Oscar-winning amazing performances(Elimination Game), Saturday Night Live (Season 39) Thread, What is your favourite Best-Actress winning performance in last 8 years?, TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR - Who would you nominate?, What were the Best Directed Comedy and Drama Episodes of this Season, Mad Men (SEASON 6) Thread, Best Supporting Actress 2013, Rate The Song #3, The 2013 Emmy Awards Discussion: Drama Categories Part 3, Goldderby Q&A Thread (Pt. 13)
Welcome - Make Your Predictions! Give Us Feedback!, Oscars, Golden Globes and Film Awards, Primetime Emmys, Daytime Emmys, Tony Awards, Grammys and Music Awards, General Discussion: All Non-Award Topics, Games! Games! Let's Play Games!, Report SPAM Here, Polls! Polls! Who Should Give Back Their Oscar? , Daytime Emmys Judging 2012, Daytime Emmys Judging - 2011
Advertisement
| May 5th 2012, 23:46 |
|
|
|
A BETTER LIFE (possible spoilers in write-up!) Halfway through this movie about a father and son struggling to make it in life, i was reminded of Bicycle Thief and The Pursuit of Happyness. The heartwrenching tale about illegal immigrants also brought back memories of El Norte and parts of Babel. Oscar-nominated Demian Bichir is superb as the father who is prepared to do anything for his precious son, played by an equally impressive Jose Julian. The latter's character is at times rebellious and at times peevish, but he still comes through for his father when the situation calls for it. This is a wonderful two-character study that is as compelling as the two similar films mentioned earlier with it. I saw this movie while my wife went to see The Lady at the same movieplex. She came out saying how well done The Lady was, and asked why it received no Oscar nominations. |
| May 6th 2012, 02:09 |
|
|
|
BILLY ELLIOT Stephen Daldry, 2000 Set in northern England in the coal miners' strike during the Thatcher years, an 11-year-old boy fights against his impoverished circumstances and family disapproval to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer. The movie received three Oscar nominations, including director, screenplay (Lee Hall, who also co-wrote WAR HORSE), and supporting actress (Julie Walters, who is brilliant). Jamie Bell in his debut is a revelation as Billy, whose dancing is full of passion and "electricity," reflecting his pain and his escape through the freedom and movement of dance. Unfortunately, the film received an "R" rating for adult language, which effectively put it out of reach of most children. The character of Billy Elliot is an inspiration, for his courage in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds and obstacles, and for not rejecting his best friend, who comes out as gay. I also enjoyed the soundtrack, featuring classic songs by T-Rex, The Clash, and The Jam. Grade for BILLY ELLIOT: B+ |
| May 9th 2012, 00:58 |
|
|
|
MULHOLLAND DRIVE David Lynch, 2001 "...and now I'm in this dream place..." The greatest movies are like beautiful dreams, or horrifying nightmares; MULHOLLAND DRIVE is both. Personally, I am grateful that tonight I am no longer a lone wolf howling in the dark, for at the heart of this psycho-thriller puzzle is a gay love story, and an unforgettable one at that. Naomi Watts gives the performance of a lifetime--the audition scene alone should have netted her an Oscar nomination and would have made a worthy winner. Laura Harring is also excellent, and there are a number of phenomenal supporting performances including Rebekah Del Rio singing Roy Orbison and Joe Melson's Crying ("Llorando"). I also enjoyed Angelo Badalamenti's original score (as always). At least somebody in the Academy, shockingly, had the good sense and good taste to nominate David Lynch for best director--and he should have won. MULHOLLAND DRIVE rightfully takes it place alongside the greatest Los Angeles film noirs such as THE BIG SLEEP and CHINATOWN. Cahiers du cinéma called MULHOLLAND DRIVE the best picture of the decade (2000-2010), and I am inclined to agree. Welcome to Club Silencio... Grade for MULHOLLAND DRIVE: A+ |
| May 9th 2012, 23:38 |
|
|
|
CLUELESS Amy Heckerling, 1995 Our "Dan Hedaya Film Festival" continues with this modern update of Jane Austen's novel Emma. Ordinarily I loathe most teen comedies, but this one is actually funny and witty. Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd are just adorable, with a great supporting cast. The luxe Beverly Hills setting is a tad much, although redeemed by satire; the film's color palette pops and the costumes are fabulous. GAY CHARACTER(S) WATCH: Yep--the boy loves to shop, and he can dress. Grade for CLUELESS: B+ |
| May 10th 2012, 05:11 |
|
|
|
House of Sand and Fog - I was really surprised by this film actually; it was much more poignant that I thought it would be but I don't know if I agree with the acting nominations for this. All of the performances were so solid but it was definitely more of a ensemble film. I've Loved You So Long - Great film anchored by Kristin Scott Thomas' very honest portrayal. How was she not nominated for Best Actress? Would have rather seen her nominated than Melissa Leo. Changeling - Super surprised by Angelina Jolie in this; she actually made me forget who her stardom and made me invested in the mother's story. Walk the Line - After rewatching I realized I wouldn't have been angry with Witherspoon winning an Oscar if it was for supporting actress but she was in no way a lead actress in this film. Sure, she had the most screentime for a female character but she was not lead. |
| May 11th 2012, 16:40 |
|
|
|
'Red Tails', 2012 Dir.- Anthony Hemingway So stupid... I don't have much to say. The screenplay is the primary problem. Not a single line is uttered that isn't a cheesy cliche. The actors play types of characters, not actual characters. That said, it's disappointing as it has a (mostly) talented young cast, though Ne-Yo was quite bad. A waste of time and an insult to the actual Tuskegee airmen who deserve a better film. Review Grade: D+ |
| May 13th 2012, 15:59 |
|
|
|
THE EXPERIMENT Wow, this film boasts two Best Actor Oscar winners, but the only actor who manages to get any attention is the great Cam Gigandet. |
| May 14th 2012, 03:18 |
|
|
|
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS I was disappointed and not impressed at all. Maybe because i already heard so much about the movie, and was expecting too much? But by the halfway mark, i just couldn't wait for the movie to end. And when the end came, it was almost an anticlimax. Bummer! |
| May 14th 2012, 07:35 |
|
|
|
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Brad Bird is one of the best directors working in film today, but most people overlook him because he works in animation. A collection of films like The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille ranks among the best collection of recent films of any currently working director maybe at the top. So what happens when animations greatest director tries his hand at live action? A fantastic action movie. Great set pieces, developed characters, humor, and heart, Bird brought everything he used in his animated films and made a the best film in series. It doesn't quite live up to his Pixar films, but it is one of the most enjoyable and engaging 2011 movies I have seen. I hope Bird doesn't give up animation, but I also hope he does more live action as well. The Descendants Alexander Payne is doesn't have quite the filmography of Brad Bird, but he is another director who can do little wrong. Until he made The Descendants. I didn't feel like this movie and more than a handful of true moments. A plot-driven movie with characters I couldn't care less about. Half-baked themes and storylines. Characters telling us exactly what they are thinking and feeling at all times. Speechifying rather than organically developing. A major, major disappointment. Carnage A short 80-minute film, that still manages to drag at many points. The film feels incomplete, but it was still interesting and engaging at many points. I enjoyed Polanski's use of depth and perspective in his shots, and the set was fantastic. It surely works much better on stage, but as a film it was a moderate success. |
| May 14th 2012, 07:49 |
|
|
|
The Sitter: C- This is one of the laziest films I've ever seen. Every person involved with it knows they can do better. I laughed once throughout the whole film. Shame on you, Jonah Hill. Shame. On. You. |
| May 14th 2012, 15:07 |
|
|
|
It wouldnt have bothered me much or at all if "The Descendants" had won BP. Not that there havent been better ones. The Sunne in Splendour; I prefer my Roses White |
| May 14th 2012, 15:10 |
|
|
|
I wasnt that impressed by the film either, although I liked Richard Jenkins. Always do. By the second half I felt they'd throw the kitchen sink at me. A clown anyone? How about, slime? Loved the cabin though. Evil-Deadish. The Sunne in Splendour; I prefer my Roses White |
| May 15th 2012, 00:45 |
|
|
|
I don't get Hill's appeal in ANY film, but a "C-" is awfully generous for "one of the LAZIEST films" you ever saw. |
| May 15th 2012, 01:41 |
|
|
|
^'Red Tails' is a LAZY film. |
| May 15th 2012, 09:33 |
|
|
|
It wouldn't have bothered me either. It doesn't bother me one way or another what wins any sort of award like that. I did find the film to be a collasal disappointment. |
Facebook Timeline
