Veroinca Mars, that name means a lot of things to a lot of people. Back when the show was on, it meant nothing to me. Sure, as a channel surfing junior high school student, I was aware of it. I never watched it though. It always just seemed like "that weird show on that channel I never watch." It wasn't until last year (years after it had been cancelled) that I actually started paying attention to Veronica Mars. That was when I heard that the show's small, but loyal, fans had funded a film version of Veronica Mars through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.
Since seeing the trailer for the film, I made the decision to go back and see if the show was worth watching. I was hooked from the first episode. The show is about a high school student who uses the detective skills she learned from her P.I. father to solve mysteries for her classmates, as well as solving some of her hometown's biggest mysteries. I won't go into great detail about why the show is great, because that could take all day. What I will say, is that the reasons this show was a critical success with a strong following are clear. Kristen Bell led an ensemble of perfectly cast actors portraying genuinely interesting characters. It's no surprise that many of the show's cast and guest-stars have gone on to be big names in the acting and TV world. Nobody benefited more than Bell whose recent success can be seen (or more appropriately, heard) in the film Frozen. The other element of success was the show's writing. Creator Rob Thomas (no, not the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty) was able to perfectly blend a coming of age story with the gritty world of neo-noir mystery. The show never shied away from the darker elements of life, but it presented them in a way that was far less gruesome than most of today's nihilistic cable dramas.
But beyond all of that, it isn't the greatness of the show that makes this movie an important achievement. Well, at least that isn't the only reason. Why should you care about this movie if you've never seen the show? Because the movie symbolizes possibility. When Veronica Mars was on, its ratings were dismal. There's no reason this film should have been made by Hollywood's standards of decision making. Yet here we are on the day before it hits theaters. If you've ever had a beloved show cancelled, or wondered why Hollywood doesn't make films with strong women taking on gritty situations, then that's reason enough to celebrate the success of this movie. It represents the idea that people actually have a voice that can influence creative change in TV and film.
Veronica Mars was a smartly written show, which means its days on air were always numbered. The average person watching TV or going to the movies isn't looking for something they would classify as "smart" to watch. That isn't a knock on people who watch TV shows or go to movies that I don't deem to be "smart." Reality competition shows are my guilty pleasure, so I get it. The average viewer simply wants to be entertained. There's nothing wrong with that. But that's also no reason for Hollywood to neglect those niches of viewers that are looking for something a little more witty that tests the boundaries of what's conventional. Why should you care about Veronica Mars? Because with it comes the hope for a Hollywood where a small but loyal fan base can bring new creative endeavors to the big screen. I plan on being there at Midnight tonight to catch the film. I encourage you to go give the film a chance, even if you've never seen the show.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Sunday, March 2, 2014
2014 Academy Awards: If I Had a Ballot
I saw a film critic I follow on twitter post an article online simply outlining how he would vote in each category. It's a simple idea, so I thought I would do the same briefly. Unlike this critic though, I haven't seen any of the nominees in some categories such as Foreign Film or Short Film etc., so I will be leaving categories such as that off.
Visual Effects: Gravity
Writing - Adapted Screenplay: 12 Years a Slave
Writing - Original Screenplay: Her
Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto
Actress in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong'o
Sound Editing: Gravity
Sound Mixing: Gravity
Short Film - Animated: Get A Horse!
Production Design: Her
Music - Original Score: Gravity
Music - Original Song: "Let It Go" from Frozen
Makeup and Hairstyling: Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
Film Editing: Gravity
Cinematography: Gravity
Costume Design: American Hustle
Directing: Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Animated Feature Film: Frozen
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Best Picture: Gravity
Visual Effects: Gravity
Writing - Adapted Screenplay: 12 Years a Slave
Writing - Original Screenplay: Her
Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto
Actress in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong'o
Sound Editing: Gravity
Sound Mixing: Gravity
Short Film - Animated: Get A Horse!
Production Design: Her
Music - Original Score: Gravity
Music - Original Song: "Let It Go" from Frozen
Makeup and Hairstyling: Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
Film Editing: Gravity
Cinematography: Gravity
Costume Design: American Hustle
Directing: Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Animated Feature Film: Frozen
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Best Picture: Gravity
2014 Academy Award Overview: Best Picture
This one is going to be a little different. There are nine films nominated for best picture and I want to highlight each of them in some way. Every film nominated isn't realistically a contender to win the award. I'll talk about the films that are nominated, but aren't real contenders. Then I'll talk about the films that have a real shot at winning the award.
Best Picture:
American Hustle
Nebraska
Captain Phillips
Philomena
Dallas Buyers Club
12 Years A Slave
Gravity
The Wolf of Wall Street
Her
The Real Contenders:
American Hustle:
American Hustle is the story of two small time con artists (played by Christian Bale and Amy Adams) who get caught up in an FBI investigation to expose political corruption. All of the characters are caught in a web of lies, and are constantly struggling to get themselves to a better place. This film initially opened with the consensus that it is a good film, but not quite the amazing film that it was hoped to be. As awards season started, a strong campaign surged forward to promote American Hustle as a true contender for Best Picture. The appeal of the film is based around its four main actors: Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper. All four are deserving of their acting nominations in their respective categories. The hitch in Hustle's step is that as far as "con artist" films go, it is hardly the most inventive, funny, or edge of your seat film in the genre. Many films have taken on similar subject matters and done much better.
12 Years A Slave:
12 Years A Slave tells the true story of Solomon Northrup, a black man who was born free, but is betrayed and sold into slavery. It is a raw, brutal, and passionate film that removes any Hollywood notions of slavery being anything but a soul crushing practice that degrades the humanity of everyone involved. The ensemble cast is brilliant, though they have gained less attention than that of American Hustle. What makes 12 Years A Slave a true masterpiece is Solomon Northrup's struggle to hold on to his humanity in the face of heinous crimes against the human spirit. The voice and essence of Northrup bleed into this film in a way that exposes his soul to the world. None of this could have been done without Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o's beautiful acting. There is a line in the film that sums up the entire experience. "Your story is amazing, and in no good way."
Gravity:
Gravity is the story of a woman stranded in outer space and struggling to survive after an unforeseeable disaster. Except that it isn't. The real story of Gravity is that it is a film about the choice that every person must make to either believe and fight for something greater than our sorrows, or to be consumed by them and allow ourselves to float away into the silence. The setting of outer space is less of a necessary structure to the telling of the story, and more of a compliment to it. Gravity is a film of contrasts, much like space itself. Life cannot exist in space. The conditions are extreme. In the same beat, space offers the most visually stunning sights known to man, and a serene silence that a person could get lost in. Director Alfonso Cuaron uses these images to highlight the internal struggle of main character, Ryan Stone (expertly portrayed by Sandra Bullock). When it seems like Stone is fated to die, her character must make the choice to give in, or fight for life. Bullock's performance, in which she anchors most of the film on her own, is one of the most emotionally appealing displays of the year. The film also features a visual and technical mastery that is revolutionary to the craft of film making. It's a testament to Cuaron that he was able to make his vision come to life, and Bullock that she was able to give voice to that vision.
The Other Nominees:
Nebraska:
Nebraksa tells the story of an old man who is starting to lose some of his sense of reality, and his son who feels the obligation to get to know his father better. In the film Bruce Dern portrays the main character, an old man who believes he has won a contest, which his family recognizes is clearly a scam. He insists on going to Nebraska to collect his prize though, and so his son reluctantly drives him there in hopes of growing closer to his father. Watching the father/son relationship unfold, albeit more on the part of the son than the father, on screen is the most rewarding aspect of the film. The film falters in areas, and more than anything was nominated for Alexander Payne's name recognition.
Captain Phillips:
Captain Phillips is the true story of a ship that was boarded by pirates, and the ship's captain who was taken hostage. Tom Hanks' portrayal of the title character drives this film, as does Barkhad Abdi's portrayal of the pirate who takes Phillips hostage. It isn't the most exciting of the nominees on the list, but Captain Phillips features great acting, a well rounded story that explores all perspectives of the event, and enough edge of your seat moments to warrant a nomination. The shame of this film is that Barkhad Abdi's performance won't get the recognition it deserves.
Philomena:
Philomena is the true story of a woman who had her son is taken from her by a group of nuns, and her search to find out what happened to him nearly 50 years later. This is easily the crowd-pleaser of the the group, and I don't mean that pejoratively. For as sad as the subject matter of the film is, there is also a lot of levity, and a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" level of sentiment. Judi Dench carries the film as the titular character. At times the film tries to play the "look at this cheeky old lady" card, but I think Dench tried to take the role seriously, and it shows. It's not the weakest nominee in the group, but the real honor for the film is just being nominated.
Dallas Buyers Club:
Dallas Buyers Club is the story of a man diagnosed with HIV who, upon learning that there is no effective treatment for the disease, starts a buyers club where people diagnosed with the disease can buy vitamins and supplements that help fight the effects of the disease. Dallas Buyers Club's impact is that it shows just how poorly HIV treatment and education were handled in the past. There are warnings about the privatization of scientific research and how uninformed ignorance can lead to prejudice, in the film. The acting here is solid, but I don't think it's so strong that it warrants a win in both male acting categories. If things get really crazy with Best Picture voting, then this might be the film that could sneak past the top three, but I highly doubt that.
Her:
Her tells the story of a lonely man who falls in love with a personalized computer OS while struggling to overcome a divorce he didn't want. This film is probably the most original of the group, at least in concept and plot. The concept of a person falling in love with a computer could have gone very wrong. As a whole, this film is more thought out and well crafted than any of the other non-contenders, and even more than the actual contender American Hustle. Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix should have been nominated for their roles here, but in all honesty, the Best Picture nomination and potential Best Original Screenplay award are more than most films of this status could ask for. Unfortunately for Her (but not for us as viewers), the film didn't go for obvious social messages or slightly witty older actors that are the hallmarks of Academy cherished films.
The Wolf of Wall Street:
I haven't seen this one. I have no desire to see this one. Why America has a fascination with men being a**holes on screen is beyond me. I don't need to see three hours of an overrated actor snorting coke and dropping f bombs. Wouldn't it be a crazy change of character for DiCaprio to try playing a humble character with no money? Just a thought. Not that he needs any help. Like Woody Allen before him, DiCaprio will keep getting money and praise just for doing the same thing over and over again. Wolf won't win, but it's a Scorsese/DiCaprio film, so the nomination is no surprise.
Who Will Win:
As discussed above, the three real contenders for this award are American Hustle, Gravity, and 12 Years A Slave. Not only are these three the top contenders, but many critics are saying that this is the tightest Best Picture race that there has been in years. Let's break this down a little.
American Hustle has two factors that contribute to its contender status. The biggest factor is that it won the Best Ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild awards. In that same vein, the largest voting body for Best Picture are actors, so they tend to vote for actor driven films such as American Hustle. All of that being said, while Hustle used to be considered one of the top two contenders, it's lack of wins from any of the other guild awards has knocked it down to number three status and slowed its momentum significantly. The best chance American Hustle has is if Gravity and 12 Years A Slave split the vote enough for it to pass them.
For being the most critically lauded film (a 97% rotten tomatoes rating, which is the highest of any nominated film), Gravity's chances are far from certain due to a number of factors that help and hurt its chances. First, the pros column. Director Alfonso Cuaron won the Directors Guild Award, and it is almost certain that he will win Best Director at the Oscars this year. This is normally a fairly strong indicator of a film's shot at winning Best Picture, but it's far from a sure thing. Gravity also had a historical tie with 12 Years A Slave to win the Producers Guild Award, which has been a strong predictor of the Best Picture winner in recent years. Since actors tend to vote for actor driven films, that could hurt Gravity's chances because it mostly features one actor, and many actors may see the technical aspects of the film as trying to replace actors in the medium. On the other hand, Gravity's support among the voters who belong to the technical categories is almost a guarantee. Gravity's chances are good, but for a lot of the race it has been considered the number two contender.
12 Years A Slave has been perceived at the leader for much of the race, granted that is by a slim margin. As stated above, it tied for the PGA award with Gravity. Like American Hustle, it features a large ensemble cast, which could appeal to actors in the Academy. Unlike Hustle, 12 Years A Slave has managed to maintain its momentum. It looks like the film might only come away with one acting win despite its three nominations, and even that win isn't a sure bet. Many voters will most likely feel some guilt over not giving Chiwetel Ejiofor the Best Actor award and therefore cast their vote to award this film Best Picture. There is also a strong sense that due to the subject matter of the film, that it "should" win. The sentiment isn't necessarily wrong, but it also isn't necessarily genuine based on how uneven 12 Years A Slave's chances are of winning in other categories this year. If you're playing the odds, this is probably the film to bet on, but don't be too surprised if Gravity has the upper hand, or American Hustle sneaks in there.
Who Should Win:
I'll make this short. I am dying to see Gravity and 12 Years A Slave tie for this win. It happened at the PGA Awards, but critical consensus seems to be that it would be nearly impossible to see it happen at the Academy Awards. Still I can hope. Both films together epitomize film as an art form. I can't really choose a favorite between the two because both are spectacularly well made, and completely different. Whichever one wins (hopefully both!), I'll be happy.
Snubs:
There are plenty of arguments to be made for any number of films that weren't nominated this year. Many people thought that The Butler, Inside Llewyn Davis, Saving Mr. Banks, and August: Osage County would be contenders, but they were mostly left out of the Awards all together. These films all had flaws, but that doesn't mean there isn't a decent argument for some of them being better than some of the films that did make the cut this year. Unlike last year when Beasts of the Southern Wild overcame it's small independent status to get a handful of nominations, the smaller independent films didn't have as much luck this year. Some great smaller independent productions that deserved nominations were Fruitvale Station and Short Term 12. Then of course, there's The Way Way Back, which was a personal favorite of mine this year. I love the blend of humor and drama in the film, but while it was well received by critics, many tried to compare it to other "summer" films, and lost sight of its voice.
Best Picture:
American Hustle
Nebraska
Captain Phillips
Philomena
Dallas Buyers Club
12 Years A Slave
Gravity
The Wolf of Wall Street
Her
The Real Contenders:
American Hustle:
American Hustle is the story of two small time con artists (played by Christian Bale and Amy Adams) who get caught up in an FBI investigation to expose political corruption. All of the characters are caught in a web of lies, and are constantly struggling to get themselves to a better place. This film initially opened with the consensus that it is a good film, but not quite the amazing film that it was hoped to be. As awards season started, a strong campaign surged forward to promote American Hustle as a true contender for Best Picture. The appeal of the film is based around its four main actors: Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper. All four are deserving of their acting nominations in their respective categories. The hitch in Hustle's step is that as far as "con artist" films go, it is hardly the most inventive, funny, or edge of your seat film in the genre. Many films have taken on similar subject matters and done much better.
12 Years A Slave:
12 Years A Slave tells the true story of Solomon Northrup, a black man who was born free, but is betrayed and sold into slavery. It is a raw, brutal, and passionate film that removes any Hollywood notions of slavery being anything but a soul crushing practice that degrades the humanity of everyone involved. The ensemble cast is brilliant, though they have gained less attention than that of American Hustle. What makes 12 Years A Slave a true masterpiece is Solomon Northrup's struggle to hold on to his humanity in the face of heinous crimes against the human spirit. The voice and essence of Northrup bleed into this film in a way that exposes his soul to the world. None of this could have been done without Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o's beautiful acting. There is a line in the film that sums up the entire experience. "Your story is amazing, and in no good way."
Gravity:
Gravity is the story of a woman stranded in outer space and struggling to survive after an unforeseeable disaster. Except that it isn't. The real story of Gravity is that it is a film about the choice that every person must make to either believe and fight for something greater than our sorrows, or to be consumed by them and allow ourselves to float away into the silence. The setting of outer space is less of a necessary structure to the telling of the story, and more of a compliment to it. Gravity is a film of contrasts, much like space itself. Life cannot exist in space. The conditions are extreme. In the same beat, space offers the most visually stunning sights known to man, and a serene silence that a person could get lost in. Director Alfonso Cuaron uses these images to highlight the internal struggle of main character, Ryan Stone (expertly portrayed by Sandra Bullock). When it seems like Stone is fated to die, her character must make the choice to give in, or fight for life. Bullock's performance, in which she anchors most of the film on her own, is one of the most emotionally appealing displays of the year. The film also features a visual and technical mastery that is revolutionary to the craft of film making. It's a testament to Cuaron that he was able to make his vision come to life, and Bullock that she was able to give voice to that vision.
The Other Nominees:
Nebraska:
Nebraksa tells the story of an old man who is starting to lose some of his sense of reality, and his son who feels the obligation to get to know his father better. In the film Bruce Dern portrays the main character, an old man who believes he has won a contest, which his family recognizes is clearly a scam. He insists on going to Nebraska to collect his prize though, and so his son reluctantly drives him there in hopes of growing closer to his father. Watching the father/son relationship unfold, albeit more on the part of the son than the father, on screen is the most rewarding aspect of the film. The film falters in areas, and more than anything was nominated for Alexander Payne's name recognition.
Captain Phillips:
Captain Phillips is the true story of a ship that was boarded by pirates, and the ship's captain who was taken hostage. Tom Hanks' portrayal of the title character drives this film, as does Barkhad Abdi's portrayal of the pirate who takes Phillips hostage. It isn't the most exciting of the nominees on the list, but Captain Phillips features great acting, a well rounded story that explores all perspectives of the event, and enough edge of your seat moments to warrant a nomination. The shame of this film is that Barkhad Abdi's performance won't get the recognition it deserves.
Philomena:
Philomena is the true story of a woman who had her son is taken from her by a group of nuns, and her search to find out what happened to him nearly 50 years later. This is easily the crowd-pleaser of the the group, and I don't mean that pejoratively. For as sad as the subject matter of the film is, there is also a lot of levity, and a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" level of sentiment. Judi Dench carries the film as the titular character. At times the film tries to play the "look at this cheeky old lady" card, but I think Dench tried to take the role seriously, and it shows. It's not the weakest nominee in the group, but the real honor for the film is just being nominated.
Dallas Buyers Club:
Dallas Buyers Club is the story of a man diagnosed with HIV who, upon learning that there is no effective treatment for the disease, starts a buyers club where people diagnosed with the disease can buy vitamins and supplements that help fight the effects of the disease. Dallas Buyers Club's impact is that it shows just how poorly HIV treatment and education were handled in the past. There are warnings about the privatization of scientific research and how uninformed ignorance can lead to prejudice, in the film. The acting here is solid, but I don't think it's so strong that it warrants a win in both male acting categories. If things get really crazy with Best Picture voting, then this might be the film that could sneak past the top three, but I highly doubt that.
Her:
Her tells the story of a lonely man who falls in love with a personalized computer OS while struggling to overcome a divorce he didn't want. This film is probably the most original of the group, at least in concept and plot. The concept of a person falling in love with a computer could have gone very wrong. As a whole, this film is more thought out and well crafted than any of the other non-contenders, and even more than the actual contender American Hustle. Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix should have been nominated for their roles here, but in all honesty, the Best Picture nomination and potential Best Original Screenplay award are more than most films of this status could ask for. Unfortunately for Her (but not for us as viewers), the film didn't go for obvious social messages or slightly witty older actors that are the hallmarks of Academy cherished films.
The Wolf of Wall Street:
I haven't seen this one. I have no desire to see this one. Why America has a fascination with men being a**holes on screen is beyond me. I don't need to see three hours of an overrated actor snorting coke and dropping f bombs. Wouldn't it be a crazy change of character for DiCaprio to try playing a humble character with no money? Just a thought. Not that he needs any help. Like Woody Allen before him, DiCaprio will keep getting money and praise just for doing the same thing over and over again. Wolf won't win, but it's a Scorsese/DiCaprio film, so the nomination is no surprise.
Who Will Win:
As discussed above, the three real contenders for this award are American Hustle, Gravity, and 12 Years A Slave. Not only are these three the top contenders, but many critics are saying that this is the tightest Best Picture race that there has been in years. Let's break this down a little.
American Hustle has two factors that contribute to its contender status. The biggest factor is that it won the Best Ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild awards. In that same vein, the largest voting body for Best Picture are actors, so they tend to vote for actor driven films such as American Hustle. All of that being said, while Hustle used to be considered one of the top two contenders, it's lack of wins from any of the other guild awards has knocked it down to number three status and slowed its momentum significantly. The best chance American Hustle has is if Gravity and 12 Years A Slave split the vote enough for it to pass them.
For being the most critically lauded film (a 97% rotten tomatoes rating, which is the highest of any nominated film), Gravity's chances are far from certain due to a number of factors that help and hurt its chances. First, the pros column. Director Alfonso Cuaron won the Directors Guild Award, and it is almost certain that he will win Best Director at the Oscars this year. This is normally a fairly strong indicator of a film's shot at winning Best Picture, but it's far from a sure thing. Gravity also had a historical tie with 12 Years A Slave to win the Producers Guild Award, which has been a strong predictor of the Best Picture winner in recent years. Since actors tend to vote for actor driven films, that could hurt Gravity's chances because it mostly features one actor, and many actors may see the technical aspects of the film as trying to replace actors in the medium. On the other hand, Gravity's support among the voters who belong to the technical categories is almost a guarantee. Gravity's chances are good, but for a lot of the race it has been considered the number two contender.
12 Years A Slave has been perceived at the leader for much of the race, granted that is by a slim margin. As stated above, it tied for the PGA award with Gravity. Like American Hustle, it features a large ensemble cast, which could appeal to actors in the Academy. Unlike Hustle, 12 Years A Slave has managed to maintain its momentum. It looks like the film might only come away with one acting win despite its three nominations, and even that win isn't a sure bet. Many voters will most likely feel some guilt over not giving Chiwetel Ejiofor the Best Actor award and therefore cast their vote to award this film Best Picture. There is also a strong sense that due to the subject matter of the film, that it "should" win. The sentiment isn't necessarily wrong, but it also isn't necessarily genuine based on how uneven 12 Years A Slave's chances are of winning in other categories this year. If you're playing the odds, this is probably the film to bet on, but don't be too surprised if Gravity has the upper hand, or American Hustle sneaks in there.
Who Should Win:
I'll make this short. I am dying to see Gravity and 12 Years A Slave tie for this win. It happened at the PGA Awards, but critical consensus seems to be that it would be nearly impossible to see it happen at the Academy Awards. Still I can hope. Both films together epitomize film as an art form. I can't really choose a favorite between the two because both are spectacularly well made, and completely different. Whichever one wins (hopefully both!), I'll be happy.
Snubs:
There are plenty of arguments to be made for any number of films that weren't nominated this year. Many people thought that The Butler, Inside Llewyn Davis, Saving Mr. Banks, and August: Osage County would be contenders, but they were mostly left out of the Awards all together. These films all had flaws, but that doesn't mean there isn't a decent argument for some of them being better than some of the films that did make the cut this year. Unlike last year when Beasts of the Southern Wild overcame it's small independent status to get a handful of nominations, the smaller independent films didn't have as much luck this year. Some great smaller independent productions that deserved nominations were Fruitvale Station and Short Term 12. Then of course, there's The Way Way Back, which was a personal favorite of mine this year. I love the blend of humor and drama in the film, but while it was well received by critics, many tried to compare it to other "summer" films, and lost sight of its voice.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
2014 Academy Awards Overview: Best Actor/Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor and Best Actress are probably the two most notable awards given outside of Best Picture. These two categories are foregone conclusions this year, which is a shame, cause neither category is getting it right this year. This is a look at the races this year.
Best Actor in a Leading Role:
Christian Bale in American Hustle
Bruce Dern in Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years A Slave
Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club
Who Will Win:
Matthew McConaughey in his turn as an AIDS sufferer who works to advance treatment of the illness. McConaughey has taken home the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG awards for his portrayal in Dallas Buyers Club.
Who Should Win:
As much as I respect what McConaughey has done here, this should be Chiwetel Ejiofor's award. McConaughey's role has a lot of depth and he performs it outstandingly, but at the end of the day his character seems a lot like a variation of the Matthew McConaughey we already know. This role is great, but it's not a huge stretch for McConaughey. The beauty of Ejiofor's performance is that he portrays not just a character, but the whole soul of a man. Solomon Northrup is a man who suffers unbearable physical and emotional pain, and yet he fights on for survival. The ache of watching Northrup being stripped of his dignity by his captors is easily the most raw performance of the year. The story of 12 Years A Slave could easily be turned into merely a good lesson put on film, but Ejiofor's performance (and for that matter Nyong'o's) make it a portrait of a man stolen from freedom and family. Christian Bale is great in American Hustle, but it's hard to watch it and not think about how this role doesn't hold a candle to his Oscar winning turn in The Fighter. Bruce Dern is perfect as a quiet old man somewhere on the edge of lucidity in Nebraska, but the role lacks the same level of content as the other nominees in the category.
Snubs:
There were quite a few snubs among the actors this year. Perhaps most slighted this year were black actors. Chadwich Boseman gave a powerful, though critically underrated, performance as Jackie Robinson in 42. Michael B. Jordan was subtle, but impressive as a man trying to turn his life around for his family in the tragic film Fruitvale Station. While The Butler had its problems and critics, Forest Whitaker carries the film with his performance. One of the most notable snubs was Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips. His acting in the last 15 minutes of that film is enough to win most people an Oscar, let alone his impressive performance in the rest of the film.
Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Amy Adams in American Hustle
Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock in Gravity
Judi Dench in Philomena
Meryl Streep in August: Osage County
Who Will Win:
When Blue Jasmine came out last summer, every critic seemed to automatically decide that Cate Blanchett had just won her second Oscar. That was before any of the other four nominees' performances had hit theaters, I might add. Blanchett has won every major award this year, and a strong campaign has taken root to award Blanchett's overall acting career more so than just this one performance. Most of all though, women in Woody Allen films win awards. That's about as close to a sure thing as you can get with the Academy Awards.
Who Should Win:
Bullock or Adams. Let me start this by saying that I admire Cate Blanchett's career and even her performance in Blue Jasmine. That being said, of the women nominated, Blanchett's performance is fourth place at best. While Blanchett is great in this performance, she comes across as a caricature, not a real person. No matter how hard Blanchett acts, I can't imagine this woman ever existing in the real world. Part of that is that Woody Allen's scripts often have an unbelievable quality to them, and part of that is because the screen has seen this role before in the form of Blanche DuBois. There are three arguments as to why Sandra Bullock should win this award. First is Bullock's ability to bring emotion out of this role. Bullock evokes a range of emotions from the role; terror in her present situation, sorrow in her tragic past and current feelings of helplessness, the peace she finds through outer space's silence, and most of all triumphant joy in her decision to fight to reclaim her life through all of this. Second is Bullock's physical performance. I would venture to say that this is easily the most physically demanding Oscar nominated performance ever. Bullock was often working with experimental equipment and doing so gracefully. Third Bullock carries most of the film by herself. That's not an easy feat to achieve. Most of the other actresses in this category had large supporting casts to lean on in their films. I know Bullock won't win this award, but her nomination is validation of her first win, so that's enough of a win for me. My second choice for a winner would be Amy Adams. First of all, this is her FIFTH nomination without a win. People seriously underestimate how impressive her career is. Not only has she given five great award worthy performances, she also acts in a wider range of films than almost any other actor in the business. In the film, Adams' character is doing a tight rope routine between trying to hide her true self from those around her, and trying to hide her true self from herself. When Adams really shines in the film is when her character lets her guard down and shows brilliant glimpses of honesty. Amy Adams easily gives the most emotionally demanding performance of the women nominated here. Judi Dench is amazing in Philomena as a woman looking for her son who was taken from her by nuns who were selling Irish babies to Americans. Meryl Streep's nomination here is just proof that the Academy will nominate her no matter what. There are genuinely funny and heartbreaking moments from Streep in this film, but mostly her character is so over the top that it undermines any message the film is trying to get across to viewers. Any of the people in my snubs section would have been better nominees.
Snubs:
The notable snub here is Emma Thompson for Saving Mr. Banks. No matter what problems the critics seemed to have with the film (some of them are warranted, others aren't), most of them still recognized Emma Thompson's excellent acting in the film. The way that she studied PL Travers' breathing and speaking patterns from old recordings and matched those in the film is impressive. Another actress who deserved to be nominated was Brie Larson from Short Term 12. Her performance is subtle, but emotionally powerful. That's something the category could have used more of this year.
Best Actor in a Leading Role:
Christian Bale in American Hustle
Bruce Dern in Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years A Slave
Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club
Who Will Win:
Matthew McConaughey in his turn as an AIDS sufferer who works to advance treatment of the illness. McConaughey has taken home the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and SAG awards for his portrayal in Dallas Buyers Club.
Who Should Win:
As much as I respect what McConaughey has done here, this should be Chiwetel Ejiofor's award. McConaughey's role has a lot of depth and he performs it outstandingly, but at the end of the day his character seems a lot like a variation of the Matthew McConaughey we already know. This role is great, but it's not a huge stretch for McConaughey. The beauty of Ejiofor's performance is that he portrays not just a character, but the whole soul of a man. Solomon Northrup is a man who suffers unbearable physical and emotional pain, and yet he fights on for survival. The ache of watching Northrup being stripped of his dignity by his captors is easily the most raw performance of the year. The story of 12 Years A Slave could easily be turned into merely a good lesson put on film, but Ejiofor's performance (and for that matter Nyong'o's) make it a portrait of a man stolen from freedom and family. Christian Bale is great in American Hustle, but it's hard to watch it and not think about how this role doesn't hold a candle to his Oscar winning turn in The Fighter. Bruce Dern is perfect as a quiet old man somewhere on the edge of lucidity in Nebraska, but the role lacks the same level of content as the other nominees in the category.
Snubs:
There were quite a few snubs among the actors this year. Perhaps most slighted this year were black actors. Chadwich Boseman gave a powerful, though critically underrated, performance as Jackie Robinson in 42. Michael B. Jordan was subtle, but impressive as a man trying to turn his life around for his family in the tragic film Fruitvale Station. While The Butler had its problems and critics, Forest Whitaker carries the film with his performance. One of the most notable snubs was Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips. His acting in the last 15 minutes of that film is enough to win most people an Oscar, let alone his impressive performance in the rest of the film.
Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Amy Adams in American Hustle
Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock in Gravity
Judi Dench in Philomena
Meryl Streep in August: Osage County
Who Will Win:
When Blue Jasmine came out last summer, every critic seemed to automatically decide that Cate Blanchett had just won her second Oscar. That was before any of the other four nominees' performances had hit theaters, I might add. Blanchett has won every major award this year, and a strong campaign has taken root to award Blanchett's overall acting career more so than just this one performance. Most of all though, women in Woody Allen films win awards. That's about as close to a sure thing as you can get with the Academy Awards.
Who Should Win:
Bullock or Adams. Let me start this by saying that I admire Cate Blanchett's career and even her performance in Blue Jasmine. That being said, of the women nominated, Blanchett's performance is fourth place at best. While Blanchett is great in this performance, she comes across as a caricature, not a real person. No matter how hard Blanchett acts, I can't imagine this woman ever existing in the real world. Part of that is that Woody Allen's scripts often have an unbelievable quality to them, and part of that is because the screen has seen this role before in the form of Blanche DuBois. There are three arguments as to why Sandra Bullock should win this award. First is Bullock's ability to bring emotion out of this role. Bullock evokes a range of emotions from the role; terror in her present situation, sorrow in her tragic past and current feelings of helplessness, the peace she finds through outer space's silence, and most of all triumphant joy in her decision to fight to reclaim her life through all of this. Second is Bullock's physical performance. I would venture to say that this is easily the most physically demanding Oscar nominated performance ever. Bullock was often working with experimental equipment and doing so gracefully. Third Bullock carries most of the film by herself. That's not an easy feat to achieve. Most of the other actresses in this category had large supporting casts to lean on in their films. I know Bullock won't win this award, but her nomination is validation of her first win, so that's enough of a win for me. My second choice for a winner would be Amy Adams. First of all, this is her FIFTH nomination without a win. People seriously underestimate how impressive her career is. Not only has she given five great award worthy performances, she also acts in a wider range of films than almost any other actor in the business. In the film, Adams' character is doing a tight rope routine between trying to hide her true self from those around her, and trying to hide her true self from herself. When Adams really shines in the film is when her character lets her guard down and shows brilliant glimpses of honesty. Amy Adams easily gives the most emotionally demanding performance of the women nominated here. Judi Dench is amazing in Philomena as a woman looking for her son who was taken from her by nuns who were selling Irish babies to Americans. Meryl Streep's nomination here is just proof that the Academy will nominate her no matter what. There are genuinely funny and heartbreaking moments from Streep in this film, but mostly her character is so over the top that it undermines any message the film is trying to get across to viewers. Any of the people in my snubs section would have been better nominees.
Snubs:
The notable snub here is Emma Thompson for Saving Mr. Banks. No matter what problems the critics seemed to have with the film (some of them are warranted, others aren't), most of them still recognized Emma Thompson's excellent acting in the film. The way that she studied PL Travers' breathing and speaking patterns from old recordings and matched those in the film is impressive. Another actress who deserved to be nominated was Brie Larson from Short Term 12. Her performance is subtle, but emotionally powerful. That's something the category could have used more of this year.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
2014 Academy Award Overview: Non-Acting Categories
Here is an overview of some of the more prominent Academy Awards categories outside of Best Picture and the acting categories.
Animated Feature Film:
The Croods
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Wind Rises
Ernest & Celestine
Who Will Win:
Frozen. It's really no contest this year, especially with Pixar's only film Monsters University not getting nominated. Many critics are hailing Frozen as the greatest Disney animation musical since The Lion King.
Who Should Win:
This is Frozen's year. In what was easily one of the weakest years for animated film in recent history, this film was the clear stand out. I'll be honest, I haven't seen any of the nominated films outside of Frozen and The Croods, and partially that's cause this year is such a given. I'll add the note here that I've heard nothing but good things about The Wind Rises and Ernest & Celestine, I simply haven't seen them because they haven't been playing in theaters near me. It's good to see Disney Animation have an actual shot at winning this year. In the last few years, Disney Animation has arguably started to rival, if not outperform their Pixar counterpart. A list of their recent animated successes include: Bolt, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. The last film on that list easily should have won the Oscar last year.
Snubs:
Monsters University wasn't Pixar's brightest moment, but nonetheless it was a better animated film than most this year. Some critics cheered when it didn't get nominated, and I understand the sentiment. Pixar has beaten some better films simply based on name recognition these past few years. That being said, I think the best films should be nominated, and Monsters University was much better than The Croods.
The Croods
Frozen
Despicable Me 2
The Wind Rises
Ernest & Celestine
Who Will Win:
Frozen. It's really no contest this year, especially with Pixar's only film Monsters University not getting nominated. Many critics are hailing Frozen as the greatest Disney animation musical since The Lion King.
Who Should Win:
This is Frozen's year. In what was easily one of the weakest years for animated film in recent history, this film was the clear stand out. I'll be honest, I haven't seen any of the nominated films outside of Frozen and The Croods, and partially that's cause this year is such a given. I'll add the note here that I've heard nothing but good things about The Wind Rises and Ernest & Celestine, I simply haven't seen them because they haven't been playing in theaters near me. It's good to see Disney Animation have an actual shot at winning this year. In the last few years, Disney Animation has arguably started to rival, if not outperform their Pixar counterpart. A list of their recent animated successes include: Bolt, Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. The last film on that list easily should have won the Oscar last year.
Snubs:
Monsters University wasn't Pixar's brightest moment, but nonetheless it was a better animated film than most this year. Some critics cheered when it didn't get nominated, and I understand the sentiment. Pixar has beaten some better films simply based on name recognition these past few years. That being said, I think the best films should be nominated, and Monsters University was much better than The Croods.
Directing:
David O. Russell for American Hustle
Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Alexander Payne for Nebraska
Steve McQueen for 12 Years A Slave
Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
Unless there is some major upset, this award is going to Cuaron.
Who Should Win:
Cuaron. Gravity is a near-perfect realization of Cuaron's vision. This is a very impressive list of directors working on stunning films, but it's hard to argue against Cuaron and Gravity. Not only did Cuaron direct a visually revolutionary film, he also directed a film that brought the best, physically and emotionally, out of lead actress Sandra Bullock. O. Russell and Payne are impressive directors, but their films don't have the same acute sense of vision that Cuaron's does. If Cuaron weren't in the race, the award should go to McQueen who made many strong choices in portraying the cruelty of slavery.
Snubs:
I really respect David O. Russell and Alexander Payne, but in my opinion, Spike Jonze should have been nominated for his work on the Best Picture nominated Her over everyone in this category except Cuaron and McQueen. Another impressive director this year was Destin Cretton, who directed the critically lauded Short Term 12.
David O. Russell for American Hustle
Alfonso Cuaron for Gravity
Alexander Payne for Nebraska
Steve McQueen for 12 Years A Slave
Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
Unless there is some major upset, this award is going to Cuaron.
Who Should Win:
Cuaron. Gravity is a near-perfect realization of Cuaron's vision. This is a very impressive list of directors working on stunning films, but it's hard to argue against Cuaron and Gravity. Not only did Cuaron direct a visually revolutionary film, he also directed a film that brought the best, physically and emotionally, out of lead actress Sandra Bullock. O. Russell and Payne are impressive directors, but their films don't have the same acute sense of vision that Cuaron's does. If Cuaron weren't in the race, the award should go to McQueen who made many strong choices in portraying the cruelty of slavery.
Snubs:
I really respect David O. Russell and Alexander Payne, but in my opinion, Spike Jonze should have been nominated for his work on the Best Picture nominated Her over everyone in this category except Cuaron and McQueen. Another impressive director this year was Destin Cretton, who directed the critically lauded Short Term 12.
Writing-Adapted Screenplay:
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
This one's a little bit of a toss up. Captain Phillips won the Writers Guild Award for this category. Critical consensus however seems to be that 12 Years A Slave is the front runner. That film wasn't even nominated for the Writers Guild Award. Another advantage that 12 Years A Slave has in this category, is that it has a much greater chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture than Captain Phillips does, so that could raise the film's overall profile in other categories such as this one.
Who Should Win:
I haven't read Solomon Northrup's memoir about the 12 years he spent as a slave in the South, but it is next on my reading list. 12 Years A Slave's script is written to be not just a record of events, but a portrait of Solomon Northrup's indomitable spirit. I have no idea why WGA didn't nominate it for their Adapted Screenplay award, but it was a significant error. This film should hands down win this award.
Before Midnight
Captain Phillips
Philomena
12 Years A Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street
Who Will Win:
This one's a little bit of a toss up. Captain Phillips won the Writers Guild Award for this category. Critical consensus however seems to be that 12 Years A Slave is the front runner. That film wasn't even nominated for the Writers Guild Award. Another advantage that 12 Years A Slave has in this category, is that it has a much greater chance of winning the Oscar for Best Picture than Captain Phillips does, so that could raise the film's overall profile in other categories such as this one.
Who Should Win:
I haven't read Solomon Northrup's memoir about the 12 years he spent as a slave in the South, but it is next on my reading list. 12 Years A Slave's script is written to be not just a record of events, but a portrait of Solomon Northrup's indomitable spirit. I have no idea why WGA didn't nominate it for their Adapted Screenplay award, but it was a significant error. This film should hands down win this award.
Writing-Original Screenplay:
Dallas Buyers Club
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Her
Nebraska
Who Will Win:
Again, this one is a little up in the air. Critical consensus is that American Hustle will win. The Writers Guild gave the award to Her. American Hustle again has a greater chance of winning Best Picture than Her. On the other hand, Her has gained a lot of recognition this year as arguably the most original story among the Best Picture contenders. I'm going to take a guess and say that the Academy will recognize the originality of Her.
Who Should Win:
Not only is the concept behind Her more original than the concept behind American Hustle, Her features the best writing in any film this year. The key to Her's script is that it is very dialogue heavy, and the dialogue is beautifully honest and poetic. In other hands, the story of a man falling in love with a computer OS could go very wrong. The way it is developed here shows some very heartfelt glimpses into our longings and insecurities as humans.
Dallas Buyers Club
American Hustle
Blue Jasmine
Her
Nebraska
Who Will Win:
Again, this one is a little up in the air. Critical consensus is that American Hustle will win. The Writers Guild gave the award to Her. American Hustle again has a greater chance of winning Best Picture than Her. On the other hand, Her has gained a lot of recognition this year as arguably the most original story among the Best Picture contenders. I'm going to take a guess and say that the Academy will recognize the originality of Her.
Who Should Win:
Not only is the concept behind Her more original than the concept behind American Hustle, Her features the best writing in any film this year. The key to Her's script is that it is very dialogue heavy, and the dialogue is beautifully honest and poetic. In other hands, the story of a man falling in love with a computer OS could go very wrong. The way it is developed here shows some very heartfelt glimpses into our longings and insecurities as humans.
Monday, February 24, 2014
2014 Academy Awards Overview: Best Supporting Actor/Actress
This is the first of four posts I am doing on the Academy Awards, which airs this Sunday. This post focuses on the supporting acting categories. Unlike last year when these categories were filled with mostly minor performances, the supporting actor and actress categories are teeming with talented performances this year.
Best Supporting Actor:
Barkhad Abdi in Captain Phillips
Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street
Bradley Cooper in American Hustle
Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club
Michael Fassbender in 12 Years A Slave
Who Will Win:
Jared Leto. His turn as a transgender AIDS patient struggling with drug addiction is a complete transformation for Leto. If there's one thing the Academy has consistently rewarded, it's actors who transform themselves for roles. If you have any doubts about Leto's chances of winning, he has already taken home awards at the SAG, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Awards this year.
Who Should Win:
It's hard to argue against Leto winning this award. The transformation he takes on as an actor is very impressive. Beyond that, the role offered Leto a lot of depth, and he takes full advantage of it in his performance. Another testament to Leto's performance here is that it actually brings out the best in his co-stars Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey. That all being said, this is easily one of the most impressive supporting actor categories in years. Barkhad Abdi is haunting as a pirate who slides seamlessly into the role of thief and hostage taker. Bradley Cooper is manic as the FBI agent who loses all sense of reality in his pursuit of glory. Michael Fassbender is visceral as the mentally disturbed slave owner who treats everyone around him like objects to be abused. In any other year one of these three could easily walk away with this award.
Snubs:
This category is so strong this year, there aren't too many strong cases to make for people getting snubbed. I haven't seen Jonah Hill's performance, and I really have no desire to watch The Wolf of Wall Street. I would personally argue that Sam Rockwell should have been nominated from The Way Way Back, but I'm fully aware that The Way Way Back was never taken as seriously as it should have been, and his name was never legitimately in the mix.
Best Supporting Actress:
June Squibb in Nebraska
Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle
Julia Roberts in August: Osage County
Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years A Slave
Who Will Win:
Most of the acting categories are pretty much set in stone as to who will win, but if there's any chance of an upset, it's in this category. Lupita Nyong'o has won in this category at the SAG and the Critics Choice Awards. Jennifer Lawrence took home the Golden Globe in this category. Does that suggest that this race is extremely close? Probably not. Lupita Nyong'o seems to have most of the momentum going into this one. There's also the factor of Jennifer Lawrence having just won an Oscar last year. Unless something shifts the momentum before voting ends, Lupita Nyong'o is almost certainly getting this award.
Who Should Win:
I'm a little up in the air on this one. Lawrence and Nyong'o both gave amazing performances. Just like her winning performance last year, Lawrence is a force of nature in American Hustle. Her role isn't the most vital one in the film, but she steals the attention from just about every other actor when she's on the screen. The beauty of Lawrence's performance is how she makes her character larger than life one moment, and the next moment she makes her character seem like a vulnerable child looking for shelter. Her subtle moments are just as impressive as her over the top ones. Lupita Nyong'o's debut performance was the kind that can define a career. There is a deep personal struggle within her character that she portrays with perfection in her acting. The true testament to Nyong'o's acting here is how deeply she makes you feel the pain of her character's existence. At times the pain is emotional, but it is also physically embodied by the tortures that her character suffers at the hand of her slave owner and his jealous wife. For that, I would give the slight edge to Nyong'o. June Squibb is excellent as a blunt foul-mouthed old woman, but her performance lacks the depth of Nyong'o and Lawarence's performances. Julia Roberts gives one of the best performances of her career here, but in reality it's more of a leading role than a supporting role, so her nomination is a stretch. Sally Hawkins' performance was not even close to the same caliber as her fellow nominees, and her nomination makes no sense.
Snubs:
Other awards ceremonies this year gave nominations to Oprah for her role in The Butler. I think that would have been a much better choice than Sally Hawkins. The true snub here though is Amy Adams for Her. It's not the biggest role, but Adams makes it a vital role to the film through her genuine and honest portrayal of the main character's best friend.
Best Supporting Actor:
Barkhad Abdi in Captain Phillips
Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street
Bradley Cooper in American Hustle
Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club
Michael Fassbender in 12 Years A Slave
Who Will Win:
Jared Leto. His turn as a transgender AIDS patient struggling with drug addiction is a complete transformation for Leto. If there's one thing the Academy has consistently rewarded, it's actors who transform themselves for roles. If you have any doubts about Leto's chances of winning, he has already taken home awards at the SAG, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Awards this year.
Who Should Win:
It's hard to argue against Leto winning this award. The transformation he takes on as an actor is very impressive. Beyond that, the role offered Leto a lot of depth, and he takes full advantage of it in his performance. Another testament to Leto's performance here is that it actually brings out the best in his co-stars Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey. That all being said, this is easily one of the most impressive supporting actor categories in years. Barkhad Abdi is haunting as a pirate who slides seamlessly into the role of thief and hostage taker. Bradley Cooper is manic as the FBI agent who loses all sense of reality in his pursuit of glory. Michael Fassbender is visceral as the mentally disturbed slave owner who treats everyone around him like objects to be abused. In any other year one of these three could easily walk away with this award.
Snubs:
This category is so strong this year, there aren't too many strong cases to make for people getting snubbed. I haven't seen Jonah Hill's performance, and I really have no desire to watch The Wolf of Wall Street. I would personally argue that Sam Rockwell should have been nominated from The Way Way Back, but I'm fully aware that The Way Way Back was never taken as seriously as it should have been, and his name was never legitimately in the mix.
Best Supporting Actress:
June Squibb in Nebraska
Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle
Julia Roberts in August: Osage County
Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years A Slave
Who Will Win:
Most of the acting categories are pretty much set in stone as to who will win, but if there's any chance of an upset, it's in this category. Lupita Nyong'o has won in this category at the SAG and the Critics Choice Awards. Jennifer Lawrence took home the Golden Globe in this category. Does that suggest that this race is extremely close? Probably not. Lupita Nyong'o seems to have most of the momentum going into this one. There's also the factor of Jennifer Lawrence having just won an Oscar last year. Unless something shifts the momentum before voting ends, Lupita Nyong'o is almost certainly getting this award.
Who Should Win:
I'm a little up in the air on this one. Lawrence and Nyong'o both gave amazing performances. Just like her winning performance last year, Lawrence is a force of nature in American Hustle. Her role isn't the most vital one in the film, but she steals the attention from just about every other actor when she's on the screen. The beauty of Lawrence's performance is how she makes her character larger than life one moment, and the next moment she makes her character seem like a vulnerable child looking for shelter. Her subtle moments are just as impressive as her over the top ones. Lupita Nyong'o's debut performance was the kind that can define a career. There is a deep personal struggle within her character that she portrays with perfection in her acting. The true testament to Nyong'o's acting here is how deeply she makes you feel the pain of her character's existence. At times the pain is emotional, but it is also physically embodied by the tortures that her character suffers at the hand of her slave owner and his jealous wife. For that, I would give the slight edge to Nyong'o. June Squibb is excellent as a blunt foul-mouthed old woman, but her performance lacks the depth of Nyong'o and Lawarence's performances. Julia Roberts gives one of the best performances of her career here, but in reality it's more of a leading role than a supporting role, so her nomination is a stretch. Sally Hawkins' performance was not even close to the same caliber as her fellow nominees, and her nomination makes no sense.
Snubs:
Other awards ceremonies this year gave nominations to Oprah for her role in The Butler. I think that would have been a much better choice than Sally Hawkins. The true snub here though is Amy Adams for Her. It's not the biggest role, but Adams makes it a vital role to the film through her genuine and honest portrayal of the main character's best friend.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
How @SadderAndWiser #WinsTwitter
My friend, whose Twitter profile is @SadderAndWiser, keeps a pretty low profile on Twitter. That being said, if you are one of her fortunate 23 followers, then you know that there are quite a few gems on her timeline. @SadderAndWiser's Twitter account is a winner because it references awesome TV shows, her sharp wit, and her ability to tell things like they are. Here is a sort of greatest hits list for you:
Keep tweeting @SadderAndWiser!
Keep tweeting @SadderAndWiser!
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