happen.Which is delightful. It's a very subtle piece with rich, human characters. It is hard to say the Duke is heartless; such restraints that he puts on Georgiana are natural to him, something expected of a husband, especially one of his standing. Besides, he does give her quite a bit of freedom, and if that last line doesn't absolve him, nothing will. Bess is a great friend, a horrid friend, a good mother, an odd wife, a wifely mistress. It's hard to hate her, even if one does disagree with the way she does things. Eh, but Tilda Swinton does it.
Ralph Fiennes: Rather cross, lacking Oscar
And then, of course, there's Keira Knightley, whose performance has been overshadowed by Kate Winslet's odd playacting, Angelina Jolie's unrestrained hysterics, and Meryl Streep's awesome power. But Keira's just great in this, never overplaying the feminist, never forgetting the mother or the lover or the friend. It is a role full of warmth and sadness. The confrontation between a spurned Grey and the emotionally dead Georgiana is haunting. And yes, she gets a shrill moment in the middle when confronting the Duke about his liaisons with Bess, but it is a rare occassion in which she loses it--and indeed, who wouldn't?So, between the fine acting, subtly crafted screenplay, beautiful costumerie, and Rachel Portman's score, which I need to buy immediately, I gotta recommend The Duchess. It is a full-on, 100-percent, bona-fide great film.
FROZEN RIVER
...is also pretty good. A quiet little movie about motherhood, writer-director Courtney Hunt presents the human tale of trailer-park mom Ray Eddy (Melissa Leo), a woman who, abandoned by her husband the week before Christmas, desperate to buy a new home for her children, digging behind the couch just to give her sons lunch money, winds up smuggling illegals across the Canadian border. Also presented is the human tale of Mohawk woman Lila Littlefoot (Misty Upham), a woman who, losing her eyesight, residing in a one-room mobile home, estranged from her only son by the machinations of a bitter mother-in-law, gets Ray into smuggling illegals across the Canadian border when she claims the white woman's husband's abandoned car as her own.I mean, shit. The shit these women deal with is unbelievable. Ray's sons, naturally, miss their daddy, with the eldest (Charlie McDermott as T.J.) constantly butting heads with her, as though she were doing nothing to help the family. (He's got some money-making schemes of his own; it's pretty funny, but also pretty fucked up). Lila, meanwhile, is just doing what she can to provide for her little boy. These aren't women who want the money for themselves, nor are they middle-aged thrill-seekers. It's all for the children, as expressed by a radio show Ray listens to early on in the film. Hunt was reportedly inspired by an article she read detailing the real-life details of these desperate women, adding an extra power to the story.
Do not fuck with her, she will fuck right back (and not the good way)
The race card pulled here never really feels forced, either. Naturally, Ray would expect the Pakistanis to be hiding explosives in their bags. Naturally, Lila would balk at working with a white woman. Naturally, T.J.'s first reaction upon learning his dad's car was on Mohawk territory would be to kick some Indian ass. God, I know people much higher in the class system that would immediately respond this way. The most important element here is rarely spoken out loud (well, except for the aforementioned radio show). Hunt's script is tight without being sparse, full without being long.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hosting the Hollmanns
With the Hollmann Awards ahead, I feel it's time to offer you, the public, a chance to choose something. Yes, this year, you actually get a choice in how things go. Kind of.
See, what we need is a host, and while it's tempting to just go with somebody random, I'd rather it be someone we can all love and admire. At the same time, I also want it to be someone I just adore, and someone who did not have a film come out this year.
So, I'm giving you a list of options from which to choose. I've narrowed it down to ten, all women. Because I love women.
I don't care how you vote. Rank 'em, do a tie, do a ten-way tie, any way you want. Just know that whoever you choose, you're stuck with them for an entire awards presentation.
See, what we need is a host, and while it's tempting to just go with somebody random, I'd rather it be someone we can all love and admire. At the same time, I also want it to be someone I just adore, and someone who did not have a film come out this year.
So, I'm giving you a list of options from which to choose. I've narrowed it down to ten, all women. Because I love women.
Beatrice Arthur
AKA: Dorothy Zbornak
Film credits: Mame, Lovers and Other Strangers, History of the World: Part I, That Kind of Woman
Arthur has appeared twice on the Hollmann Awards, each time introducing the trailer of a Best Picture nominee. In 2007, it was The Departed, and in 2008, it was There Will Be Blood. Last year, she openly campaigned for hosting duties.
AKA: Dorothy Zbornak
Film credits: Mame, Lovers and Other Strangers, History of the World: Part I, That Kind of Woman
Arthur has appeared twice on the Hollmann Awards, each time introducing the trailer of a Best Picture nominee. In 2007, it was The Departed, and in 2008, it was There Will Be Blood. Last year, she openly campaigned for hosting duties.
Drew Barrymore
AKA: Mrs. Hollmann
Film credits: Donnie Darko, Batman Forever, The Wedding Singer, Everyone Says I Love You, Home Fries
Barrymore appeared last year at the Hollmann Awards, handing out the Best Original Song prize to Dewey Cox for "Let's Duet". The most beautiful woman in Hollywood has wished happy birthday to Hollmann himself, and he has the DVD to prove it. In addition to ensemble rom-com He's Just Not That Into You, Barrymore will be seen next year in HBO's Emmy-hopeful (please?) Grey Gardens, and in her directorial debut, Whip It!, starring Hollmann Award Nominee Ellen Page. She is Number One on Walter's Top Ten Celebrity Crushes.
AKA: Mrs. Hollmann
Film credits: Donnie Darko, Batman Forever, The Wedding Singer, Everyone Says I Love You, Home Fries
Barrymore appeared last year at the Hollmann Awards, handing out the Best Original Song prize to Dewey Cox for "Let's Duet". The most beautiful woman in Hollywood has wished happy birthday to Hollmann himself, and he has the DVD to prove it. In addition to ensemble rom-com He's Just Not That Into You, Barrymore will be seen next year in HBO's Emmy-hopeful (please?) Grey Gardens, and in her directorial debut, Whip It!, starring Hollmann Award Nominee Ellen Page. She is Number One on Walter's Top Ten Celebrity Crushes.
Allison Janney
AKA: C.J. Cregg
Film credits: Juno, Hairspray, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Celebrity, The Hours
Janney appeared in both Juno and Hairspray last year, two movies which ended up getting a number of Hollmann Award Nominations. Though Janney has yet to be nominated for the Hollmann, she is Number Ten on Walter's Top Ten Celebrity Crushes.
AKA: C.J. Cregg
Film credits: Juno, Hairspray, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Celebrity, The Hours
Janney appeared in both Juno and Hairspray last year, two movies which ended up getting a number of Hollmann Award Nominations. Though Janney has yet to be nominated for the Hollmann, she is Number Ten on Walter's Top Ten Celebrity Crushes.
Rue McClanahan
AKA: Blanche Devereaux
Film credits: Out to Sea, The Fighting Temptations, Hollywood After Dark, The Grass Eater, Starship Troopers
Like Arthur, McClanahan is a regular of the Hollmann Awards, having presented trailers for Children of Men in 2007 and I'm Not There in 2008, both Best Picture nominees in their respective years. Recently, she appeared on Broadway as Mme. Morrible in Wicked.
AKA: Blanche Devereaux
Film credits: Out to Sea, The Fighting Temptations, Hollywood After Dark, The Grass Eater, Starship Troopers
Like Arthur, McClanahan is a regular of the Hollmann Awards, having presented trailers for Children of Men in 2007 and I'm Not There in 2008, both Best Picture nominees in their respective years. Recently, she appeared on Broadway as Mme. Morrible in Wicked.
Geraldine McEwan
AKA: Miss Jane Marple
Film credits: THE MAGDALENE SISTERS, Vanity Fair, Love's Labour's Lost, Titus, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
After three seasons of Marple, McEwan has more or less retired after an accident injured her hip. She is an acclaimed actress and director who refused to become a DAME, because she's just boss like that. She has yet to appear on the Hollmann Awards.
AKA: Miss Jane Marple
Film credits: THE MAGDALENE SISTERS, Vanity Fair, Love's Labour's Lost, Titus, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
After three seasons of Marple, McEwan has more or less retired after an accident injured her hip. She is an acclaimed actress and director who refused to become a DAME, because she's just boss like that. She has yet to appear on the Hollmann Awards.
Helen Mirren
AKA: The Queen
Film credits: Gosford Park, The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu, The Queen, The Prince of Egypt, Caligula
Mirren has appeared twice on the Hollmann Awards. The first time was to accept the award for Best Actress in 2007, for her acclaimed portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen. The second was to present Best Actor in 2008, an award which went to Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood. She is Number Nine on Walter's Top Ten Celebrity Crushes.
AKA: The Queen
Film credits: Gosford Park, The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu, The Queen, The Prince of Egypt, Caligula
Mirren has appeared twice on the Hollmann Awards. The first time was to accept the award for Best Actress in 2007, for her acclaimed portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen. The second was to present Best Actor in 2008, an award which went to Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood. She is Number Nine on Walter's Top Ten Celebrity Crushes.
Alicia Silverstone
AKA: Batgirl
Film credits: Clueless, Love's Labour's Lost, Batman & Robin, Blast from the Past, Beauty Shop
Silverstone is greatly missed, and kind of reminds me of Cybill Sheperd in At Long Last Love. Only, you know, less annoying. She has appeared in a number of television programs recently, but none of done well. Remember when she was the It Girl of the 90s?
AKA: Batgirl
Film credits: Clueless, Love's Labour's Lost, Batman & Robin, Blast from the Past, Beauty Shop
Silverstone is greatly missed, and kind of reminds me of Cybill Sheperd in At Long Last Love. Only, you know, less annoying. She has appeared in a number of television programs recently, but none of done well. Remember when she was the It Girl of the 90s?
Maggie Smith
AKA: Goddess
Film credits: Death on the Nile, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, California Suite, A Room with a View, The Secret Garden
Smith is the Greatest Living Actress of All Time. Think about that.
AKA: Goddess
Film credits: Death on the Nile, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, California Suite, A Room with a View, The Secret Garden
Smith is the Greatest Living Actress of All Time. Think about that.
Lily Tomlin
AKA: Linnea Reese
Film credits: A Prairie Home Companion, Short Cuts, Nashville, Tea with Mussolini, Shadows and Fog
Tomlin is a highly-accomplished comedienne, with four Emmys, two Tonys, and a Grammy, as well as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and an Oscar nomination for her debut role in Nashville. Though yet to be nominated at the Hollmann Awards, last year she introduced the trailer for Best Picture nominee Hairspray.
AKA: Linnea Reese
Film credits: A Prairie Home Companion, Short Cuts, Nashville, Tea with Mussolini, Shadows and Fog
Tomlin is a highly-accomplished comedienne, with four Emmys, two Tonys, and a Grammy, as well as the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and an Oscar nomination for her debut role in Nashville. Though yet to be nominated at the Hollmann Awards, last year she introduced the trailer for Best Picture nominee Hairspray.
Betty White
AKA: Rose Nylund
Film credits: Lake Placid, Bringing Down the House
White is the third Golden Girl to have regularly appeared at the Hollmann Awards, presenting trailers for Best Picture nominees. In 2007, she had the honor of introducing the Winner for Best Original Score and Best Picture, Pan's Labyrinth. In 2008, she introduced Zodiac.
AKA: Rose Nylund
Film credits: Lake Placid, Bringing Down the House
White is the third Golden Girl to have regularly appeared at the Hollmann Awards, presenting trailers for Best Picture nominees. In 2007, she had the honor of introducing the Winner for Best Original Score and Best Picture, Pan's Labyrinth. In 2008, she introduced Zodiac.
I don't care how you vote. Rank 'em, do a tie, do a ten-way tie, any way you want. Just know that whoever you choose, you're stuck with them for an entire awards presentation.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Hollmann Awards
For the past two years over on my livejournal, I've been hosting the Hollmann Awards, a creatively-named testament to my superior film knowledge. Nominees are announced the day before the Oscar nominees are, and the awards are also given the day before their ceremony.
The Hollmann Awards started in 2006, and I greatly regret not doing them in 2005. However, here's a quick run-down of the history of the Hollmann Awards.'
2006
Hosted by Philip Baker Hall, nominations announced by Gary Coleman, guest appearances by Bea Arthur, Fran Drescher, Rue McClanahan & Betty White.
BEST PICTURE: Pan's Labyrinth
BEST DIRECTOR: Robert Altman, A Prairie Home Companion
BEST ACTOR: Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat
BEST ACTRESS: Helen Mirren, The Queen
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Jack Nicholson, The Departed & Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Meryl Streep, A Prairie Home Companion
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Michel Gondry, The Science of Sleep
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: William Monahan, The Departed
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Javier Navarrete, Pan's Labyrinth
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: You Know My Name, Casino Royale
2007
Hosted by Patricia Clarkson, nominations announced by Philip Baker Hall, guest appearances by Bea Arthur, Lauren Bacall, Rue McClanahan, Lily Tomlin & Betty White
BEST PICTURE: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST DIRECTOR: Andrew Dominik, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
BEST ACTRESS: Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Bruce Greenwood, I'm Not There
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Brad Bird, Ratatouille
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
And this year...well, who knows? Patricia Clarkson will be doing the nominations and presenting Best Picture at the ceremonies. I'll be putting up a list of all films eligible, plus an additional 25 semi-finalists in each category.
The Hollmann Awards started in 2006, and I greatly regret not doing them in 2005. However, here's a quick run-down of the history of the Hollmann Awards.'
2006
Hosted by Philip Baker Hall, nominations announced by Gary Coleman, guest appearances by Bea Arthur, Fran Drescher, Rue McClanahan & Betty White.
BEST PICTURE: Pan's Labyrinth
BEST DIRECTOR: Robert Altman, A Prairie Home Companion
BEST ACTOR: Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat
BEST ACTRESS: Helen Mirren, The Queen
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Jack Nicholson, The Departed & Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Meryl Streep, A Prairie Home Companion
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Michel Gondry, The Science of Sleep
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: William Monahan, The Departed
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Javier Navarrete, Pan's Labyrinth
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: You Know My Name, Casino Royale
2007
Hosted by Patricia Clarkson, nominations announced by Philip Baker Hall, guest appearances by Bea Arthur, Lauren Bacall, Rue McClanahan, Lily Tomlin & Betty White
BEST PICTURE: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST DIRECTOR: Andrew Dominik, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
BEST ACTRESS: Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Bruce Greenwood, I'm Not There
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Brad Bird, Ratatouille
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
And this year...well, who knows? Patricia Clarkson will be doing the nominations and presenting Best Picture at the ceremonies. I'll be putting up a list of all films eligible, plus an additional 25 semi-finalists in each category.
The Brits
The BAFTAs announced today, and that's always interesting. They allow double nominees in acting categories, say "FUCK YOU" to category fraud, and have the tendency to surprise us all. Even if they have the same movies, they nominate them in unfamiliar categories. Let's just look.
BEST FILM
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: So, I kind of figured they'd nominate The Reader, but I'm surprised they got Milk. It's a much more American tale than, say, Frost/Nixon. I figured Doubt would be more their style. Live and learn.
DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Clint Eastwood, Changeling
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
REACTION: No Nolan is a bit of a shock, but even more so is the inclusion of Clint Eastwood for Changeling. I guess they love him across the pond more than we do here. Good movie, but I wouldn't nominate Eastwood above Nolan.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Philippe Claudel, I've Loved You So Long
Ethan Coen/Joel Coen, Burn After Reading
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
J. Michael Straczynski, Changeling
REACTION: All Awesome on the McDonagh Front. I like how DLB is the only nominee getting any Oscar heat as well. The Coens are deserving, Straczynski, less so.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Justin Haythe, Revolutionary Road
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
REACTION: No surprises here.
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Gomorrah
I've Loved You So Long
Persepolis
Waltz with Bashir
REACTION: Interesting thing here. First off, BAFTA does not limit one entry per country, as France has both I've Loved You So Long and Persepolis. Also, release dates are wonky, since Persepolis was a 2007 release in most other places. Also, there are two animated films in competition here. BAFTA is odd.
ANIMATED FILM
Persepolis
WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir
REACTION: Persepolis, am I right?
LEADING ACTOR
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
REACTION: See, BAFTA gets it. Dev Patel is the lead, not a supporting player. Otherwise, the usual suspects are there.
LEADING ACTRESS
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: This is what I mean. Kate is the lead in two movies, therefore she gets nominated twice in the lead category. No choosing between roles, no category fraud. Just the truth. Although, having seen 3/5 of the films nominated, I gotta say this is disappointing. Angie? What the hell is BAFTA's deal with Changeling? And why is Kate always nominated when Leo isn't, even though he turns in far more believable performances in their films? At least Meryl's here, but I'm shocked at their snubbing of Happy-Go-Lucky and its star, Sally Hawkins.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Brad Pitt, Burn After Reading
REACTION: Glad they included Pitt and Gleeson in this category. BAFTA has a sense of humor, as proven by 3/5 of this category -- 4, if you include Heath's Joker, but he was never ha-ha funny, more squirmily uncomfortable funny.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Freida Pinto, Slumdog Millionaire
Tilda Swinton, Burn After Reading
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
REACTION: Tilda was much better in Benjamin Button, but I'm glad Burn After Reading is getting so much attention. I'm glad I'm not alone in preferring Adams' turn to Davis's in Doubt. Davis is electric, but Adams does some really subtle work here. The Pinto nom is strange. She's good, but there was far better actressing in far deeper roles this year. Synecdoche, anyone? Was that even eligible?
MUSIC
Benny Andersson/Bjorn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia!
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
James Newton Howard/Hans Zimmer, The Dark Knight
Thomas Newman, WALL-E
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Ma...Mamma Mia? Really? You...you lost me BAFTA. That's not...oh, never mind.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins/Chris Menges, The Reader
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight
Tom Stern, Changeling
REACTION: No, seriously, what's with all the Changeling love? It wasn't, like amazing. It was OK.
EDITING
Kirk Baxter/Angus Wall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Joel Cox/Gary D. Roach, Changeling
Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire
Jon Gregory, In Bruges
Dan Hanley/Mike Hill, Frost/Nixon
Lee Smith, The Dark Knight
REACTION: I really do love the In Bruges party that is the BAFTAs. If only Colin was nominated...
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Donald Graham Burt/Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Nathan Crowley/Peter Lando, The Dark Knight
Michelle Day/Mark Digby, Slumdog Millionaire
Gary Fettis/James J. Murakami, Changeling
Debra Schutt/Kristi Zea, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: That's fine. That's okay.
COSTUME DESIGN
Lindy Hemming, The Dark Knight
Deborah Hopper, Changeling
Michael O'Connor
Jacqueline West, The Curious case of Benjamin Button
Albert Wolsky, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: You know, if it wasn't for technical awards, I would never have a reason to see The Duchess. I was happier before.
SOUND
Ben Burtt/Tom Myers/Michael Semanick/Matthew Wood, WALL-E
Glenn Freemantle/Resul Pookutty/Richard Pryke/Tom Sayers/Ian Tapp, Slumdog Millionaire
Lora Hirschberg/Richard King/Ed Novick/Gary Rizzo, The Dark Knight
Eddy Joseph/Chris Munro/Mike Prestwood Smith/Mark Taylor, Quantum of Solace
Walt Martin / Alan Robert Murray / John Reitz / Gregg Rudloff, Changeling
REACTION: I've decided BAFTA only saw Changeling, and Christmas-treed the rest. Seriously. What am I missing? WALL-E does have some kick-ass sound work, and I like how BAFTA has just one sound category. Easier.
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Eric Barba/Craig Barron/Nathan McGuinness/Edson Williams, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Chris Corbould/Nick Davis/Paul Franklin/Tim Webber, The Dark Knight
Chris Corbould/Kevin Tod Haug, Quantum of Solace
Pablo Helman, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Shane Patrick Mahan/John Nelson/Ben Snow, Iron Man
REACTION: This looks fine, although I recently found out that some very impressive Milk cinematography was actually some kick-ass visual effects. So. Anyway, good list, except that everything looks fake in Indiana Jones, and isn't that just antithetical?
MAKE UP & HAIR
Steven E. Anderson / Michael White, Milk
Jan Archibald/Daniel Phillips, The Duchess
Jean Black / Colleen Callaghan, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Edouard Henriques/Kim Santantonio, Frost/Nixon
Peter Robb-King, The Dark Knight
REACTION: Man, does Frost/Nixon ever deserve that hair nom. I mean, Michael Sheen. That hair.
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
Hunger
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Man on Wire
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Man, only BAFTA would nominate Mamma Mia! over and over. I love how documentaries get on these lists. That's pretty boss.
THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
Michael Cera
Noel Clarke
Michael Fassbender
Rebecca Hall
Toby Kebbell
REACTION: Not to belittle this "public", but why were Cera and Kebbell not nominated last year? Both had relatively high-profile films last year, released in Britain in time for awards consideration, so...? Also, I hate to sound ignorant, but who is Noel Clarke?
BEST FILM
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: So, I kind of figured they'd nominate The Reader, but I'm surprised they got Milk. It's a much more American tale than, say, Frost/Nixon. I figured Doubt would be more their style. Live and learn.
DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Clint Eastwood, Changeling
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
REACTION: No Nolan is a bit of a shock, but even more so is the inclusion of Clint Eastwood for Changeling. I guess they love him across the pond more than we do here. Good movie, but I wouldn't nominate Eastwood above Nolan.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Philippe Claudel, I've Loved You So Long
Ethan Coen/Joel Coen, Burn After Reading
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
J. Michael Straczynski, Changeling
REACTION: All Awesome on the McDonagh Front. I like how DLB is the only nominee getting any Oscar heat as well. The Coens are deserving, Straczynski, less so.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Justin Haythe, Revolutionary Road
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
REACTION: No surprises here.
FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Gomorrah
I've Loved You So Long
Persepolis
Waltz with Bashir
REACTION: Interesting thing here. First off, BAFTA does not limit one entry per country, as France has both I've Loved You So Long and Persepolis. Also, release dates are wonky, since Persepolis was a 2007 release in most other places. Also, there are two animated films in competition here. BAFTA is odd.
ANIMATED FILM
Persepolis
WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir
REACTION: Persepolis, am I right?
LEADING ACTOR
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
REACTION: See, BAFTA gets it. Dev Patel is the lead, not a supporting player. Otherwise, the usual suspects are there.
LEADING ACTRESS
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: This is what I mean. Kate is the lead in two movies, therefore she gets nominated twice in the lead category. No choosing between roles, no category fraud. Just the truth. Although, having seen 3/5 of the films nominated, I gotta say this is disappointing. Angie? What the hell is BAFTA's deal with Changeling? And why is Kate always nominated when Leo isn't, even though he turns in far more believable performances in their films? At least Meryl's here, but I'm shocked at their snubbing of Happy-Go-Lucky and its star, Sally Hawkins.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Brad Pitt, Burn After Reading
REACTION: Glad they included Pitt and Gleeson in this category. BAFTA has a sense of humor, as proven by 3/5 of this category -- 4, if you include Heath's Joker, but he was never ha-ha funny, more squirmily uncomfortable funny.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Freida Pinto, Slumdog Millionaire
Tilda Swinton, Burn After Reading
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
REACTION: Tilda was much better in Benjamin Button, but I'm glad Burn After Reading is getting so much attention. I'm glad I'm not alone in preferring Adams' turn to Davis's in Doubt. Davis is electric, but Adams does some really subtle work here. The Pinto nom is strange. She's good, but there was far better actressing in far deeper roles this year. Synecdoche, anyone? Was that even eligible?
MUSIC
Benny Andersson/Bjorn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia!
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
James Newton Howard/Hans Zimmer, The Dark Knight
Thomas Newman, WALL-E
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Ma...Mamma Mia? Really? You...you lost me BAFTA. That's not...oh, never mind.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins/Chris Menges, The Reader
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight
Tom Stern, Changeling
REACTION: No, seriously, what's with all the Changeling love? It wasn't, like amazing. It was OK.
EDITING
Kirk Baxter/Angus Wall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Joel Cox/Gary D. Roach, Changeling
Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire
Jon Gregory, In Bruges
Dan Hanley/Mike Hill, Frost/Nixon
Lee Smith, The Dark Knight
REACTION: I really do love the In Bruges party that is the BAFTAs. If only Colin was nominated...
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Donald Graham Burt/Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Nathan Crowley/Peter Lando, The Dark Knight
Michelle Day/Mark Digby, Slumdog Millionaire
Gary Fettis/James J. Murakami, Changeling
Debra Schutt/Kristi Zea, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: That's fine. That's okay.
COSTUME DESIGN
Lindy Hemming, The Dark Knight
Deborah Hopper, Changeling
Michael O'Connor
Jacqueline West, The Curious case of Benjamin Button
Albert Wolsky, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: You know, if it wasn't for technical awards, I would never have a reason to see The Duchess. I was happier before.
SOUND
Ben Burtt/Tom Myers/Michael Semanick/Matthew Wood, WALL-E
Glenn Freemantle/Resul Pookutty/Richard Pryke/Tom Sayers/Ian Tapp, Slumdog Millionaire
Lora Hirschberg/Richard King/Ed Novick/Gary Rizzo, The Dark Knight
Eddy Joseph/Chris Munro/Mike Prestwood Smith/Mark Taylor, Quantum of Solace
Walt Martin / Alan Robert Murray / John Reitz / Gregg Rudloff, Changeling
REACTION: I've decided BAFTA only saw Changeling, and Christmas-treed the rest. Seriously. What am I missing? WALL-E does have some kick-ass sound work, and I like how BAFTA has just one sound category. Easier.
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Eric Barba/Craig Barron/Nathan McGuinness/Edson Williams, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Chris Corbould/Nick Davis/Paul Franklin/Tim Webber, The Dark Knight
Chris Corbould/Kevin Tod Haug, Quantum of Solace
Pablo Helman, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Shane Patrick Mahan/John Nelson/Ben Snow, Iron Man
REACTION: This looks fine, although I recently found out that some very impressive Milk cinematography was actually some kick-ass visual effects. So. Anyway, good list, except that everything looks fake in Indiana Jones, and isn't that just antithetical?
MAKE UP & HAIR
Steven E. Anderson / Michael White, Milk
Jan Archibald/Daniel Phillips, The Duchess
Jean Black / Colleen Callaghan, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Edouard Henriques/Kim Santantonio, Frost/Nixon
Peter Robb-King, The Dark Knight
REACTION: Man, does Frost/Nixon ever deserve that hair nom. I mean, Michael Sheen. That hair.
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
Hunger
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Man on Wire
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Man, only BAFTA would nominate Mamma Mia! over and over. I love how documentaries get on these lists. That's pretty boss.
THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
Michael Cera
Noel Clarke
Michael Fassbender
Rebecca Hall
Toby Kebbell
REACTION: Not to belittle this "public", but why were Cera and Kebbell not nominated last year? Both had relatively high-profile films last year, released in Britain in time for awards consideration, so...? Also, I hate to sound ignorant, but who is Noel Clarke?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Four Down, Still More to Go
Good weekend for movie-watching. Bad weekend for Globe-watching. But you know, I'd rather I'd see the films than watch the Oscars cluelessly, you know. Who cares if I missed the Globes? Who cares if I missed Drew Barrymore's unparalleled beauty? Who cares if I missed Colin Farrell winning Best Actor?
Well, okay, I do. A little. But at least I'm almost caught up!
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Boy, did I not know what to think going in. All of my friends loved it, and all of my favorite critics said it was fine, decent, okay, but not GREAT. And it was already sweeping awards, so I guess I came in a little wary. But Lord almighty does this thing win you over! Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is a tea-server, a boy from the slums of Mumbai. He winds up on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and is suspected of cheating when he is one question away from winning. He recounts his life and the effect it had on his answers.
I really enjoyed it. Nay, loved it. A lot. Danny Boyle is one of those who can always hit it out of the park (I have always regretted that Sunshine did not make it to the Hollmann Awards last year, even just for score), and he does a great job here. His directing style suits the material just fine, and the cinematography is breathtaking, simultaneously gritty and beautiful.
And it's a very uplifting tale, too. There are scenes of such brutal violence, such decadence, such debauchery, that many claim that to say such a thing is missing the forest for the trees. I disagree, though. The movie has a happy ending, he overcomes everything despite the shit and piss and bullets and brothels. How is that not uplifting? This is a Dickensian tale, people; that happy ending has to be earned, and earned hard.
Patel is a very natural actor. His first scenes are a little awkward, but upon reflection, I think the fault lies more with his scene partner, Saurabh Shukla (as a violent interrogator). Then Irrfan Kahn steps in as the Police Inspector and things get going. The children are great, adorable and believable. Anil Kapoor is rather groovy as the Millionaire host. The only weak link here is Freida Pinto as the adult version of Jamal's one love, Latika. And not because she's bad; she's actually pretty damn good. Rather, she just looks absolutely NOTHING like the actresses playing her younger selves. Not in the eyes, not in the skin tone, not in the shape of face, nowhere. It's a continuity mishap that just bothered the hell out of me.
Then there's the final "Jai Ho" sequence, in which he learn that Patel may have a future in musicals. And it's joyous and cathartic and uplifting, and it's everything a movie should be. Slumdog does it all. It makes you cringe and wince and puke a little in your mouth, but it also makes you laugh and dance and leap with joy. That's what movies are, man.
THE WRESTLER
An interesting companion piece to Slumdog was this treasure. Darren Aronofsky's unconventional sports film another underdog tale, but one with a bigger bite. The lead, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), is kind of a shit. I mean, you feel bad for him and root for him and want him to succeed, but he's a shit. It's no wonder that his favorite stripper (Marisa Tomei) spurns his affections, and his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) refuses to see him.
In fact, he kind of reminds me of Terrence Howard in Hustle & Flow. God, how you love this man. But at the same time, he is so....helpless. He has dug himself a grave and he's in up to his chest. It's a sad film, a funny film, a sweet film. Rourke is amazing, presenting a human both charming and trashy. Tomei and Wood give able support, and both get killer final scenes, but this is Rourke's show. He owns.
And the song. No wonder he's the Boss.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
God, you know, I still can't get my head around this movie. I read the book, I understand that the protagonists lie to themselves and each other, are continually "acting", so to speak. But I guess the difference is that Leonardo DiCaprio does it, I believe it. I can see a dim, theatrical, high-falutin' man with unpursued dreams that he just waxes on about. We all know that guy. We all have a family member who either dated or is about to get married to one.
But Kate, man. I just didn't buy it. Even if her performance is supposed to be one big false note, even she's supposed to sound as if she's spouting lines instead of speaking like a person, it just left me cold. I can understand people liking the film, I guess, but she just took me out of it. To see a great Winslet performance in a suburban melodrama, check out Little Children instead.
Interestingly, Kate is the only weak link of the film. Director Sam Mendes has some beautiful stuff to work with here. He lingers longer than you think he should, and it just adds to this whole uncomfortable atmosphere riddled throughout the narrative. Thomas Newman's score is simple but elegant, and Roger Deakins' cinematography is...well, it's Deakins, for God's sake! Did you think this wasn't going to be beautiful?
Justin Haythe does an admirable job adapting David Yates' original novel for the screen. I just don't know if all those lines work for a movie. It's like everyone is pretending they're in a movie that takes place in the 1950s, and while this may be true, I don't want to watch a film and know it. That was the problem with Doubt. Everytime I was content, the director or writer or something would decide to pull the rug out from under me and scream, "MOVIE!" Not my cup of tea.
JCVD
And yet, when this film takes a six-minute break so that Jean-Claude Van Damme can address the camera directly in a meta-monologue, it works. The whole film hinges on the fact that Van Damme is a movie star. Everything done here is self-aware: the unrealistic lighting, the opening long take, the constant film references, the aforementioned monologue. But it works.
In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme (Jean-Claude Van Damme) returns to Belgium in the midst of a custody battle with his ex-wife over their daughter. Next thing you know, police gather outside a local post office, and it appears JCVD has locked himself in there with hostages. The rest is like a funnier, Frenchier version of Dog Day Afternoon, right down to a John Cazale lookalike.
The difference between this and Revolutionary Road is that it's a great satire that happens to work on a dramatic level, whereas Road is an okay melodrama that seems to not know whether or not to be a satire. You know? And meanwhile, we learn that Van Damme is actually one of the greatest dramatic actors around. His monologue is penetrating. You kind of giggle at first, but then it's just depressing. Here is a movie star, famous for kicking ass and taking names, now involved in a real-life situation where he can do neither of those things. This ain't the movies, and he's just an actor.
JCVD is splendid, suspenseful and sad. I can't wait for this to get a wider release, because it's definitely a must-see.
Well, okay, I do. A little. But at least I'm almost caught up!
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Boy, did I not know what to think going in. All of my friends loved it, and all of my favorite critics said it was fine, decent, okay, but not GREAT. And it was already sweeping awards, so I guess I came in a little wary. But Lord almighty does this thing win you over! Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is a tea-server, a boy from the slums of Mumbai. He winds up on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and is suspected of cheating when he is one question away from winning. He recounts his life and the effect it had on his answers.
I really enjoyed it. Nay, loved it. A lot. Danny Boyle is one of those who can always hit it out of the park (I have always regretted that Sunshine did not make it to the Hollmann Awards last year, even just for score), and he does a great job here. His directing style suits the material just fine, and the cinematography is breathtaking, simultaneously gritty and beautiful.
And it's a very uplifting tale, too. There are scenes of such brutal violence, such decadence, such debauchery, that many claim that to say such a thing is missing the forest for the trees. I disagree, though. The movie has a happy ending, he overcomes everything despite the shit and piss and bullets and brothels. How is that not uplifting? This is a Dickensian tale, people; that happy ending has to be earned, and earned hard.
Patel is a very natural actor. His first scenes are a little awkward, but upon reflection, I think the fault lies more with his scene partner, Saurabh Shukla (as a violent interrogator). Then Irrfan Kahn steps in as the Police Inspector and things get going. The children are great, adorable and believable. Anil Kapoor is rather groovy as the Millionaire host. The only weak link here is Freida Pinto as the adult version of Jamal's one love, Latika. And not because she's bad; she's actually pretty damn good. Rather, she just looks absolutely NOTHING like the actresses playing her younger selves. Not in the eyes, not in the skin tone, not in the shape of face, nowhere. It's a continuity mishap that just bothered the hell out of me.
Then there's the final "Jai Ho" sequence, in which he learn that Patel may have a future in musicals. And it's joyous and cathartic and uplifting, and it's everything a movie should be. Slumdog does it all. It makes you cringe and wince and puke a little in your mouth, but it also makes you laugh and dance and leap with joy. That's what movies are, man.
THE WRESTLER
An interesting companion piece to Slumdog was this treasure. Darren Aronofsky's unconventional sports film another underdog tale, but one with a bigger bite. The lead, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke), is kind of a shit. I mean, you feel bad for him and root for him and want him to succeed, but he's a shit. It's no wonder that his favorite stripper (Marisa Tomei) spurns his affections, and his daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) refuses to see him.
In fact, he kind of reminds me of Terrence Howard in Hustle & Flow. God, how you love this man. But at the same time, he is so....helpless. He has dug himself a grave and he's in up to his chest. It's a sad film, a funny film, a sweet film. Rourke is amazing, presenting a human both charming and trashy. Tomei and Wood give able support, and both get killer final scenes, but this is Rourke's show. He owns.
And the song. No wonder he's the Boss.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
God, you know, I still can't get my head around this movie. I read the book, I understand that the protagonists lie to themselves and each other, are continually "acting", so to speak. But I guess the difference is that Leonardo DiCaprio does it, I believe it. I can see a dim, theatrical, high-falutin' man with unpursued dreams that he just waxes on about. We all know that guy. We all have a family member who either dated or is about to get married to one.
But Kate, man. I just didn't buy it. Even if her performance is supposed to be one big false note, even she's supposed to sound as if she's spouting lines instead of speaking like a person, it just left me cold. I can understand people liking the film, I guess, but she just took me out of it. To see a great Winslet performance in a suburban melodrama, check out Little Children instead.
Interestingly, Kate is the only weak link of the film. Director Sam Mendes has some beautiful stuff to work with here. He lingers longer than you think he should, and it just adds to this whole uncomfortable atmosphere riddled throughout the narrative. Thomas Newman's score is simple but elegant, and Roger Deakins' cinematography is...well, it's Deakins, for God's sake! Did you think this wasn't going to be beautiful?
Justin Haythe does an admirable job adapting David Yates' original novel for the screen. I just don't know if all those lines work for a movie. It's like everyone is pretending they're in a movie that takes place in the 1950s, and while this may be true, I don't want to watch a film and know it. That was the problem with Doubt. Everytime I was content, the director or writer or something would decide to pull the rug out from under me and scream, "MOVIE!" Not my cup of tea.
JCVD
And yet, when this film takes a six-minute break so that Jean-Claude Van Damme can address the camera directly in a meta-monologue, it works. The whole film hinges on the fact that Van Damme is a movie star. Everything done here is self-aware: the unrealistic lighting, the opening long take, the constant film references, the aforementioned monologue. But it works.
In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme (Jean-Claude Van Damme) returns to Belgium in the midst of a custody battle with his ex-wife over their daughter. Next thing you know, police gather outside a local post office, and it appears JCVD has locked himself in there with hostages. The rest is like a funnier, Frenchier version of Dog Day Afternoon, right down to a John Cazale lookalike.
The difference between this and Revolutionary Road is that it's a great satire that happens to work on a dramatic level, whereas Road is an okay melodrama that seems to not know whether or not to be a satire. You know? And meanwhile, we learn that Van Damme is actually one of the greatest dramatic actors around. His monologue is penetrating. You kind of giggle at first, but then it's just depressing. Here is a movie star, famous for kicking ass and taking names, now involved in a real-life situation where he can do neither of those things. This ain't the movies, and he's just an actor.
JCVD is splendid, suspenseful and sad. I can't wait for this to get a wider release, because it's definitely a must-see.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Golden Globes Results
Well, now that I've actually caught up a bit on films, I can give an honest reaction to last night's Golden Globes.
BEST PICTURE - DRAMA
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: No argument here. I just saw Slumdog, and it's everything people are saying it is. Uplifting, inspiring, romantic, incredible. Guessed right, I did.
BEST PICTURE - COMEDY/MUSICAL
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
REACTION: Let the joyous news at last be spread: Woody's career's no longer dead! I predicted Happy-Go-Lucky incorrectly, but I am VERY happy with this choice. ECSTATIC.
BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
REACTION: Rourke, Penn, Langella, DiCaprio and Pitt all turned in some career-best performances. I really would have been happy no matter who won. I predicted Sean Penn for Milk, but Rourke will do just fine, thank you.
BEST ACTOR - COMEDY/MUSICAL
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
REACTION: Called it. Deserved it. Let's move on.
BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: I dunno. She was good, but this performance just didn't ring true for me. Still, it was great to see her win something, and awesome to see her win everything. I'd give it to her over Jolie, too.
BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY/MUSICAL
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
REACTION: Called it. Loved it. Let's move on.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
REACTION: See above.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Winslet, The Reader
REACTION: Hoo-ah! This is a shock! Two awards in one ceremony? If only she had done a musical this year, too. I'm surprised neither Cruz nor Davis got it, but oh well. Still need to see this one.
BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: I predicted Fincher, but I can't complain. Boyle's the fucking man, man.
BEST SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: And I still need to read this one. It sounded great, though! Hurrah!
BEST PICTURE - DRAMA
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: No argument here. I just saw Slumdog, and it's everything people are saying it is. Uplifting, inspiring, romantic, incredible. Guessed right, I did.
BEST PICTURE - COMEDY/MUSICAL
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
REACTION: Let the joyous news at last be spread: Woody's career's no longer dead! I predicted Happy-Go-Lucky incorrectly, but I am VERY happy with this choice. ECSTATIC.
BEST ACTOR - DRAMA
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
REACTION: Rourke, Penn, Langella, DiCaprio and Pitt all turned in some career-best performances. I really would have been happy no matter who won. I predicted Sean Penn for Milk, but Rourke will do just fine, thank you.
BEST ACTOR - COMEDY/MUSICAL
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
REACTION: Called it. Deserved it. Let's move on.
BEST ACTRESS - DRAMA
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: I dunno. She was good, but this performance just didn't ring true for me. Still, it was great to see her win something, and awesome to see her win everything. I'd give it to her over Jolie, too.
BEST ACTRESS - COMEDY/MUSICAL
Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
REACTION: Called it. Loved it. Let's move on.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
REACTION: See above.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Winslet, The Reader
REACTION: Hoo-ah! This is a shock! Two awards in one ceremony? If only she had done a musical this year, too. I'm surprised neither Cruz nor Davis got it, but oh well. Still need to see this one.
BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: I predicted Fincher, but I can't complain. Boyle's the fucking man, man.
BEST SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: And I still need to read this one. It sounded great, though! Hurrah!
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