Straight Outta Compton was probably the most noticeable snub in the Best Picture Oscar race this year give or take a vote of two for Carol. I missed it over the summer, but had been looking forward to seeing it. Now I was even more excited as I had watched its evolution from surprise box office hit, to critically lauded film, to potential Oscar nominee, to most egregious snub in the Best Picture race.
Now that I've seen it I can say that Straight Outta Compton would have been a deserving nominee. It is certainly now in my top 20 films of the year, if not my top 10. It's one of the best bio pics I've seen and Hollywood puts out its share of dull cookie cutter ones. While I am sure that Compton present the men of NWA in a more heroic light than reality, it also isn't afraid to show Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy E warts and all. It's a inside look at a time capsule for those who watch the rise of west coast rap music from the outside.
I can also see why this would not appeal to the average elderly Oscar voter of which there are too many. However, it would be fair for a woman to not be a big fan as the women minor characters are underwritten at best and stereotypical sex objects at worst. The ending is also a slight letdown as it devolves a bit into melodrama that the first 2/3 of the film does not resemble. Acting wise it is a strong mostly unknown ensemble. While it is eerie how close to his father in appearance and mannerisms O'Shea Jackson Jr. Is to his father Ice Cube, the film's best acting comes from Jason Mitchell as Easy E. I'm excited to see what he does in the future.
I give Straight Outta Compton 8 out of 10, and while I am thinking about it here are 20 films from the last 20 years that I think we're snubbed for Best Picture. There are obviously more movies that were snubbed during this time, but I limited it to 20-- one per year.
2015 Inside Out
2014 Foxcatcher
2013 Blue Jasmine
2012 The Perks of Being a Wallflower
2011 The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo
2010 Rabbit Hole
2009 Fantastic Mr. Fox
2008 Vicki Cristina Barcelona
2007 Into the Wild
2006 Volver
2005 Murderball
2004 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2003 Kill Bill Vol. 1
2002 Far From Heaven
2001 Royal Tenenbaums
2000 Almost Famous
1999 The Talented Mr. Ripley
1998 Gods and Monsters
1997 Boogie Nights
1996 Evita
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
Short Reviews of Home Viewed Movies Part 2
Here is some short reviews of movies I've watched at home over the last month.
Beasts of No Nation: its interesting to think if the Academy had just nominated Idris Elba for an Oscar for this movie, they could have eliminated a lot of controversy over diversity they are dealing with now. However, these conversations need to happen. Unfortunately, Elba was very much deserving of a nomination for his role as a charismatic yet evil leader of a rogue army that recruits children as its fighters in Africa. Elba makes what could have been a throwaway two dimensional villain much more complex. The lead of the film, young actor Abraham Attah is also excellent. The film loses a few points because I can only see so many war scenes before it feels gratuitous and I get bored.
Beasts of No Nation: 7 out of 10
Sicario- I love Emily Blunt. I think she is one of the most underrated famous actresses. That said, I didn't love this movie. I had a hard time following it because it mostly did not catch my interest. The last half an hour where all is revealed (and not that surprising) brought me back, but not really enough for me to strongly recommend it. It is slight progress that a movie was made with this kind of female lead. I'm not too disappointed Benicio del Toro was not nominated for an Oscar since it felt like a character he'd played before in Traffic.
Sicario 6 out of 10
Vacation 2015-
I was excited about this because I thought it was a good franchise to reboot which is something I don't say often. It also had a great cast. However, it has none of the charm of the original film even with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo cameos. It tries using gross out humor but nothing in this goes beyond mildly funny. It's pretty much terrible and disappointing.
Vacation 3 out of 10
The Stanford Prison Experiment
It's about the well known study where participants play the roles of wardens and prisoners and the simulation starts to feel like a real prison. While it serves as a reminder of the evil that men can do, there isn't really anything special about it. It has a great cast of young actors though, and I'll be excited to see what they all do over the next few years. Ezra Miller especially!
The Stanford Prison Experiment 6 out of 10
Bread and Tulips
In this Italian film made in 2000, a woman gets tired of her family vacation and escapes to a different life in Venice. It's a charming movie, but it is also slight. It also feels like a film that has been made many times before
Bread and Tulips 6 out of 10
Infinitely Polar Bear- the great Mark Ruffalo was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy for this film. That shows you how dumb the Golden Globes are. He plays a bipolar parent and there are only glimpses of humor in a fairly dramatic film. The acting is all great which I've come to expect when Mark Ruffalo is involved, but this is actually a movie that could have benefitted from being longer. There definitely was more story to tell here.
Infinitely Polar Bear 6 out of 10
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Now that Jennifer Lawrence is crazy rich she needs to.....
Now that Jennifer Lawrence is crazy rich she needs to......
.........make more movies in the vein of Joy.
What? you thought I was going to tear down Jennifer Lawrence who was put so high on a pedestal that her inevitable fall has begun.
Jennifer Lawrence is probably the USA's biggest movie star. America fell in love with her when she fell on her way up to grab her Oscar because they too probably would've tripped too. We liked that she spoke her mind.
Until we didn't.
I'll admit I need a break from Jennifer Lawrence, but it's really not her fault. She put her self out there. She gave us what we wanted.
The media ate it up. Until they wanted a different princess and now they want to put her in her place. And no I don't care if she told a reporter to put away his phone. Out of context or not, maybe Jennifer Lawrence gets grumpy and annoyed like the rest of us.
I read recently that Jennifer Lawrence doesn't like the fame part of being a movie star and she'd like a vacation. I think she should take one.
Stop making blockbuster movies like the X men and Hunger Games and make more movies like where I first discovered in winter's bone.
She should make more movies like Joy.
Granted at times Joy is a mess. It's screenplay is full of clunky speeches and Lawrence is about 10-15 years too young for the part, but with her talent she made it into something better than a standard cheer for the underdog movie.
Yes, Jennifer Lawrence is one of the most successful actors working now and one of the most talented too! She should give up the movie blockbuster game and work on stories that interest her and work with actors that interest her.
She doesn't need the money from big movies. That's for sure.
Take a little break Jennifer Lawrence. Stay away from the fame for awhile and come back in a big way in a small thing Like Winter's Bone
......or Joy.
Those who want Jennifer Lawrence, the talented actor, will be waiting.
Joy. 7 out of 10
.........make more movies in the vein of Joy.
What? you thought I was going to tear down Jennifer Lawrence who was put so high on a pedestal that her inevitable fall has begun.
Jennifer Lawrence is probably the USA's biggest movie star. America fell in love with her when she fell on her way up to grab her Oscar because they too probably would've tripped too. We liked that she spoke her mind.
Until we didn't.
I'll admit I need a break from Jennifer Lawrence, but it's really not her fault. She put her self out there. She gave us what we wanted.
The media ate it up. Until they wanted a different princess and now they want to put her in her place. And no I don't care if she told a reporter to put away his phone. Out of context or not, maybe Jennifer Lawrence gets grumpy and annoyed like the rest of us.
I read recently that Jennifer Lawrence doesn't like the fame part of being a movie star and she'd like a vacation. I think she should take one.
Stop making blockbuster movies like the X men and Hunger Games and make more movies like where I first discovered in winter's bone.
She should make more movies like Joy.
Granted at times Joy is a mess. It's screenplay is full of clunky speeches and Lawrence is about 10-15 years too young for the part, but with her talent she made it into something better than a standard cheer for the underdog movie.
Yes, Jennifer Lawrence is one of the most successful actors working now and one of the most talented too! She should give up the movie blockbuster game and work on stories that interest her and work with actors that interest her.
She doesn't need the money from big movies. That's for sure.
Take a little break Jennifer Lawrence. Stay away from the fame for awhile and come back in a big way in a small thing Like Winter's Bone
......or Joy.
Those who want Jennifer Lawrence, the talented actor, will be waiting.
Joy. 7 out of 10
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Loves that will never grow old.
Over the past few weeks I have watched three very different movies with very different stories, but a common theme rises out of all of them and that is love and it's difficulty to attain and keep.
In Carol, meticulously directed by Todd Haynes, rich, married Carol (played by Cate Blanchett) strikes up a friendship with shy, common shopgirl Therese (played by Rooney Mara) while Carol is Christmas shopping for her child. Through accidents, coincidences or none of the above, the two connect and develop more than a friendship. Obviously this is a problem because they both are in heterosexual relationships and it is the early 1950s when such love was scandalous. Eventually, they take a road trip which brings their true under the surface feelings to fruition.
Every part of the film is physically beautiful. The score, costumes, art direction, and cinematography are all fantastic, but the movie breathes because of the impossible relationship between Carol and Therese. Though the film is called Carol, Therese is really the most interesting character by far thanks to what should be a career changing performance by Mara. Mara gives us glimpses of what Therese is about while also remaining a mystery. Why would Therese give up everything for Carol who is self centered and wishy washy to put it nicely? Blanchett is fine in this, but her performance doesn't raise the bar on what I've seen her do before. Ultimately Carol is a very good movie because of Therese. The viewer wants to follow he journey into truth.
The Danish Girl's selling point is that it is about Lili Eibe the first person to have sexual reassignment surgery, but ultimately Lili is not the most fascinating character in the movie. His wife Gerda, played by rising star Alicia Vikander brings the movie from passable bio pic status to good but not great film. Her devotion to Lili in a time when society knew nothing about transgendered people is the center of the film.
The greatest problem with the Danish Girl is its lack of heart. It's a problematic common thread that's becomes more apparent for director Tom Hooper every time he makes a film. Eddie Redmayne gives a fine performance, but his performance here is very much about the bells and whistles of a man becoming a woman and less about building a three dimensional character. (I'd say this is even more true for his Academy Award winning performance as Steven Hawking last year). Ultimately with the Danish Girl, you are left wanting more about "supporting" character Gerda. On a side, it was also nice to get some eye candy brought to the movie by the always delicious Matthias Schoenaerts. The Danish Girl is decently entertaining, but a story like this should be more than that.
Finally, the stop motion animated film Anomalisa could be about fleeting love. However, Charlie Kaufman could have started out making a film with such simple topic but then takes it down an odd, generally fantastic rabbit hole. It's difficult to explain what Anomalisa is about because as soon as you think you pin it down you make another discovery. But to simplify it is the story of Michael (voiced by David Thewis) who is on an overnight business trip in a life where everyone looks and sounds the same to him.
The film is interesting to watch because of how finely it details the mundaneness of different parts of life. In particular, it documents life in a generic business hotel perfectly. The film takes a turn into greatness when Michael meets Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh in one of her greatest roles even though it is only her voice). Leigh captures Lisa's insecurities perfectly, and I have no doubt that the animation was crafted by watching Jennifer Jason Leigh perform it. Unfortunately, the final act fell flat for me. Anomalisa should definitely be seen, because it is a love story like no other.
Carol 8 out of 10
The Danish Girl 7 out of 10
Anomalisa 8 out of 10
In Carol, meticulously directed by Todd Haynes, rich, married Carol (played by Cate Blanchett) strikes up a friendship with shy, common shopgirl Therese (played by Rooney Mara) while Carol is Christmas shopping for her child. Through accidents, coincidences or none of the above, the two connect and develop more than a friendship. Obviously this is a problem because they both are in heterosexual relationships and it is the early 1950s when such love was scandalous. Eventually, they take a road trip which brings their true under the surface feelings to fruition.
Every part of the film is physically beautiful. The score, costumes, art direction, and cinematography are all fantastic, but the movie breathes because of the impossible relationship between Carol and Therese. Though the film is called Carol, Therese is really the most interesting character by far thanks to what should be a career changing performance by Mara. Mara gives us glimpses of what Therese is about while also remaining a mystery. Why would Therese give up everything for Carol who is self centered and wishy washy to put it nicely? Blanchett is fine in this, but her performance doesn't raise the bar on what I've seen her do before. Ultimately Carol is a very good movie because of Therese. The viewer wants to follow he journey into truth.
The Danish Girl's selling point is that it is about Lili Eibe the first person to have sexual reassignment surgery, but ultimately Lili is not the most fascinating character in the movie. His wife Gerda, played by rising star Alicia Vikander brings the movie from passable bio pic status to good but not great film. Her devotion to Lili in a time when society knew nothing about transgendered people is the center of the film.
The greatest problem with the Danish Girl is its lack of heart. It's a problematic common thread that's becomes more apparent for director Tom Hooper every time he makes a film. Eddie Redmayne gives a fine performance, but his performance here is very much about the bells and whistles of a man becoming a woman and less about building a three dimensional character. (I'd say this is even more true for his Academy Award winning performance as Steven Hawking last year). Ultimately with the Danish Girl, you are left wanting more about "supporting" character Gerda. On a side, it was also nice to get some eye candy brought to the movie by the always delicious Matthias Schoenaerts. The Danish Girl is decently entertaining, but a story like this should be more than that.
Finally, the stop motion animated film Anomalisa could be about fleeting love. However, Charlie Kaufman could have started out making a film with such simple topic but then takes it down an odd, generally fantastic rabbit hole. It's difficult to explain what Anomalisa is about because as soon as you think you pin it down you make another discovery. But to simplify it is the story of Michael (voiced by David Thewis) who is on an overnight business trip in a life where everyone looks and sounds the same to him.
The film is interesting to watch because of how finely it details the mundaneness of different parts of life. In particular, it documents life in a generic business hotel perfectly. The film takes a turn into greatness when Michael meets Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh in one of her greatest roles even though it is only her voice). Leigh captures Lisa's insecurities perfectly, and I have no doubt that the animation was crafted by watching Jennifer Jason Leigh perform it. Unfortunately, the final act fell flat for me. Anomalisa should definitely be seen, because it is a love story like no other.
Carol 8 out of 10
The Danish Girl 7 out of 10
Anomalisa 8 out of 10
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Oscar nomination predictions!!
The Oscar nominations are tomorrow, and it has been a really good year in movies. As usual many films and performances will be "snubbed", but in such a great year there will be even more snubs. Here I take a stab at the Big 8 awards
Best picture
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Spotlight
Straight Outa Compton
If there are 7. Carol
If there are 8. Room
If there are 9. Brooklyn
If there are 10. Inside Out
Spoiler: Bridge of Spies
Best Director
Alejandro Inarritu The Revenant
Tom McCarthy Spotlight
Adam McCay The Big Short
George Miller Mad Max: Fury Road
Ridley Scott The Martian
Spoiler: Steven Spielberg Bridge of Spies
Best actor
Matt Damon the Martian
Johnny Depp Black Mass
Leonardo DiCaprio The Revenant
Michael Fassbender Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne The Danish Girl
Spoiler: Bryan Cranston Trumbo
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett Carol
Brie Larson Room
Rooney Mara Carol
Saoirse Ronan Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander The Danish Girl
Spoiler: Charlotte Rampling 45 Years
Best Supporting Actress
Jane Fonda Youth
Jennifer Jason Leigh the Hateful Eight
Helen Mirren Trumbo
Alicia Vikander Ex Machina
Kate Winslet Steve Jobs
Spoiler: Rooney Mara gets nominated here instead of Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale The Big Short
Idris Elba Beasts of No Nation
Mark Ruffalo Spotlight
Mark Rylance Bridge of Spies
Michael Shannon 99 Homes
Spoiler: Sylvester Stalline Creed
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short
Carol
The Martian
Room
Steve Jobs
Spoiler: Brooklyn
Best Original Screenplay
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Sicario
Spotlight
Spoiler: The Hateful Eight
I know I made some risky choices that'll be wrong, but I guarantee I'll be watching a lot of movies in the next month.
Best picture
The Big Short
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Spotlight
Straight Outa Compton
If there are 7. Carol
If there are 8. Room
If there are 9. Brooklyn
If there are 10. Inside Out
Spoiler: Bridge of Spies
Best Director
Alejandro Inarritu The Revenant
Tom McCarthy Spotlight
Adam McCay The Big Short
George Miller Mad Max: Fury Road
Ridley Scott The Martian
Spoiler: Steven Spielberg Bridge of Spies
Best actor
Matt Damon the Martian
Johnny Depp Black Mass
Leonardo DiCaprio The Revenant
Michael Fassbender Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne The Danish Girl
Spoiler: Bryan Cranston Trumbo
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett Carol
Brie Larson Room
Rooney Mara Carol
Saoirse Ronan Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander The Danish Girl
Spoiler: Charlotte Rampling 45 Years
Best Supporting Actress
Jane Fonda Youth
Jennifer Jason Leigh the Hateful Eight
Helen Mirren Trumbo
Alicia Vikander Ex Machina
Kate Winslet Steve Jobs
Spoiler: Rooney Mara gets nominated here instead of Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Christian Bale The Big Short
Idris Elba Beasts of No Nation
Mark Ruffalo Spotlight
Mark Rylance Bridge of Spies
Michael Shannon 99 Homes
Spoiler: Sylvester Stalline Creed
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short
Carol
The Martian
Room
Steve Jobs
Spoiler: Brooklyn
Best Original Screenplay
Bridge of Spies
Ex Machina
Inside Out
Sicario
Spotlight
Spoiler: The Hateful Eight
I know I made some risky choices that'll be wrong, but I guarantee I'll be watching a lot of movies in the next month.
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