tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83750447754816383712024-02-19T08:36:43.133-08:00Film WindowFilm Discussion/Nonsense by Someone Completely Unqualified.adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-41004175016365588222014-07-11T08:08:00.003-07:002014-07-11T08:11:22.439-07:00Top 4 Films of 2014 (So Far)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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As is my normal tendency, I got a
little stalled out this year on topics to write about in the spring and early
summer. That should change in a few weeks with my most anticipated film of the
year, <i>Boyhood</i>, seeing its release in
my neck of the woods on the 25<sup>th</sup> of this month. I will be first in
line.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHjta7U3KyofKFcIydWEGY59Yk23maKvOGDP0pWFWp-pwAiVtsMuhBBVaPWs-OVs2C9brR1mbBWXSZtf9n9O5gGyxbNY76x-S-dZQtEEZjHPFhyphenhyphenm9bFYj1JWezHXVqgZx7cuezkfzCnQ/s1600/Enemy+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHjta7U3KyofKFcIydWEGY59Yk23maKvOGDP0pWFWp-pwAiVtsMuhBBVaPWs-OVs2C9brR1mbBWXSZtf9n9O5gGyxbNY76x-S-dZQtEEZjHPFhyphenhyphenm9bFYj1JWezHXVqgZx7cuezkfzCnQ/s1600/Enemy+Poster.jpg" height="400" width="271" /></a>Until then, I wanted to catch
everyone up on the best few films I’ve been able to see this year. Out of the
15 or so titles I’ve seen from 2014, there are four that I feel are worthy of a “top”
list, but I didn’t feel strongly enough about a fifth film to round it out and
make it a top 5. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are a few films I simply
have not been able to catch yet although I really wanted to, including most
notably the Scarlett Johansson vehicle <i>Under
the Skin,</i> as well as blockbuster titles <i>Edge
of Tomorrow</i> and <i>Godzilla</i>. The
rest of the year is shaping up to be pretty great, as well. Until then, catch
up on the following titles if you haven’t been able to yet:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. </span></b><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Enemy</span></b></i></h2>
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Improving on his 2013 film <i>Prisoners</i>, director Denis Villeneuve
builds an eerie and genuinely unpleasant cinematic world around which to tell
his doppelganger story, which like his former effort also stars Jake Gyllenhaal.
A lonely and aloof college professor, Gyllenhaal’s character comes into contact
with a doppelganger who happens to be a brash and cocky aspiring actor, and the
film follows each character’s story as they attempt to resolve the mystery.
This is Gyllenhaal’s best performance to date in a dual role. The ending will
leave you gasping.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. </span></b><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Lego Movie</span></b></i></h2>
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I had to make room for one of the
two great features this year by directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and I
thought this film was superior in many ways to their recent comedy sequel <i>22 Jump Street. </i>Though the film is an
impeccable crafting of the many different worlds that Lego operates in, perhaps
the most impressive thing about this film is how it manages to remain hilarious
throughout while actually having some interesting thematic points of view. I can’t
wait for the inevitable sequel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2. </b></span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Chef</b></span></i></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ1XDWPHK4cKJLqKDVb0J6UIHzGk-ozLRzXZa-j0N9EguZ0DbOXWKHCuWrCjvV9Dy2X__zdln0j35vckLzceYMJnmdwRDgdngR5rvkDBDTEqFOmOQi1YrYYBwRAP8bMZLgBBrMgIWPwY/s1600/chef+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ1XDWPHK4cKJLqKDVb0J6UIHzGk-ozLRzXZa-j0N9EguZ0DbOXWKHCuWrCjvV9Dy2X__zdln0j35vckLzceYMJnmdwRDgdngR5rvkDBDTEqFOmOQi1YrYYBwRAP8bMZLgBBrMgIWPwY/s1600/chef+poster.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a>This was the biggest surprise of
the year for me so far. Jon Favreau writes, stars and directs in this comedy about
a chef that is a loose metaphor for his own career in the film industry. A
visionary chef in a renowned Los Angeles restaurant, Chef Carl Casper must
reinvent himself after his culinary endeavors are stifled and he subsequently
receives a blistering review from a food blogger. The story then becomes
somewhat of a travelogue, as it follows him and his son on a journey across the
continental U.S. in a food truck, as they attempt to restore their relationship
while Casper finds his voice as film director, ahem, I mean chef. It is
surprisingly sweet, funny, and has some of the best food porn in any movie I’ve
seen in awhile. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. </span></b><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Grand Budapest Hotel</span></b></i></h2>
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Sometimes, forces converge in a
director’s path that enables their voice to sing at its most beautiful pitch.
This is the case with Wes Anderson’s latest film, which I find to be his best.
The whimsical focus of the story, a concierge at the titular hotel played
wonderfully by Ralph Fiennes, is the exact type of material we’ve become used
to Anderson working with. But the backdrop of the imminent Nazi occupation of
Hungary and the ensuing World War allows him to add thematic depth and a sense
of meaning to the whole thing, and I wonder if this is Anderson acknowledging the
quaintness of his own work, while demanding that we don’t focus solely on the
hipster-glossiness of his films and mine for the truth that undoubtedly lies
within all his work. A real gem, this one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIft9lmB7N4CmXzjPyi_pgxG4AmEaxs34LQ4sFl-hEOQE4TcdgHOXQBz1n5C3Ag8uNcpfmn2SrlQhiD6CNXNXcZpoj1-TevU8OLHWKitW0J4pBvIfTNwGHe_3VWT9H2pPAL7R_ZMWaLFQ/s1600/banner-the-grand-budapest-hotel-film_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIft9lmB7N4CmXzjPyi_pgxG4AmEaxs34LQ4sFl-hEOQE4TcdgHOXQBz1n5C3Ag8uNcpfmn2SrlQhiD6CNXNXcZpoj1-TevU8OLHWKitW0J4pBvIfTNwGHe_3VWT9H2pPAL7R_ZMWaLFQ/s1600/banner-the-grand-budapest-hotel-film_1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-18258648837124294982014-04-01T18:53:00.000-07:002014-04-02T10:03:24.921-07:00What we talk about when we talk about "Noah"<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In my experience, the story of Noah found in Genesis ch. 6-9
is not discussed often in church past Sunday school classes for children. You
know, with the flannel boards for all the cute animals and the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r78BLBszQ0" target="_blank">songs about building an arky arky out of gopher barky barky?</a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL15s2w-9YY_K4e8YDfp4H8UJaN1AYotxaEMfQ2rMMPWbICPwNriwYAjWmDUz3RMvjRO_Dsd8WcO8Zp_mNLC-48xDG8dW0oyaTwY1UEq6ZMX5Ba3OWj9F3fCGBip7y-It-wTTHVAtUkn0/s1600/Noah-2014-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL15s2w-9YY_K4e8YDfp4H8UJaN1AYotxaEMfQ2rMMPWbICPwNriwYAjWmDUz3RMvjRO_Dsd8WcO8Zp_mNLC-48xDG8dW0oyaTwY1UEq6ZMX5Ba3OWj9F3fCGBip7y-It-wTTHVAtUkn0/s1600/Noah-2014-poster.jpg" height="400" width="286" /></a>When the reality about the story of Noah is that it is
sometimes profound, sometimes violent, sometimes sexually implicit, sometimes
mysterious and at some points downright bizarre.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For instance, an honest reading of the passages found in the
story of Noah might incite the following questions in the reader’s mind:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Why would an omniscient God, who exists outside
of time and has had a plan from the beginning of time, regret his own decision
to create Mankind?</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>If God is Love, as the Bible teaches, then why
does he commit genocide against mankind? Surely there were at very least innocent
children, toddlers, even infants who were drowned that did not deserve this
fate?</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>How did Noah deal with the potential guilt of
God choosing his family? Was this the reason one of the first things he did
after coming off the ark was to plant a vineyard so he could get blackout
drunk?</i></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
These are uncomfortable questions. Questions that should make us
wrestle with who God is. Questions that are debated heavily even among the most
learned of Biblical scholars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And here is where I confess that I don’t know the answers to
the questions above, and I doubt the sincerity of anyone who says they do. Fortunately
for me, my belief in God does not hinge on having
definitive answers for the multitudes of questions that I don’t know the
answers to. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Which brings me to the 2014 Darren Aronofsky film, “Noah.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADyQNpYj5YseOuGc6zbAAKwZ2CWiNx_gS9nFJcheaCCelk3TYqfP_wZgS8TFuostFefc6H-TkKTRwPvxsa79g9Krwm0B8Ksj6wtJUjYF0ZyXREuM6aLyoxrSVGqdUo3cjokDOQUFctL0/s1600/noah-2014-movie-stills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADyQNpYj5YseOuGc6zbAAKwZ2CWiNx_gS9nFJcheaCCelk3TYqfP_wZgS8TFuostFefc6H-TkKTRwPvxsa79g9Krwm0B8Ksj6wtJUjYF0ZyXREuM6aLyoxrSVGqdUo3cjokDOQUFctL0/s1600/noah-2014-movie-stills.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let me start off by just getting this out there: the film itself is mediocre.
Formally, it is a mixed bag of Aronofsky’s typical artistic visual style on one
hand, and some awful and even goofy CGI on the other. For instance, the
graphics in Noah’s recounting of the creation story to his family is
impressive, while the design of “The Watchers” (fallen angels that are
just...giants made of rocks?) is simply baffling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thematically, it does a few things very well, and a few
things very poorly. Although it does not strictly adhere to the Biblical text,
as many have taken it to task for, overall it does serve the greater purpose of
the story, which is that even though we are all corrupt, God gives us the
choice to follow him still.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But I’m not really here to offer my formal criticism of the
film. I’m here to offer why it is so important that Christians not be as
dismissive of the film as I have witnessed. I've read various pieces about why
Christians shouldn't see this movie, and decrying it for leading people astray
due to its Biblical inaccuracies (although it is adapted from ancient sources
other than the Bible…and was never intended to be a strictly Biblical film),
and because the director is an atheist. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And I’m here to say I thoroughly reject that response.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYimQUt-zFph1lkiyc9V2sEaTzZRgqHYCu-2D773RWFQyF6El_gjzesYdvYyAd_GvjO_ftGtF2leVHAqIEQ1lel8rgE5PQtdv-FcW9XiENnNnfqRwWosPliBNAMmCKiE0nBnH4wREfgw/s1600/sunset+noah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYimQUt-zFph1lkiyc9V2sEaTzZRgqHYCu-2D773RWFQyF6El_gjzesYdvYyAd_GvjO_ftGtF2leVHAqIEQ1lel8rgE5PQtdv-FcW9XiENnNnfqRwWosPliBNAMmCKiE0nBnH4wREfgw/s1600/sunset+noah.jpg" height="321" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
How often is Biblical narrative portrayed in popular culture?
Not often. So instead of being dismissive of the things it gets wrong (and it
does, trust me), why not use it as an opportunity to engage our neighbors? As
an opportunity to minister to and love them? A dismissive attitude ignores
those around us that may be seeking and knocking, and exchanges it for a cloak
of fear. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And it glosses over the big, giant questions about ancient
mysteries of life that this film presents:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Like why sometimes God feels so far away when we need him
the most. Or why our attempts to receive a sign from him can feel completely
futile. Or why knowing the right thing to do seems impossible at times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I don’t know the answer to these questions, yet I still
believe there is much to learn in the story of Noah, and there are deep truths about it whether one believes it to be a literal account or a symbolic one, as I do. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I believe that God gives us a choice. As God gave Noah the
choice to obey him and save humanity, so he gives us the choice save humanity
in our own ways by driving out hunger, prejudice, violence and hate so we may
administer a system based on love, purity, community and egalitarianism.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I believe that God is in the mission of bringing his people
out of exile. As God brought Noah out of the flood in the midst of a corrupt
civilization, he later brought Israel out of Egypt, and Babylon. And that
ultimately through Jesus he brought us out of the exile of sin and gave us a
new way of living.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And I believe that having questions about the nature of God is healthy, and that no questions are too big for God to handle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;">So for that reason I welcome the challenge of engaging
myself and others in the questions that “Noah” presents, and embracing the
mysteries of life. And I take issue with those who will not see the forest for the trees in this film. Because there is no reason to be afraid of the questions it asks. Because in Christ
we have a peace that surpasses understanding. Because we’re part of a battle
that’s already been won.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-18897020939557744902014-02-27T20:48:00.000-08:002014-02-28T07:45:35.894-08:00Final Oscar Predictions 2014<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
No
worthless blabber from me this year, there’s way too much ground to cover and
not enough time to cover it, so I’m going to just jump head-first right into my
official Academy Award predictions. I will not guarantee that you’ll win your
office pool with these, but I can guarantee that I’ve spent more time
researching these predictions than just about anyone who doesn’t do this
professionally and who's not actually a certified lunatic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
(Cracks
knuckles)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>BEST PICTURE:</u> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12 Years a Slave</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOMpl5GFRZ9IdTqwBrAO2p-ouxhid4j-rvbalWC-rreqdHfT8ESYVjHfvcZPBQcfgYkOZ5eEME7iKO2gLCrvAej9bwEMUqdLQk3uBbZyiEqyQtNCaPRmfCQ5G3B-Qk8PHLZmbSk66UOg/s1600/12-Years-a-Slave-teaser-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOMpl5GFRZ9IdTqwBrAO2p-ouxhid4j-rvbalWC-rreqdHfT8ESYVjHfvcZPBQcfgYkOZ5eEME7iKO2gLCrvAej9bwEMUqdLQk3uBbZyiEqyQtNCaPRmfCQ5G3B-Qk8PHLZmbSk66UOg/s1600/12-Years-a-Slave-teaser-poster.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 51.5<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before Midnight</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Welp, for the first time
since I’ve been doing this there appears to be an actual race for the Best
Picture award. The Producer’s Guild, usually the best indicator of what will end
up winning Best Picture, somehow managed a tie between <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i>
this year. However, the Director’s Guild gave their biggest prize to Alfonso
Cuaron for his directorial achievement with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i>.
The last time the Director’s Guild gave their top prize to a movie that DIDN’T go
on to win Best Picture was in 2005, with the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crash</i> over <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brokeback Mountain</i>
debacle. And it’s only happened three other times since 1989. And yet...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave </i>FEELS way more like a
Best Picture winner, doesn’t it? I want to quickly compare a few movies:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crash<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Driving Miss Daisy<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chariots of Fire<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In the Heat of the Night<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
What
do all these films have in common? Well, firstly, none of them won the Director’s
Guild Award for their year, but then went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
Secondly, they all involve race/culture relations (with all except <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chariots of Fire </i>being about black/white
relations in America). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
I find it interesting that in many cases, the Academy voters have felt some
sense of duty to be on the “right” side of history when it comes to casting a
vote for their top award. Yeah, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>is
a groundbreaking and enjoyable film, and they can still award it with a Best
Director Oscar. But when it comes to the top prize, the award everyone will
remember, the award that defines them as an awards body? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
It
HAS to be the movie depicting the horrors of slavery in America, right? The one
perceived as more important?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
even though I’ve debated this in my head a million times, and even switched my
vote while writing this column 800 times, it eventually came down to “which
film would I feel more stupid for being wrong about?” And there’s where I found
my answer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i> is my
official prediction. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST DIRECTOR:</u> </b>Alfonso Cuaron, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gravity</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 85<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> Steve McQueen, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Steve McQueen, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> Derek Cianfrance,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Place Beyond the Pines<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Won’t bore you all again with
a long-winded, metric-based discussion of why this award has to go to Cuaron,
but I don’t see any way that he loses this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ACTOR:</u> </b>Matthew McConaughey, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dallas Buyers Club</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVYQrkAxTc08uIfbICDjeBX3QkSG1Twxnj6MrWbGia_2q0sav-dLILZuUpwkYZ7pBpXiDkMzpbKHX5eZD8hkHj8vFpOfqfRWJrdEA9FdH909l9640_byMjkmmcIwB6WrIlFNA4h-X2K4/s1600/dallas-buyers-club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVYQrkAxTc08uIfbICDjeBX3QkSG1Twxnj6MrWbGia_2q0sav-dLILZuUpwkYZ7pBpXiDkMzpbKHX5eZD8hkHj8vFpOfqfRWJrdEA9FdH909l9640_byMjkmmcIwB6WrIlFNA4h-X2K4/s1600/dallas-buyers-club.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 75<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> Leonardo DiCaprio, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Leonardo DiCaprio, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> Oscar Isaac, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside Llewyn Davis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>I have a sneaking suspicion
about Leo’s chances here, but only two actors have ever won an Oscar without
getting a Screen Actor’s Guild nomination, of which Leo didn’t. Christoph Waltz
managed to pull it off last year for only the second time ever, but the odds
are clearly against it. Having said that, this category has the biggest
possibility for a surprise upset, as I could legitimately see any of the four
other nominees stealing it from McConaughey.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ACTRESS:</u> </b>Cate Blanchett, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blue Jasmine</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 98.5<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> Amy Adams, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Cate Blanchett, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine</i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> Greta Gerwig, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frances Ha<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Recent Woody Allen
controversies withstanding, Dame Blanchett has this award in the bag. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:</u> </b>Jared Leto, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dallas Buyers Club</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 99.5<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> Michael Fassbender, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Jared Leto, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyers Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> Bradley Cooper,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Place Beyond the Pines<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>The most sure-fire bet of all
the acting awards. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS</u>: </b>Lupita Nyongo,
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12 Years a Slave</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 60<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> Jennifer Lawrence, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Jennifer Lawrence, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle </i>(though Lupita would be
a very worthy winner)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> Margot Robbie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Bit of a two-way race here
between Nyongo and last year’s Best Actress winner, miss J-Law. Which is
exactly the reason I don’t believe she will win this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY</u>: </b><i>American Hustle</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 55<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPL6rTytJjIsUk-vSgtJ8FXc9hxpx30icxtt4wk3tkgHsMFp4RXBx1hEFVNOYUoeQmhe715BalEAU-9DUsGAN7WS5dL8J5M9AVqVZrunMojtM4Cw7MJIvXn8icaZ4mWZlUAJNx7YnpGHc/s1600/american-hustle-bradley-cooper-hair-in-rollers-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPL6rTytJjIsUk-vSgtJ8FXc9hxpx30icxtt4wk3tkgHsMFp4RXBx1hEFVNOYUoeQmhe715BalEAU-9DUsGAN7WS5dL8J5M9AVqVZrunMojtM4Cw7MJIvXn8icaZ4mWZlUAJNx7YnpGHc/s1600/american-hustle-bradley-cooper-hair-in-rollers-review.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frances Ha<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>The debate with this
prediction is that it I think <i>Her</i> could very well win, but then that means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle</i> racked up 10 nominations and went home empty-handed (unless, as
I note above, J-Law pulls off her second straight Oscar win). And wonky things
always seem to happen in the screenplay categories. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 75<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philomena <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before Midnight<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before Midnight</i> got the nomination, and
that’s the most important thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>A Best Picture winner rarely
loses this award (it happened in 2012 with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Artist</i>, but, that was a silent film). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ANIMATED FEATURE</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frozen</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 80<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wind Rises</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win:</b> Whoops...didn’t see any of
these.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b>I literally
didn’t see a single animated film this year. Totally unacceptable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments:</b> The Academy usually likes to reward
more artistic films like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wind Rises</i>
with a nomination, but that seems to be as far as they’ll go. It finally
appears to be Disney’s year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">20 Feet From Stardom</i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 55<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Act of Killing</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Act of Killing</i> is great and you should watch it on Netflix
streaming as soon as you get a chance. Does not seem to be an “Academy” movie
to me. Which is why a lot of people are predicting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Square, </i>a cultural documentary about Egyptian revolutionaries.
It’s really too bad that Sarah Polley’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stories
We Tell </i>couldn’t manage a nomination, because I think it would have gone on
to win.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Okay, it’s clear that I’m
just stalling and I have no handle on this category whatsoever. Next. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great Beauty</i></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>50<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Broken Circle Breakdown</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Usually there’s a clear
winner in this category, but it appears to be a race this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY</u>: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gravity</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>95<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prisoners</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To the Wonder</i>, obviously. But I also
wish <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave </i>could have made
it in (let’s be honest and admit that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska</i>
would not have been here if it weren’t in black and white).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emmanuel Lubezki</i>, director of photography on such films as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Tree of Life, Children of Men, </i>and
this year’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To The Wonder</i>, looks to
win his first award for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>after
having been previously nominated five times without a win. Rarely do Best
Picture nominees lose to non-Best Picture nominees in this category, and the
only other Best Picture nom here is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska.
Gravity</i> has this one in the bag.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqRmIbDFF00XFqDXP4vIpHVxldxLCunZnXwpt8eq-LkQTEOm3tq_ZJ867c4y7SE6L086vfUhJ6HeRQ7jHZ19acKxFK1p51Wnyg6Bqa4BkU5WoyMmflmv81LKdo2l_fDporY5hnWvpMxY/s1600/gravity-2k-hd-trailer-stills-movie-bullock-cuaron-clooney-271.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqRmIbDFF00XFqDXP4vIpHVxldxLCunZnXwpt8eq-LkQTEOm3tq_ZJ867c4y7SE6L086vfUhJ6HeRQ7jHZ19acKxFK1p51Wnyg6Bqa4BkU5WoyMmflmv81LKdo2l_fDporY5hnWvpMxY/s1600/gravity-2k-hd-trailer-stills-movie-bullock-cuaron-clooney-271.png" height="264" width="640" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u></u></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u></u></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN</u>: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Great Gatsby</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>68<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her</i>, obviously<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gatsby</i> appears to satisfy the tech award category mantra of “Best =
Most” and the always-gaudy Baz Lurhmann seems to have done just that this year
with a quantity over quality approach to his adaptation of the Fitzgerald
novel. Four Best Picture hopefuls are waiting in the wings with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle </i>and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her </i>all exhibiting worthy work, but
there doesn’t seem to be a clear frontrunner among them to topple <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gatsby</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST COSTUME DESIGN</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great Gatsby<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>70<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments:</b> See above. Costume and
Production Design seem to go hand-in-hand fairly often, though I’m wondering if
some voters will cast their vote for the glitzy costume-work in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hustle </i>as a consolation prize for
missing out on other top awards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyers Club<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>95<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b>Actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bad Grandpa </i>might have a chance.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyers Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave </i>(I’m sorry, I’m trying
to keep my personal biases out of this, but, sorry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments:</b> Best Picture nom against
non-Best Picture noms. Easy money. Moving along...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST FILM EDITING</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>68.5<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b>I’ll let <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i> have this one even though I
loved the editing in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b>Both the
crisply-moving <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frances Ha</i> and the
wonderfully drawn-out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall
Street </i>exhibit how important editing is to telling the type of story you
want to tell. They each worked wonderfully for opposite reasons, and both
deserved to be in this field over the severely undercooked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle</i>, which might be the single worst nomination in any
category this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Look out for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips</i>, as the last Paul
Greengrass film to be nominated here won the award (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bourne Ultimatum</i>).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST VISUAL EFFECTS</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure:</b> 10,320<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b>A short film that I just
made on my iPhone about me doing the dishes, because it literally has as much
of a chance as winning as anything else not named <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST SOUND MIXING</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>97.5<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Conjuring<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Best Picture hopeful that’s
also a big blockbuster = lots of Oscar wins in technical categories. This is a
tried and true Oscar rule.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST SOUND EDITING</u>: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lone Survivor<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b>who cares.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Last year, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zero Dark Thirty </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Skyfall </i>tied to<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>squeeze this one out over the otherwise heavily-awarded <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life of Pi</i>, but it seems like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i> is such a tech-monolith this
year that I don’t anticipate that will happen with, say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lone Survivor</i> (also, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zero
Dark Thirty</i> had a lot of other nominations and was a Best Picture
contender, so that means something there, I think).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ORIGINAL SCORE</u>:</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>60<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Win: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Should Have Been There: </b>Not a great
year for original scores, but I liked both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her
</i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>pretty well.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQVPQDS1_yxniGNCbVPUkQ4hxl9Lq-Y5nLLvW-dN1H5I-71fGKU7-FwkvbGKPE5OckXlA_2vzgMd-sjlmx807ws62gXTHQbLlQNsrC-xjT5WYfsyFWdc6zHsjU7Sbmb8jNvK0GwxCfjU/s1600/Disney-Frozen-Poster-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQVPQDS1_yxniGNCbVPUkQ4hxl9Lq-Y5nLLvW-dN1H5I-71fGKU7-FwkvbGKPE5OckXlA_2vzgMd-sjlmx807ws62gXTHQbLlQNsrC-xjT5WYfsyFWdc6zHsjU7Sbmb8jNvK0GwxCfjU/s1600/Disney-Frozen-Poster-2013.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Don’t have a great feel for
this category. It’s mainly a case of “no other good nominees” that will
probably propel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>toward one of
it’s many wins of the night. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST ORIGINAL SONG</u>: “</b>Let it Go” from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frozen</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>95<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments:</b> Whatever. Always my least
favorite category of the night. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The tween and gay faction of viewers will
enjoy this win.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM</u>: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Get a Horse!</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>85<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>Disney will kick off their
two-win night with an award for this fun little short film (barring an Original
Score win for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saving Mr. Banks</i>). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM</u>:</b> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Voorman Problem</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">% Sure: </b>Whatever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comments: </b>The only English language
short film. Next.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>BEST DOCUMENTARY, SHORT SUBJECTS</u>:</b> </span>The
one about the 109 year old Holocaust survivor seems about right. No other
commentary necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-30004148615154087162014-02-15T09:07:00.002-08:002014-02-18T08:24:29.949-08:00In Defense of Film: The Top 10 Films of 2013<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
In
late 2013, A.O. Scott of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York
Times</i> wrote an article entitled <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/magazine/the-big-picture-strikes-back.html?_r=0" target="_blank">“The Big Picture Strikes Back</a>,” a piece I
considered to be one of the year’s best film-related articles. It was a thread
I had picked up on earlier in the year, and had been heavily considering as I
entered and exited various theaters throughout 2013. As usual, Scott knocked it
out of the park with his take, but I think the idea behind Cinema vs.
Television deserves enough space for a small-fry blogger such as myself to
offer his own thoughts on the subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So,
for this year, instead of posting my Top 10 list along with the usual little
blurb on each of the films, I thought I would take a broader approach and
discuss some of them in the context of this larger conversation that’s been
happening around film and television for the past few years. I’ve posted my Top
10 list below, but overall I won’t discuss every film on the list, and I might
also include discussion on some films that didn’t make my list, but that add to
the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cy4t8nxH5jiX3AWuuhuJK4IiwOaMhMsj5k9o0HZqGkThEkDl7hfB0kKjl0Rlw3GMlJVFnEo8zTVwgyHvP3GcZ-R1au-tC6Ffu6nFVaw36L-tcvpePKQlb0C6wgyta2lrSpdr50t-Y6g/s1600/gravity-sandra-bullock-636-370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cy4t8nxH5jiX3AWuuhuJK4IiwOaMhMsj5k9o0HZqGkThEkDl7hfB0kKjl0Rlw3GMlJVFnEo8zTVwgyHvP3GcZ-R1au-tC6Ffu6nFVaw36L-tcvpePKQlb0C6wgyta2lrSpdr50t-Y6g/s1600/gravity-sandra-bullock-636-370.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a>As
most of my readers are aware, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Breaking
Bad</i> had it’s final eight-episode half-season run from August through September of last year, and pretty handily dominated the pop-culture landscape for those eight weeks, and deservingly so. The critical and commercial success of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Breaking
Bad</i> seemed to put somewhat of a period on a decade and a half of marvelous
television storytelling, which has given us everything from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Sopranos, </i>to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lost</i>, to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mad Men</i> and of
course, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wire</i>.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Concurrently
with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Breaking Bad</i>’s final run, the
cinema had been pumping out its normal end-of-summer crapfest, with
big-budgeted gaudiness such as Neill Blomkamp’s misguided <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elysium</i> failing both critically and commercially. I had begun to think
that the best stories were being told on television, and moreover, that the
perceived limitations of the medium were actually in its favor, because the
episodic structure at least somewhat forces good writing, acting, and plot
development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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My
attitude changed somewhat, when five days after the finale of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Breaking Bad</i>, I went to see a little
film called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>(#7). Set in
space just outside of earth, filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron uses 3D technology and
weightless camera movement to achieve an overwhelming sense of imbalance and
vertigo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emotional and spiritual
journey of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) as she attempts to forge her way
back to earth after debris destroys her spaceship works seamlessly as a
thematic complement to the visual wizardry on display. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNbhiAdWef5mJoh_pYqJ9WrrmdmGRdOhMNfCwx_UQpl73mataAkyMlMc7EzLRVudYfuq_0kG5Qjix15unZ10MoJ_EPVGG2CYWnY_6ifvAQz6YSyeQyJUqTrUT6iXilGe7RgYu3PyADvc/s1600/All+is+lost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNbhiAdWef5mJoh_pYqJ9WrrmdmGRdOhMNfCwx_UQpl73mataAkyMlMc7EzLRVudYfuq_0kG5Qjix15unZ10MoJ_EPVGG2CYWnY_6ifvAQz6YSyeQyJUqTrUT6iXilGe7RgYu3PyADvc/s1600/All+is+lost.jpg" height="264" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous crane shot from <i>All is Lost</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
A
film that didn’t quite make my Top 10, director J.C. Chandor’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All is Lost</i>, is probably another one of
the year’s best examples of a film that would not be successful in any other
medium. Set in the Indian Ocean, Robert Redford stars as an aging sailor who is
stranded at sea when his boat is damaged by a loose shipping container. The
one-man-act contains exactly one paragraph of spoken word, a monologue at the
beginning of the film. Like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i>,
it is in many ways a stripped down film that forces introspection about coming
to terms with one’s own demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
lucky we are to have filmmakers brave enough to tackle these subjects in such
interesting and fully cinematic ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Relationships
were explored in new ways this year as well. A trio of films on my Top 10, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before Midnight </i>(#2)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, The Place Beyond the Pines</i> (#3)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>and <a href="http://filmwindow.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-to-wonder.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To the Wonder</i> </a>(#9),
contemplate marriage, father-son relationships, and romance, respectively. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before Midnight </i>is the third film in the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before</i> series by Richard Linklater,
each set nine years apart from one another. It is a rare treasure in cinema to
see characters change and grow over an 18-year period. Each of the three
chapters take place over mere hours and yet somehow successfully tell the story
of entire lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj_y32NSiCgnPEpFy4Onj3aJ4C_mvkpj1fkP65H7-wyP5159KYYBj48z83FCItYV2QhfuHPTrvFA_Dos7ETlbLTDUTIiRLchaxFXFrlstUm03Q8zvzQ-nzbP4BXUlyE3KA4TNkXi2qUM/s1600/130328_MOV_PlaceBeyondPines.jpg.CROP.rectangle3-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj_y32NSiCgnPEpFy4Onj3aJ4C_mvkpj1fkP65H7-wyP5159KYYBj48z83FCItYV2QhfuHPTrvFA_Dos7ETlbLTDUTIiRLchaxFXFrlstUm03Q8zvzQ-nzbP4BXUlyE3KA4TNkXi2qUM/s1600/130328_MOV_PlaceBeyondPines.jpg.CROP.rectangle3-large.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Place Beyond the Pines, </i>a film that
I regretfully never wrote a review of this year, has an interweaving three-act
structure involving fathers and sons that unfolds like a modern Dickens novel.
Derek Cianfrance, director of 2010’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue
Valentine,</i> improves
on his solid rookie effort drastically, which successfully expresses
how legacy can beget both privilege and suppression. The two and a half hour
runtime only heightens the impact as Cianfrance peels back layer after
layer, until a core of thematic truth hits you like a pile of bricks in the
film’s final moments. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
find it ironic that two inarguable cinematic masters tackled success and
failure in New York City this year – Martin Scorsese with the relentless <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street </i>(#4) and the
Coen brothers with the slow-simmering <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside
Llewyn Davis </i>(#5). These two stories could almost work as a double-feature
film, as both are centered around flat-out assholes for protagonists – one, an
imposturous but riotously successful Wall Street Banker, and the other a floundering
60’s folk singer whose devotion to his artistry is both his guiding star and
his Achilles heel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The storytelling
prowess of these two directors could propel them to success in just about any
medium, but the particular structures they operated in this year allowed them
to fully explore the circumstances of characters who manage to learn absolutely
nothing over the course of their story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">* * *</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJmZx6xcjFs-3C0lSeOLl2GKjBR75PEUK51kfh7WtjqXhGFM2OMfentyvI3pluIu9R94nNvlBWc-IKTpqPGrZCVKiof6yWCSevmw4k6YuZAHA9o3MuPL15BQOolt2HeToMGgYyFSjENs/s1600/Star+Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJmZx6xcjFs-3C0lSeOLl2GKjBR75PEUK51kfh7WtjqXhGFM2OMfentyvI3pluIu9R94nNvlBWc-IKTpqPGrZCVKiof6yWCSevmw4k6YuZAHA9o3MuPL15BQOolt2HeToMGgYyFSjENs/s1600/Star+Child.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a>Finally,
I would be remiss to neglect mentioning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12
Years a Slave </i>(#1) in the context of this discussion though I’ve already
<a href="http://filmwindow.blogspot.com/2013/11/0-0-1-803-4583-south-texas-college-of.html" target="_blank">dug into it thoroughly here</a>. When I consider television shows I love, the first
aspect that comes to mind is characters. I think of Jerry Seinfeld, Don Draper,
Homer Simpson and Walter White. When I think of movies, however, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">imagery</i> is the first thing that comes to
mind. I think of Janet Leigh’s screaming face in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psycho</i>, and Anton Chigurh staring down a west-Texas gas station
owner in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Country for Old Men</i>, and Kubrick’s
shuddering “star-child” at the conclusion of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2001: A Space Odyssey</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
For
me, at least two images from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a
Slave</i> belong in a conversation alongside some of the very best single shots
in film history. The first is an extended shot that I discussed in my review of
the film, which shows the main character, Solomon Northup, hanging from a tree
across a period of hours. This shot, and the movie in general, isn’t
particularly representative of the cinematic innovation I’ve been discussing
here, and yet, there is a modernity to it that I’m not sure America realized it
was ready for until director Steve McQueen showed us the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIbRtTiKPPf36rOr6HLGnb9Ntr_eVMX9ds7fUP7fNaFdEHIEggkUZHp5a6bt0MFD-Z0W_SGISVDCx41zwktgg33GVGy87eJCHOvwOm6EJaBYSbykcFsVhaoIjcgO55Mmk1uYpI0bbsbo/s1600/hanging+scene.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIbRtTiKPPf36rOr6HLGnb9Ntr_eVMX9ds7fUP7fNaFdEHIEggkUZHp5a6bt0MFD-Z0W_SGISVDCx41zwktgg33GVGy87eJCHOvwOm6EJaBYSbykcFsVhaoIjcgO55Mmk1uYpI0bbsbo/s1600/hanging+scene.png" height="270" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The single most memorable image for me from 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
second shot, and the subtler of the two, comes about three quarters of the way through the
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing in a field alone and slowly
looking around at nothing in particular, Northup stands left of center in the frame.
For a brief, breathtaking moment, Northup fixes his piercing gaze directly into
the camera, as though to say, “this is not the story of me – it is the story of
all of us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
These
two shots, and a third – an extended close-up take in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity </i>(pictured above) in which Sandra Bullock desperately attempts to stabilize
her oxygen use – will be the chief take-aways for my cinema experience this
year. I hope as television continues to tell great stories, film will continue
to find new ways to distinguish itself by innovating and surprising us.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><u>The Top 10 Films of 2013</u></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>1. 12 Years a Slave</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>2. Before Midnight</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>3. The Place Beyond the Pines</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>4. The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>5. Inside Llewyn Davis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>6. Frances Ha<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>7. Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>8. Blue Jasmine<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>9. To the Wonder<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<i>10. Enough Said</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><u>Honorable Mentions</u></b> </span>(No
particular order):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prisoners</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don Jon</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fruitvale Station<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All is Lost<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Short Term 12<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spring Breakers</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-13729959924953769232014-01-15T19:21:00.001-08:002014-01-16T06:00:36.373-08:00Oscar Bait: Oscar Nomination Predictions 2014<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
My
obsession with film awards season has been well-documented on this blog for the
past 4 years (wow, I can’t believe I’ve been writing this blog for 4 years),
which makes me sad to report that my attempt to crack the Oscar code was
derailed a little this winter at the hands of the job carousel and a series of
other unfortunate events, including two catastrophic car failures and me having
to take public transportation for the better part of 4 weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
However,
Sunday evening’s Golden Globes ceremony really oiled my prediction gears, as
I spent an unreasonably long time (see: at least 3 hours -- okay, it was 5) doing research to
correctly predict all the film awards given out by the HFPA that night, in
which I went a solid 8/10, correctly predicting all six acting awards, director
and Best Comedy and incorrectly predicting Best Drama and Screenplay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
So
I’m back in the game now a little and plan on riding my wave of Golden Globes
success through nomination morning tomorrow and ending up with hopefully my
most successful predictions ever for the Oscars themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Below
are my nomination predictions for the 8 major categories at the Oscars. As
always, I try and break each group down just a little to give you a little
insight for where I’m at with any particular category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, as always, feel free to come back
tomorrow morning after the announcement and laugh at how wrong I am.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">BEST PICTURE</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Locks:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Relatively Safe:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Good Value Bets:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyer’s Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Bad Value Bet:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saving Mr. Banks<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Long Odds:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage County<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philomena<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside Llewyn Davis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Butler<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Predictions:</u></b> I’m going
with 9 nominees again this year: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a
Slave, American Hustle, Gravity, Captain Phillips, The Wolf of Wall Street, Her, Dallas Buyers Club,
Nebraska, </i>and my biggest No Guts No Glory prediction of the day: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage </i>County. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
If I
were to predict 9 or 10 I’d feel comfortable adding<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Saving Mr. Banks </i>and one of the other long shots.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really straying from convention with my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage </i>County prediction, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saving Mr. Banks </i>will probably make beat
it out, but without a DGA, SAG, or WGA nomination backing it, I feel justified
in leaving it out of my predictions. I also REALLY want to look like a genius
and add <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside Llewyn Davis</i> to my
prediction list, but alas, I already used my No Guts No Glory prediction on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage County</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE</span><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Locks:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Matthew
McConaughey, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyers Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Tom
Hanks, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pretty Much a Lock:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Bruce
Dern, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Chiwetel
Ejiofor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lots of Great Performances That Will
Probably Be Screwed:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Leonardo
DiCaprio, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Robert
Redford, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All is Lost<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Joaquin
Phoenix, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Christian
Bale, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Oscar
Isaac, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside Llewyn Davis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Forrest
Whitaker, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Butler<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Predictions</u></b>: McConaughey,
Hanks, Ejiofor, Dern, and DiCaprio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Robert Redford could very well get in here, but I’m not so sure it would
be over DiCaprio, even though that seems to be conventional wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first four names in the category seem SO
solid though, that I can’t possibly make myself remove any of them in favor of
Redford.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Locks:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Cate
Blanchett, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Sandra
Bullock, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Think She’s Safe?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Judi
Dench, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philomena<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Emma
Thompson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saving Mr. Banks</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vying for the 5<sup>th</sup> Slot:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Amy
Adams, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Meryl
Streep, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage County<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Predictions:</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Blanchett, Bullock, Thomspon, Adams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe Ms. Adams win at the Golden Globes
shows some support for her performance, propelling her to a nomination over
Queen Streep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would not in any way be
shocked if Meryl gets in over Emma Thompson, though. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE</span><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lock it Down:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Jared
Leto, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyers Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Michael
Fassbender, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Feeling Confident:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Barkhad
Abdi, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Don’t Know Who The Hell is Getting in Out
of These People:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
James
Gandolfini, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enough Said<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Bradley
Cooper, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Daniel
Bruhl, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rush</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Will
Forte, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Jonah
Hill, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Predictions:</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Leto, Fassbender, Abdi, Gandolfini,
Cooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think a LOT of people are
sleeping on Will Forte’s chances here, and I for one will not be shocked at all
to see his name mentioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I’m
sticking with these five here against my poorer judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE</span></b>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lock, Stock & Barrel:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Jennifer
Lawrence, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Lupita
Nyong’o, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Safe Bets:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
June
Squibb, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Julia
Roberts, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage County<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Oprah
Winfrey, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Butler<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Waiting in the Wings:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Sally
Hawkins, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Final
Predictions: Lawrence, Nyong’o, Squibb, Winfrey, Roberts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These five seem extremely solid despite a few
mentions here and there for Ms. Hawkins. If someone outside of these six make
it into the lineup, a lot of prognosticators will fall out of their chair
tomorrow morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">BEST DIRECTOR</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lock, Lock, Lock it Down:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Steve
McQueen, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Alfonso
Cuaron, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not as Safe as Everyone Thinks:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
David
O. Russell, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Bloodbath for Two More Slots:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Paul
Greengrass, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Martin
Scorsese, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Spike
Jonze, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Alexander
Payne, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Joel
& Ethan Coen, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside Llewyn Davis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Predictions:</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>McQueen, Cuaron, Russell, Scorsese,
and...Greengrass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately this is
the same five nominated by the DGA this year, which never matches with the
Oscars 5/5, but I just can’t figure out who I would take out of the lineup,
even though conventional wisdom would say Spike Jonze is a sure thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This category had some CRAZY movement last
year from the norm, and has a history of being unconventional, so nothing will
surprise me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Locks:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyers Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nebraska<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Poised for the Upset:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside Llewyn Davis<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Predictions:</u></b> I feel
extremely confident in my locks. I can’t see anything else making the cut in that
category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which, as you know, means I’m
really, really wrong about something, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inside
Llewyn Davis </i>will somehow get in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Locks:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Before Midnight<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">On the Safe Side:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Wolf of Wall Street<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philomena<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August: Osage County<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Rest of the Field:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Short Term 12<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lone Survivor<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Final Prediction</u>: </b>Sticking to my
first five here: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave, Before
Midnight, The Wolf of Wall Street, Philomena </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Captain Phillips</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-39712158703434870052013-12-08T18:42:00.000-08:002013-12-09T09:20:59.551-08:00Oscar Bait: Best Actress in a Leading Role<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<h3>
A Ranking of the Year's Most Enticing Awards Bait</h3>
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In
this installment of my new Oscar Bait feature, I’m covering the Best Actress
race for this year’s Oscars, which is as hammy as ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you missed Part I, in which I covered the
Best Picture race as it stood at the end of October, I hope you’ll check it out
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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The
Best Actress race is always interesting for a few reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one thing, the Academy has a sordid
history when it comes to diversity in this award – only one actress of color
has ever won the award (Halle Barry, as I think we all recall), and it is also
not often given to older actresses – for evidence of this confirmation, check
out the below age distribution of the four Oscars for acting:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYiy-0o3B3h0hxLSSwxat7f0sxtzIOfjilljzJMc-ir6YN3HglDYgNszFDcb6cZkIbPD5PGWxOs-EGN17APfgv0YuqkHV8miFKnEe78XR2iXfSDxv5Mh7O_rQ0xfYkrYEnZTWcsEZb9M/s1600/age+distribution+chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYiy-0o3B3h0hxLSSwxat7f0sxtzIOfjilljzJMc-ir6YN3HglDYgNszFDcb6cZkIbPD5PGWxOs-EGN17APfgv0YuqkHV8miFKnEe78XR2iXfSDxv5Mh7O_rQ0xfYkrYEnZTWcsEZb9M/s400/age+distribution+chart.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Those
statistics make this year’s race pretty interesting, since 4 of my top 5 on the
list are over 50 and the other is knocking at the door at age 49.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So maybe that statistic will be thrown out
the window this year? Or maybe it means that I am overlooking the possibilities
of a couple of younger ingénues, such as Amy Adams in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Hustle</i> or Adele Exarchopoulos<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>in foreign sensation <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue is
the Warmest Color</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
other factor that makes my below-predicted list interesting and questionable is
that it consists of all former Oscar winners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That had never happened in any category in Oscar history until last
year’s Best Supporting Actor lineup, making it quite anomalous if it were to
happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet when pressed, none of
the fringe candidates for that 5<sup>th</sup> slot seem formidable enough to
knock out Ms. Streep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an ongoing
situation I’ll have to monitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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For
the time being, here are the official Oscar Bait rankings for Best Actress as
of November, 2013:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(1) Cate Blanchett, </b></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Blue
Jasmine</b></span></i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLWph8j7lpzQc8UKkMRYAe25RzudkT9xmiAPi7X4Xu2p60tcfXhqleFSEBQygBrsj8FbqPGRJHP6M4RjTZCLBgFNojXMOtTBAPvpqLC0ddEgB3DOnAaA5p565Pi6BsiqvHqOj8A6JIMc/s1600/Cate+blanchett.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLWph8j7lpzQc8UKkMRYAe25RzudkT9xmiAPi7X4Xu2p60tcfXhqleFSEBQygBrsj8FbqPGRJHP6M4RjTZCLBgFNojXMOtTBAPvpqLC0ddEgB3DOnAaA5p565Pi6BsiqvHqOj8A6JIMc/s320/Cate+blanchett.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This
is really one of the baitiest performances in recent memory by an actress, and
you know what? It’s an excellent one that deserves every bit of praise and
awards it will get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woody Allen has
directed 16 performances to an Oscar nomination, and 6 of those to a win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5 of the 6 Oscar-winning performances in his
films have been women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gotta give it up
to the Woodster, the man knows how to direct crazy female characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">(2) Sandra Bullock, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Gravity</span></i></b></span></div>
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A
physical and emotional performance in one of the year’s most acclaimed and
financially successful films, Bullock digs deeper than she ever has in Alfonso
Cuaron’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gravity</i> without sacrificing
too many of her quintessential “Bullock-isms.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That last factor is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Oscars love it when stars that have an established film-persona
break character, without losing the things that make them a star in the first
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could cite numerous examples
here, but Exhibit A is Julia Roberts in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Erin
Brockovich</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that this film
will be vying to win the whole damn thing on Oscar night (unlike Ms.
Blanchett’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Jasmine</i>) certainly
gives SaBu an outside shot at stealing her 2<sup>nd</sup> leading actress
Oscar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWF4F02uY75B4F0j2v8GLf_6-pj61MH7FPMTV6dNohyphenhyphenspK9-nPSF8UnAlYhPXHkY1Veo5Uo6r-hnfTWtbK6wmkKnOL05-CqZorKyoX1Zq-z88g1mJUllEGL2Bs96OU1v6XA8xjOfUhvQ/s1600/saving+mr+banks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWF4F02uY75B4F0j2v8GLf_6-pj61MH7FPMTV6dNohyphenhyphenspK9-nPSF8UnAlYhPXHkY1Veo5Uo6r-hnfTWtbK6wmkKnOL05-CqZorKyoX1Zq-z88g1mJUllEGL2Bs96OU1v6XA8xjOfUhvQ/s320/saving+mr+banks.jpeg" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">(3) Emma Thompson, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: x-large;">Saving Mr. Banks</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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Don’t
count out this Brit veteran who has been around the Oscar block a few times,
with a win both in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> acting and writing. </span>Remarkably, it’s been 17 years since she was last a nominee, but Ms.
Thompson has still been as prolific as ever during that period, so it was only
a matter of time before she would end up there again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
role as the persnickety P.L. Travers, writer of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mary Poppins</i>, is sure to be entertaining and received well commercially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt she will win many critics awards for
this role but she promises to rack up enough precursor nominations and perhaps
wins to make her a viable contender on Oscar night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>(4) Judi Dench, </b></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Philomena</b></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Ah, Ms. Dench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other</i> Brit veteran in this year’s
race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Playing the amazingly baity role
of a woman trying to locate her son that she gave up for adoption, Dench will still probably have a mountain to climb to beat the three
contenders ahead of her. However, she is solidly in in place for a nomination at this
point and with Oscar guru Harvey Weinstein backing her campaign, I’m not ready
to count her out for the win, either.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(5) Meryl Streep, </b></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>August:
Osage County</b></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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I
have no idea if Meryl Streep will be able to snag a nom this year or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually when she looks at a camera Oscar will
shower her with praise, but her last few roles have been mightily hammy, and
I’m wondering this will begin to show its wear with the Oscar voters this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really have little interest in
seeing the not-well-reviewed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">August:
Osage County </i>but I am curious to decide for myself whether this is a
performance that will be worthy of a nomination, should she get one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-8017269230852667962013-11-09T13:15:00.001-08:002013-11-11T14:37:57.906-08:00Review: "12 Years a Slave"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Roll Jordan<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Roll, roll Jordan, roll<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I want to go to heaven when I die<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To hear Jordan roll (roll, roll, roll)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
camera lingers on Solomon Northup’s face as plantation slaves repeat the
refrain of the Negro spiritual at a gravesite, after one of their fellow slaves
dies suddenly in the cotton fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
him, he has only been a slave for a handful of years at this point in the film
and appears hesitant, but for the others present you get the feeling that it’s
an accepted part of their world – not that it ever gets any easier when someone
passes away – but more in a way that suggests they’ve sung that hymn so many
times that a callous is beginning to form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As intensity builds in the song, Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) closes his
eyes and begins to sing loudly about the idea of a better place, and at that
point his prayer becomes our prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tJzwjsBrzgk9vGhRRmfP0KyHrC2wMEGKqlL1h7dNLYh0xFF0d3Pqf5zC7U-z33ACXaw1iwR_VUZDLosXwfA2wwpSEEpH_j-XsyqCxpPsWmrqz-7BfoNKvzj35_j4kVLOhB4P9-o6oBo/s1600/12+Years+a+Slave+(2013)+CAM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tJzwjsBrzgk9vGhRRmfP0KyHrC2wMEGKqlL1h7dNLYh0xFF0d3Pqf5zC7U-z33ACXaw1iwR_VUZDLosXwfA2wwpSEEpH_j-XsyqCxpPsWmrqz-7BfoNKvzj35_j4kVLOhB4P9-o6oBo/s400/12+Years+a+Slave+(2013)+CAM1.jpg" width="255" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
chorus suggests the dual-meaning of those singing it: first, a prayer that the
departed slave will make it to Heaven, and secondly, hoping that they
themselves will cross a river into a promised land of sorts, much like the
Israelites of the book of Joshua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike
the Israelites, Northup has tasted the milk and honey of the promised land
already, having built a life as a distinguished free man, an occupational
violinist with a wife and family in Saratoga Springs New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tragically, it is stripped away at the hands
of swindling white opportunists who captured him and quite literally sold him down the river to
Louisiana slave traffickers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As
the memoir of the true story tells, Northup is sold to a man named Ford
(Benedict Cumberbatch), who can only cynically be described as one of the more
“benevolent” plantation owners. He recognizes Northup’s exceptional qualities,
but after a period of time, circumstances force Ford to sell Northup to a much
harder slave owner named Epps (played by an animalistic Michael
Fassbender).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Epps’s plantation,
Northup spends the balance of his 12 years as a cotton-picker, spent and
withered.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">* * *</span></div>
</div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Director
Steve McQueen was maybe the perfect artist to direct this film - his first two
features, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunger</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shame</i>, laid the basis for the stripping
away of human dignity that this film so eloquently portrays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunger</i>
involves political hunger-strike movement in a Northern Irish prison, while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shame</i> explores the evils of a spiraling
debilitative sex addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Aware
of the collateral damage that such moral calamity produces, McQueen
intelligently not only focuses his attention on the many abuses of slavery, but
also extends it to its far-reaching purview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Epps has an eye for Patsy, a young black woman, a fact which haunts his
wife (played coldly by an empty-eyed Sarah Paulson). Epps’s simultaneous sexual
covetousness of Patsy along with his complete disregard for her well-being concludes
with one of the more horrifying scenes in the film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, a down-on-his-luck unassuming
white man who is friendly to Northup is not all that he seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It affects intra-racial relationships as well
– an older middle-aged black woman has shrewdly played her hand and become a
housemaid for a neighboring plantation owner, and although you cannot fault her
for doing so, the film makes you feel oddly uncomfortable about her elevated
position as she sips her afternoon tea on the porch in white gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ1i_EhAl4p-paMlMixJkwZwgwuM1rKMyxlrLqiGKYWIxkvMTHM442Od8EPBHB3Oz2poAaOIlk9ptx_2X9_di4VbKmrajpobZsQUNLTh_VZJOKLz1pDmWuV1-qCeBQRRQr8Rz-4LNcEY/s1600/20130903_12yearsaslave_aportraitofsolomonnorthup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ1i_EhAl4p-paMlMixJkwZwgwuM1rKMyxlrLqiGKYWIxkvMTHM442Od8EPBHB3Oz2poAaOIlk9ptx_2X9_di4VbKmrajpobZsQUNLTh_VZJOKLz1pDmWuV1-qCeBQRRQr8Rz-4LNcEY/s400/20130903_12yearsaslave_aportraitofsolomonnorthup.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
essence, every angle is explored here, and not a single interaction between or
among characters in the film is less than substantially affected by the horrors
of human trafficking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
is precisely the thing that makes this film so interesting to discuss and share
with others. As both literal and figurative descendants of participants to
slavery, whether black, white, male, female, young or old, we have all
inherited this monstrosity instituted by our forefathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We
would be remiss not to recognize and rectify the shortcomings of those who came
before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, our own historical
standing is at stake if we do not accept this undertaking. It should unify us
all in pursuit of common goals. It should change us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">* * *</span></div>
</div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With
a story so moving, it would be easy to gloss over the cinematic accomplishment
of this film. Acting of the highest order is on display, with Ejiofor giving
the performance of the year, one that forces the viewer to empathize without
ever crossing the line into a eliciting a Forrest Gump-like sense of pity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McQueen’s direction, something I admired
artistically without quite enjoying in his first two films, was a wonder to
behold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, he shows an impressive
amount of restraint yet does not back down from the violence that transpires. He reminded me of all the things cinema is capable of accomplishing that television cannot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4cpZM4yR_5JHty8yHhPqbi1OIe3qfHOZ-D6Q0OjakXzugfsUU7DhNBrk8kyAdP3rylt0UPq-2P7rPEv6Yu-3WfCgTQ5NJ4kpQlwjcRQC2_NPrQOAu38mCj2Y72atxgyudPT94kpQgus/s1600/northup.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4cpZM4yR_5JHty8yHhPqbi1OIe3qfHOZ-D6Q0OjakXzugfsUU7DhNBrk8kyAdP3rylt0UPq-2P7rPEv6Yu-3WfCgTQ5NJ4kpQlwjcRQC2_NPrQOAu38mCj2Y72atxgyudPT94kpQgus/s640/northup.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One scene in particular
showcases the dance McQueen is doing between brutality and gentility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a bout with one of the white field
supervisors, Northup is hung from a low-hanging branch, just low enough that
his feet can barely reach the ground, keeping his neck from snapping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kept off center from the camera, Northup is
an afterthought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children play around
him and other slaves go about their business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No music plays, and the breeze gently whispers through the trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is understandable to walk
out of this film feeling negatively about the world. However, I do not take the
film as a cinematic guilt trip, but rather an admonishment for our current
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all, it is the most powerful
artistic expression that I can recall of what it means to be a human and the
shared suffering we must face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-57904456419483303432013-10-29T07:52:00.002-07:002013-10-29T07:55:16.565-07:00Oscar Bait: October 29, 2013<h3>
A Ranking of the Year's Most Enticing Awards Bait</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When you’ve been married or in a
relationship for any considerable length of time, you begin to see patterns in
your significant other, and if you pay attention it’s not very difficult to
learn tricks and rules to either (1) make the other person feel better when
they are down in the dumps, or (2) get yourself out of a jam (e.g., they are
just plain pissed off at you).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Recently, I was able to put the
knowledge gained through my seven years of marriage to good use. My wife called me on her way home one
evening, pretty upset about the way her day had gone. After getting off the phone, I dialed up the
no-fail holy triumvirate for making a wife feel better that most husbands should
know about: frozen pizza, red wine, and ice cream. It achieved the intended effect in spades,
and I came out looking like some sort of wife-whisperer. The idea is simple enough, but knowing how
and when to use it is the real challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The same idea can be applied to the
Oscars. The idea of “Oscar Bait” is
pretty well established in the film community, and for good reason: over its
extensive history, the Academy Awards have gravitated towards the same types of
films over and over, year after year. As
someone who has been following the awards since as long as I can remember, I
feel I’ve learned a few rules that I can apply. So in an effort to really parse
out the awards season this year solely through the lens of Oscar Bait, I’m
introducing this column which I hope to write periodically, hopefully around 10
times or so throughout the movie awards season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For my first rankings, I’m going
to break down the Best Picture race as it stands here at the end of
October.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUcHHYa1836KtajBbLdRJnRDzPn8VZmw9ZjXkjVt6-h-STgvK160EjGdH0ToeAsXdD8etZJieZIcKpe-AUqlvvME9ATelKfdDUbYdZhCWICjAMcqWcWOWj8015EmqhVbnG8sKcPBfbn8/s1600/12-years-a-slave-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUcHHYa1836KtajBbLdRJnRDzPn8VZmw9ZjXkjVt6-h-STgvK160EjGdH0ToeAsXdD8etZJieZIcKpe-AUqlvvME9ATelKfdDUbYdZhCWICjAMcqWcWOWj8015EmqhVbnG8sKcPBfbn8/s320/12-years-a-slave-poster.jpg" width="216" /></a><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>(1) "</b></span><i><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>12 Years a Slave"</b></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oscar Bait Level: <i>Schindler’s List<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Steve McQueen’s <i>Slave</i>, which I still have one more
agonizing week before getting to see, is off the charts in Oscar Bait and
currently stands as an overwhelming favorite in this year’s race. Historical drama? Check. Based on a true story? Check. Social Commentary? Check. White-guilt
inducing? Check. Solid cast? Check.
Critically acclaimed? Check.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The only check mark that it
doesn’t automatically receive is for a pedigreed director. Although McQueen is very well-respected in
the film community (having received much acclaim for his first two smaller
films, <i>Hunger </i>and <i>Shame</i>), he is not exactly “in the club”
as far as the Academy goes. However,
with only two black directors EVER having been nominated for Best Director at
the Oscars (two! Freaking two!), and with neither winning, I think the Academy <i>might</i> just see this as an opportunity to
remedy that. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(2) "</span><i><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">American
Hustle"</span></span><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oscar Bait Level: <i>L.A. Confidential</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Weighing in at #2 on the current
rankings is David O. Russell’s crime thriller starring former collaborators
Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper (all having
received Oscar noms and/or wins under Russell’s direction in the past). The crime genre hasn’t fared extremely well
with the Academy in the past, with films like <i>Goodfellas</i> and <i>L.A.
Confidential</i> falling prey to historical romances <i>Dances with Wolves</i> and <i>Titanic</i>,
respectively, despite the general consensus being that the former-mentioned
films should have won. What this film
does have going for it over <i>12 Years a
Slave</i> is a director in Russell that is now comfortably in the club, having
received an astounding 15 Oscar nominations and 3 wins for his prior two
films. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: #444444;">(3) "</b></span><i><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: #444444;">Gravity"</b></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oscar Bait Level: <i>Life of Pi</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gHzET67LqYO7-1nhHLQv6OOT9DSc47DcoceWH70bjOaWUQHrFQbAxn49PZKno-mCeiQWGr3Bx0YDjIMSGtRLZ0jUfyLIumJJJ5PAcJRnoFEVfsPtTDyYTI3duvBrFFIUummBkRlLs-c/s1600/Gravity-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gHzET67LqYO7-1nhHLQv6OOT9DSc47DcoceWH70bjOaWUQHrFQbAxn49PZKno-mCeiQWGr3Bx0YDjIMSGtRLZ0jUfyLIumJJJ5PAcJRnoFEVfsPtTDyYTI3duvBrFFIUummBkRlLs-c/s400/Gravity-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Clocking in at the third slot on
the list is this Sandra Bullock survival vehicle that dominated the box office
for three straight weeks. I don’t think
the Academy is actively anti-special effects driven films, or even slow to recognize
them – I simply think that they want to wait for the right film to be recognized
for whatever new technology is in question.
As 3D movies go, <i>Life of Pi</i>, <i>Hugo</i> and <i>Avatar</i> all did very well for themselves at the Oscars, with a
remarkable showing of 31 nominations and 12 wins between the three films – and arguably
all three were probably the runner-up for Best Picture in their given
years. I think the Academy would be very
receptive to awarding an effects-driven film, and <i>Gravity</i> could be that very film: it’s anchored by an emotional
star-performance by Sandra Bullock (performances were something the prior three
films lacked, with zero nominations in the acting categories between them), and
the film itself is based more in reality than the other three. Its path to beating out <i>12 Years a Slave </i>is paved by Cuaron’s massive directorial
achievement as well as Bullock’s possible lead actress win (although I really
don’t think she can beat Cate Blanchett, but I’ll save that for a future
installment of the column).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>(4) "</b></span><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Saving Mr. Banks"</b></span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oscar Bait Level: <i>Babe</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The first of two Tom Hanks films
on the list, this film about the making of <i>Mary
Poppins</i> is certainly in the mix for Best Picture as of this moment. It doesn’t have the pedigree of the first
three films on this list, but a few things give it an advantage over them; it’s
the only feel-good film, it opens right in the heart of the holiday season
(Dec. 20<sup>th</sup>) giving it a chance for massive box-office success, it
stars one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood (Hanks) playing one of
the most beloved names in film history (Walt Disney), and it is about the
making of one of the most ubiquitous films of all time. Make us feel warm and fuzzy, and keep tugging
those heart strings all the way to the Kodak Theater and it could just walk
away with the year’s top prize. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>(5) "</b></span><i><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Captain Phillips"</b></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oscar Bait Level: <i>The Conversation </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t think <i>Captain Phillips</i> can win this year’s top
prize, but I do think it will be pervasive in this year’s movie awards
season. I think Paul Greengrass, a
respected filmmaker, has an outside shot at a Best Director win while Tom Hanks
has a very nice shot at a Best Actor win.
Two of Greengrass’s past films have done quite well with the Oscars despite
being quite a bit less “baity” than <i>Phillips</i>
-- <i>United 93</i> scored Greengrass an
Oscar nomination for Best Director and Best Editing<i> </i>while <i>The Bourne Ultimatum </i>somehow
won the Oscar for Best Editing in ’07 (over titans <i>No Country For Old Men </i>and <i>There
Will be Blood, </i>no less) as well as the awards for Best Sound Editing AND Best Sound
Mixing, an impressive haul for a mainstream action-spy film. Take that foundation and apply it to <i>Captain Phillips</i>, which has current socio-political
commentary, and features the best Hanks performance possibly since <i>Cast Away</i>, and you can see why this will
be a strong contender for many awards throughout the season. <o:p></o:p></div>
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adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-60489375083343849312013-09-08T16:16:00.000-07:002013-09-08T16:16:43.040-07:00Top 10 Most Anticipated Films Fall 2013: No. 5-1<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As I stated in the Part I of this post, I had a <i>very </i>difficult time narrowing this list down this year. So this year I thought I would list a few honorable mentions that I just couldn't fine the room for, in no particular order:<br />
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<i>Anchorman 2</i><br />
<i>Rush</i><br />
<i>Foxcatcher</i><br />
<i>Captain Phillips</i><br />
<i>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</i><br />
<i>Nebraska</i><br />
<i>The Monuments Men</i><br />
<i>The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug</i><br />
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Now, here are the top 5 films I'm anticipating for the fall season:<br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>(5) "<i>American Hustle"</i></b></span></h3>
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David O. Russell follows up the success of last year’s <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i> with a much different film, a true story about a con-artist in the 1970’s who was forced to work with a federal agent to bring down other cons, mobsters and politicians. Russell is teaming here with mostly former cast members of his, with Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner all adding to the fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, can we all just take this moment to stand up and give a big round of applause to Amy Adams for all that she does for us? Her recent <i>Man of Steel</i> performance aside, girl’s pretty much a national treasure. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I sincerely hope that by now everyone has seen this trailer or any of the clips that have been released. This film, directed by Alfonso Cuaron (<i>Children of Men</i>, <i>Y Tu Mama Tambien</i>) follows two astronauts (George Clooney and Sandra Bullock) who become suspended in space after an accident leaves them stranded. The trailer is absolutely horrifying, and I can only imagine how amazing this will look in IMAX 3D; however, I’m most intrigued by what interesting things will be done with the film’s script after this accident occurs. It has already popped up at a couple of festivals recently and the raves are flooding in. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(3) "<i>12 Years a Slave"</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Chiwetel Ejiofer stars as Solomon Northup, a fee black man in pre-Civil War era U.S. who is abducted and sold into slavery. This true story is simply amazing, and I believe director Steve McQueen (one of the most intelligent filmmakers I’ve ever listened to) was the perfect choice for this film; he has the necessary elegance as a storyteller to pull it off in a way that won’t seem indulgent or self-important. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(2) <i>"The Wolf of Wall Street"</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Yeah yeah, I know we’re all getting a little tired at this point of Scorsese-DiCaprio team-ups. But this one feels different, doesn’t it? For one thing, Scorsese is returning to form a little after his last two films (not that that’s a bad thing…<i>Hugo </i>was my favorite film of 2011, as you might recall). The trailer just has the look and feel of someone who just felt relaxed and confident as hell while making a film. For another thing, the source material that this is based on is apparently a complete riot, telling the story of early-90’s Wall Street brokers and journaling various misadventures in that world. At the very least, there’s no way this isn’t one of the most entertaining films of the year, right?<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(1) "<i>Inside Llewyn Davis"</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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As my favorite directors both currently and in all of film history, Joel and Ethan Coen have a lifetime pass for this list. Oscar Isaac portrays the titular character here, a New York folk-singer in the 1960’s trying to make his way in the folk scene of that era. The Coens have taken on the film industry in the past with <i>Barton Fink</i>, and I’m interested to see what their take on the music industry will be here, and whether it relates in some way to either their careers or their personal lives, as many Coen Brothers’ movies do.<br />
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adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-64920972890408328382013-09-04T19:07:00.000-07:002013-09-05T07:31:30.162-07:00Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of Fall 2013: No. 10-6<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrlgmGfnt8DOVVA1jZbILfQ1_AmZg2dTV2aKhLjeUP4xFf1s8Fd7AzxyMSktyYocUdEzVBwO1clg4jxgOdxyLtt6O4kq91Yx3tolLDeiQnxOntUICZTAGugsrpkEAeMX5oMyRYnASTrI/s1600/pumpkin+spice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrlgmGfnt8DOVVA1jZbILfQ1_AmZg2dTV2aKhLjeUP4xFf1s8Fd7AzxyMSktyYocUdEzVBwO1clg4jxgOdxyLtt6O4kq91Yx3tolLDeiQnxOntUICZTAGugsrpkEAeMX5oMyRYnASTrI/s400/pumpkin+spice.jpg" width="400" /></a>Even though I'm mostly morally opposed to overly sweet "coffee" beverages containing some sort of faux-Italian moniker, I do admit that the Pumpkin Spice Latte has always been a chink in my otherwise coffee-snob armor. Ever since I worked at Starbucks for 3 years during college, I've pretty much been a walking advertisement for the coffee giant, anyway. My soul has been sold.<br />
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So, it's become a bit of a tradition of mine to grab one at the beginning of September (the earliest I can justify purchasing one) and sit down and write this column. Indeed, fall is my favorite time of year, and I get a little geeked-out at the thought of crisp fall air, football (both the real and fantasy variety), Colorado green chili, and...of course, good movies. </div>
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In doing my research this year, I had a really hard time cutting my list down to 10. I watched a lot of trailers, tried to read up on all the independent/foreign fare in addition to the studio offerings, and, as usual, read all the early Oscar prognostications. I'm <i>very</i> happy with the way this list turned out, and can't wait to see them all. Below are numbers 10-6, and I will release numbers 5-1 later this weekend. Hope everyone enjoys, the way I am enjoying the pumpkin deliciousness right now. Well, that actually might be too much enjoyment.</div>
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You know, I was pretty tempted to
throw <i>Anchorman 2 </i>in this slot, and I
might have if this trailer hadn’t dropped early last week, promising one of
McConaughey’s best performances to date (if not THE best). I’m sure Google searches of the true story it
is based on increased exponentially after the trailer hit: a Texas man who
was diagnosed with HIV in the 1980’s begins illegally selling drugs produced in
Mexico to patients in the U.S. The
trailer is full of energy which I hope is sustained throughout the film. </div>
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(9) "<i>Le Passé"</i> (The Past)</span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Will you allow me one foreign
film on my list? C’mon, just one, I promise! I swear I’m not trying to be a
snob! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi
made one of my favorite films of 2011, <i>A
Separation</i> (which won the Oscar for best foreign-language film) and he
returns here with a similarly themed family drama about a divorced couple going
through problems with their daughter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Alright, there’s my one foreign
film. Moving along…<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(8) "<i>All is Lost"</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Robert Redford is already getting
rave reviews out of the various film festivals this film has played so
far. A one-man show about a man lost at
sea, this film is also virtually devoid of any dialogue, which makes it that
much more intriguing from my standpoint.
I was a big fan of writer/director (and fellow Coloradan) J.C. Chandor’s
rookie effort <i>Margin Call</i>, and it appears
that he took a big swing here with his sophomore effort and hopefully it
connects. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(7) "<i>Labor Day"</i></span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This is my bi-annual slot
reserved in this column for whatever Jason Reitman film is coming out in that
odd-numbered year. His last two films, <i>Young Adult </i>(2011) and <i>Up in the Air </i>(2009) have each found
their way inside of my year-end Top 10 list, although I was in the minority
that felt that <i>Young Adult</i> was quite
an improvement over <i>Up in the Air</i>. I hope he can continue his streak of
excellent films here, and with Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin involved, I imagine
I won’t be disappointed. <o:p></o:p><br />
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(No trailer yet, unfortunately, so we'll have to go with this film still courtesy of Entertainment Weekly).<br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">(6) "<i>Her"</i></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Director Spike Jonze teams up
with Joaquin Phoenix in this hipster dramedy about a lonely writer who develops
a relationship with his newly-purchased operating system that's designed to
meet his every need. It’s hard for me to
believe that Phoenix could top his performance from last year’s <i>The Master</i>, but maybe the fact that he
isn’t playing a brooding sociopath for the first time in a while will be a
welcome change of pace at the very least.
I don’t know how this film will turn out, but it wouldn't surprise me if
this one ends up being the best of the bunch as far as this list goes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stay tuned for numbers 5-1 coming this weekend. </div>
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adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-13197919112042667082013-08-24T13:00:00.003-07:002013-08-26T08:44:46.333-07:002013 in Film So Far<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: justify;">No one ever mentioned
to me that being an attorney would involve a lot of work. I feel like
this information, if previously known to me, would have impacted my decision to
enter this field. In the law-firm set USA show </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: justify;">Suits</i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: justify;"> (my guiltiest
pleasure of all guilty pleasures (seriously, please don’t judge me for watching
this)) the main characters get to run around downtown Manhattan all day,
swinging eight-figure deals and kicking major transactional-law ass, all while
gulping $2,500 bottles of swanky champagne and delivering some of the most
clever, biting one-liners in TV history. Life should really be more like
that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">It was inevitable
that my recent long hours at work would eventually force some collateral
damage, and thus this blog has faced some serious neglect. I’m not going
to sit here and pretend that I’ve been toiling away like a depression-era
sharecropper, but 90% of the time when I get home from work these days, the
mental capacity required to do anything further than eat, drink, and watch <i>The
Daily Show</i> is fairly out of the question.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEmhVO_GnBT7HqINnmsLb74W0u_2045ptqjnsxL2qomlK1IFnnz2c7aZ6suXRKYHW4fN4v4C2LdvWIHs1S6wXUx1XtVp21meFaHLzsqRH3EgikpLu4o5jBB83ygwCFvi83SD5_QjbA80/s1600/Before+midnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEmhVO_GnBT7HqINnmsLb74W0u_2045ptqjnsxL2qomlK1IFnnz2c7aZ6suXRKYHW4fN4v4C2LdvWIHs1S6wXUx1XtVp21meFaHLzsqRH3EgikpLu4o5jBB83ygwCFvi83SD5_QjbA80/s400/Before+midnight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy in the incredible <i>Before Midnight</i><b>.</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The good part is that
I’ve still managed to squeeze in a few flicks from this year over the past few
months. So just to catch everyone up with where I’m at so far this
year, I thought it would be good to give a rundown of everything I’ve seen, as
we enter the fall season which promises to be excellent (well, I always think
that, but still). I’m disappointed in the amount of films I’ve seen so
far this year, especially concerning the summer blockbusters (no <i>Pacific Rim</i>?
No <i>Elysium</i>? ), but I hope to circle back around to many of these
in the coming months. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">You might be thinking
to yourself: “What? He’s just going to write about the films he’s seen so far
this year? What a lazy-ass idea for a post.”
And I’m not even going to defend myself against those comments, because you
know what? You’re probably right. Whatever. Soon enough it will be September, and I can
really start kicking into high-gear on the blogging again. Until then,
here’s 2013 in a nutshell for me, so far:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Spring Breakers</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> Not style over substance, but rather, style AS
substance, is how I’d describe this latest film from Harmony Korine about a
group of criminally-inclined college co-eds who end up in a trippy spring break
vacation in Florida. Its message gets a little lost in music-video
aesthetic, and I think that’s sort of the point, but I can’t say I walked out
of the theater knowing exactly how I felt (and again, that’s probably sort pof
the point). 7.5/10. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">To the Wonder</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;">:</span> </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">An underappreciated marvel that I wrote about here,
Malick’s </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Wonder</i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> continues to stir my heart as I consider it, even now
four months since my initial viewing. I’ll spare you more prose, but
please do check out <a href="http://filmwindow.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-to-wonder.html" target="_blank">my review here</a>. 9/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><i>The Place Beyond the
Pines</i>:</span> </b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The latest from <i>Blue Valentine</i>
director Derek Cianfrance, <i>Pines</i> unfolds its sins-of-the-father-themed
story like as though it were a piece of classic literature, with its
multi-layered characters and ideas given ample room to develop over the course
of the 140-minute runtime. It packs an unexpected emotional punch, and
contains a career-best performance from Bradley Cooper. When the credits
rolled at the theater, I leaned over to my wife and said “If you don’t think
that was amazing…it’s going to be really *bleep*-ing awkward between us for the
next few days.” (For the record, she agreed with me, and that’s why she’s
awesome). 8.5/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Upstream Color</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> This new sci-fi thriller from writer, director, actor,
editor, composer, producer, cinematographer, and probably a host of other
“-ers” Shane Carruth is absolutely gorgeous to look at, is painstakingly
crafted, and is probably a way smarter film than I could ever understand in
order to give it due credit. Its insistence on distancing the audience
from its characters ultimately brings it down a notch or two for me, but I should
probably give it a second look at some point. 7.5/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm9Hw44EDB4A4aSF2y96_ug40tpk0BuPUrurBvhmpM_Xwf4LB2Dvqppum0oHYBIYsS0a8NmtVcmo6KqF0zwZSc-2Lsc1scK_WmwFjdvoUfdKvwYDxL6mOr5K8lfYr-DrL70eMEwstzu8/s1600/the+place+beyond+this+pines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCm9Hw44EDB4A4aSF2y96_ug40tpk0BuPUrurBvhmpM_Xwf4LB2Dvqppum0oHYBIYsS0a8NmtVcmo6KqF0zwZSc-2Lsc1scK_WmwFjdvoUfdKvwYDxL6mOr5K8lfYr-DrL70eMEwstzu8/s400/the+place+beyond+this+pines.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">S</span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">tar Trek: Into Darkness:</span> </i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Fun, harmless, and Benedict Cumberbatch doing
Benedicty-Cumberbatchy-things. I don’t get all the hate this movie got.
6.5/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Behind the Candleabra</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> The first of two Soderbergh films from this year, this HBO
movie had no right being as good as it was (which is how I feel about most
Soderbergh movies), but Michael Douglas’s portrayal of Liberace and the
amazing-as-always direction made this an absolutely absorbing film to watch.
7/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Oz: The Great and Powerful:</span> </i></b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">I thought this would be a great mindless Redbox movie for
one of those nights where I didn’t want to think too much. I’m not sure
I’ve ever been more wrong about anything. Terrible special effects, terrible
performances, terrible script, and sadly, terrible direction from the
normally-great Sam Raimi. 3/10. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Before Midnight</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> At some point in the year, when it is released on DVD or
something, I’m going to give this film a proper review. I’m not quite
sure I can write about it in any objective sense. Regardless, I’m fairly
certain I could make the argument that the “Before”-trilogy is one of the most
unique treasures in the history of film. This one is the best of the
three. 10/10. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Side Effects</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span> </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">A little pharmaceutical thriller fluff containing some fun
performances by Jude Law and Catherine Zeta-Jones, this was a fun, well-made,
if forgettable film by Soderbergh. 6.5/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">This is the End</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> Hilarious and fun just to hang out with Seth Rogen, James
Franco, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill and others for a couple of hours. 7/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Man of Steel</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> SO much wasted potential here. Henry Cavill, Kevin Costner
and Russell Crowe are game, but a poor story and ineffective vision by director
Zach Snyder weighs them down so much they rarely get a chance to breathe.
Awful, awful visual effects. 5/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Blue Jasmine</span></i></b></span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">:</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> Woody Allen’s latest is also his best since </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Crimes
& Misdemeanors</i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> in 1989 (I would know, I’m the charter member of the
under-30 Woody fan club). A career-best performance from Cate Blanchett.
8.5/10.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Mud</span></i></b><span style="color: #b45f06;">:</span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> Finally, a little film I wish I would have caught in
theaters from </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Take Shelter </i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">director Jeff Nichols. More than just a
coming-of-age film, this story of two adolescent boys who attempt to reunite a lost
man with his true love does conjure a sense of </span><i style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Stand By Me</i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> or other
similarly-situated 80’s films. Ty Sheridan gives one of the better child
performances I can remember from anyone not named Quvenzhane Wallis.
8/10.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-54234715322763343662013-04-28T19:20:00.001-07:002013-04-29T13:48:45.993-07:00Review: "To The Wonder"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“Life’s a Dream.
In a dream you can’t make mistakes. In a dream you can be whatever
you want.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-Anna, <i>To The Wonder</i></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Neil and Marina (Ben
Affleck and Olga Kurylenko) take a train and then hop into a convertible on
their way to see Mont St. Michel (the “Wonder” of the West as it is sometimes
referred to), a beautiful monastery atop a lonely island off the coast of
France. The star-crossed lovers explore the area; the architecture, the
gardens, the surrounding beaches. Their passion for each other is plainly
evident, and the dreary and cold atmosphere around them somehow heightens the
contrasting warmth of the romance. They speak almost nothing but they are
connected, alive, and experiencing each other. It feels like my dreams.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSgS_xhRidYCFy0_q-09dy8I1vEW-trmXowckvOUN3oetE3x6oGMi_2a-KbOihZLp0Sxkwf0lDkz87o66svLG7rJ-28mrRehc5zp8YDVUFMFYAx2manaqxJ14r6uUMl5wGsymOpvOCM/s1600/to-the-wonder-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSgS_xhRidYCFy0_q-09dy8I1vEW-trmXowckvOUN3oetE3x6oGMi_2a-KbOihZLp0Sxkwf0lDkz87o66svLG7rJ-28mrRehc5zp8YDVUFMFYAx2manaqxJ14r6uUMl5wGsymOpvOCM/s400/to-the-wonder-poster.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">My love of Terrence
Malick films have been well-documented in this blog, with <i><a href="http://filmwindow.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-tree-of-life.html" target="_blank">The Tree of Life</a><a href="http://filmwindow.blogspot.com/2011/06/review-tree-of-life.html" target="_blank"> </a></i>and </span></span><i><a href="http://filmwindow.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-need-more-terrence-malick-in-my-life.html" target="_blank">The New World</a></i> being two of my favorite films of this century so far.
With his latest, <i>To The Wonder</i>, he departs from his prior five
films in a number of ways; the first of those being that it is set in present
day, and a second being that it is by far his most scaled-back, intimate work
to date. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The general outline
of the story is based on Malick’s own life: after making his first two films in
the 1970’s, he disappeared in Europe and didn’t return to filmmaking until
1997, with his Oscar-nominated <i>The Thin Red Line, </i>and it was during this
time that he met his first wife, as Neil does in this film. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Neil brings Marina
and her 10-year old daughter back to the states with him, and they settle in
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, or more specifically, a nameless suburb thereof, and
only Terrence Malick could possibly frame the location to make it seem so
beautiful. The transition isn’t easy for any of the involved parties, and
after some unsaid period of time, their relationship becomes strained, and they
begin to drift away from each other as Neil begins a romance with Jane (Rachel
McAdams), a ranch-owner and horse breeder from the area. The two love
interests represented are dichotomous: Marina is a free-spirited, fiery and
passionate European (and apparently a failed ballet dancer), while Jane
resembles a more reserved southern belle, who seeks the security Neil can bring
her. I don’t know if the dichotomy was supposed to be based on Malick’s own
history, or rather if it was meant to be more of a philosophical portrayal of
the internal struggle of men wanting both kinds of women, but either way, it
works as a piece of storytelling here. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The film has a third
storyline, that of Father Quintana of the local Catholic church (Javier Bardem,
who gives the best performance in the film), a priest who is experiencing his
own relationship struggle between himself and God. A sermon he preaches
near the beginning of the film is centered on the idea of love: “Love is a
duty...if you feel your love has died, it is perhaps waiting to be transformed
into something higher.” We learn later on that he is possibly trying to
convince himself of his own sermon as much as his congregation. The
comparison between the relationship we have with our loved ones and the one we
may have with God is something I’m used to hearing in church, but it is
refreshing to have this struggle dealt with bravely in a secular feature film.
A simply harrowing scene portrays Quintana cowering and hiding in his
house, while a needy parishioner knocks on his door to no avail, and perhaps
this is a bit of a sarcastic take on Jesus’s admonishment in the Sermon on the
Mount to “knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.” </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoxdnPUWLIwBF_Tnd26567uexp1SqViPpcF1RjTIYuhbBInaP0ROkAP6_66no7ctydxPjuaPJJWEO-KEfTya7X_IuMGXwivPA0fkTwkI2siF02agyqEAVS7CF99PpjWuSdcz-R2OfZwY/s1600/To_the_Wonder_Terrence_Malick_81.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoxdnPUWLIwBF_Tnd26567uexp1SqViPpcF1RjTIYuhbBInaP0ROkAP6_66no7ctydxPjuaPJJWEO-KEfTya7X_IuMGXwivPA0fkTwkI2siF02agyqEAVS7CF99PpjWuSdcz-R2OfZwY/s640/To_the_Wonder_Terrence_Malick_81.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">While <i>The Tree of
Life</i> was largely about Malick’s ambition to study the events of his
childhood and to contextualize it into a larger cosmic conflict, <i>To the
Wonder </i>is more about reconciling the regret and pain of his own personal
life with the story he wished would have existed. Therefore, when the
film feels like a dream, that’s because it partly is one. It is a
beautiful collage of a combination of memories and longings for a future that
will never exist in reality. So while some will be put off by fanciful
scenes of Marina dancing or frolicking through a wheat field, or a few too many
shots of Neil passionately touching Marina, running his fingers down her
unclothed back, to me it was beautiful and heartbreaking, as though Malick is
preserving the way he remembers this woman in his dreams. In a dream you
can be whatever you want. In a dream you can’t make mistakes. In a dream
you can be free.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">For all of my
rambling thoughts thus far, it is simple: like no other director past or
present, Malick speaks a language of film that I hear with an unparallelled
level of clarity. I respect that not everyone feels this way, and a quick
look at the film’s Rotten Tomatoes score (42%) certainly reveals that to be the
case. But I know that i</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">t moved me enough to
spend several hours writing a love letter to my wife, expressing a number of thoughts I </span>hadn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> quite discovered until seeing it on screen that day. I
wrote about my desire to experience the deeper intimacy that Malick
contemplates in the film, along with my inability, similar to Neil’s, of being
vulnerable enough to allow it to happen. Because I don’t want to look
back at my life and be left with a mixture of fleeting memories and unfulfilled
dreams. Love, in any form, demands that we live life in the present. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrHuOJQ5bYoAzyBCM-eKamRH2lHVCRWMqGjT2gca5rq2q5YAiwwRroGqAiMez9pdIL4q031VhDrynqlIVR24gt95ejTaooQHJiqBu50MfOIsTMwu4udMB9KB8QBBbzj9UNnbrGW_gB7s/s1600/wonder_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrHuOJQ5bYoAzyBCM-eKamRH2lHVCRWMqGjT2gca5rq2q5YAiwwRroGqAiMez9pdIL4q031VhDrynqlIVR24gt95ejTaooQHJiqBu50MfOIsTMwu4udMB9KB8QBBbzj9UNnbrGW_gB7s/s400/wonder_3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One parting shot </span>hearkens<span style="font-family: inherit;"> back to Neil and Marina’s journey at the beginning of the film to Mont.
St. Michel, traveling down the road toward the beautiful monastery in the
distance. Without spoiling the end, we are left with a bit of an
uncertain future; but the “Wonder” we see in the distance reminds us that the
uncertainty and struggle of life is still guided by hope, or by God; that
somewhere on the horizon, a very real place exists for us where we can let go
of our past, our pain, and where we can be wondrously free. Nothing hinders us
from reaching towards it. </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(One final note: <i>To The Wonder</i> was concurrently released in theaters and on video-on-demand platforms, so if you don't have time to go out to the theater, you should at least check it out in the comfort of your own home).</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-5952035229227641672013-04-09T13:56:00.001-07:002013-04-10T09:08:46.463-07:00The Top 10 Movies I'm Embarrassed I Haven't Seen<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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It’s
easy to get a little movied-out in late winter/early spring time, since I spend
most of November-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">February trying to keep up with all the awards season films, and because it’s a frustratingly long lull between the end of awards season and summer blockbusters. </span>Every spring,
Hollywood seems to basically take a dump in a bucket of warm water, splatter it
across all of our faces while laughing maniacally and expecting us to give them
money for it, but what are you going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway,
this April, instead of bemoaning the lack of anything good to write about
(beyond Mad Men season 6, that is), I thought it would be a great time to point
out some major, gaping, and downright embarrassing holes in my list of films
I’ve seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In coming up with and ranking
this list, I’ve considered many factors and come up with a scientific formula,
consisting of the following, in order of importance:</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Ranking on the AFI Top 100 List</li>
<li>Ranking on the IMDB Top 250 List</li>
<li>Prominence of the Director</li>
<li>Severity of people's reactions when I admit I haven't seen the film</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8zhuxEBefa2r2AeaTmjSyk7F5SI6_VNgRZWg9u0z-wIQ-4GOO-Lcm8UE0UQbVYUZV0HrLU7gZ_2SVLM1N5S5tk_0iiQM18axwyXqAHGwXB20TbltWWEmfTBWr9OWVS7qSIOsVZmNuCc/s1600/jaws.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8zhuxEBefa2r2AeaTmjSyk7F5SI6_VNgRZWg9u0z-wIQ-4GOO-Lcm8UE0UQbVYUZV0HrLU7gZ_2SVLM1N5S5tk_0iiQM18axwyXqAHGwXB20TbltWWEmfTBWr9OWVS7qSIOsVZmNuCc/s200/jaws.jpeg" width="138" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually,
when I was trying to create this list, there are really only three or four that
I’m truly embarrassed to not have seen, so I guess that says something pretty
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In sifting through the AFI Top 100
List, or IMDB’s Top 250 List, there were only 12 and 32 films I hadn’t seen on
each list, respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that’s not
so bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hopefully
by the middle-end of May, I will have completed watching this list, and will be
able to report back my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until
then, I will just leave my list here sans comment, and let each of you decide
just how embarrassed I should be about my having never seen the following
films:</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBRIe8Yevuc94eDQJawfx6pld7hWwdTcyzXMasx62MGO8ITiU1roLA5BN58qD-QpSzyGZShnIP705Nn21DRotk0B_WzY5u-uQBvUw3EPwaSXGrGLczjBAUFIF1ygXqn1-uPbPbk361uY/s1600/8+1%253A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBRIe8Yevuc94eDQJawfx6pld7hWwdTcyzXMasx62MGO8ITiU1roLA5BN58qD-QpSzyGZShnIP705Nn21DRotk0B_WzY5u-uQBvUw3EPwaSXGrGLczjBAUFIF1ygXqn1-uPbPbk361uY/s320/8+1%253A2.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOYqXo85Rw6b-g_rYrr4jS0VuvnwGDV1mzemzlz1y-xdGtoxqFNv6eOdGO-HT_nDWpbDdbVZeuM4XZP0ypDP-Nae6_TsuI6yF93aR03DY09ked0qWEHlP_0-kNuOQEwsYZqdm0AI_whQ/s1600/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOYqXo85Rw6b-g_rYrr4jS0VuvnwGDV1mzemzlz1y-xdGtoxqFNv6eOdGO-HT_nDWpbDdbVZeuM4XZP0ypDP-Nae6_TsuI6yF93aR03DY09ked0qWEHlP_0-kNuOQEwsYZqdm0AI_whQ/s320/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly-Poster.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">10.<i> "Aliens"</i></span> </b></span>(1986, dir. James Cameron)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">9. "<i>It Happened One Night"</i></span> </b>(1934, Frank Capra)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">8. "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Some Like it Hot"</span> </i></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>(1959, dir. Billy Wilder)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">7. "<i>Jaws"</i></span> </b>(1975, dir. Steven Spielberg)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>6. "<i>All About Eve"</i></b></span> (1950, dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>5. "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>8 ½"</i></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(1963, dir. Federico Fellini)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">4. "<i>The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"</i></span> </b></span>(1966, dir. Sergio Leone)<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>3. "<i>City Lights"</i></b></span> (1931, dir. Charlie Chaplin)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>2. "<i>Lawrence of Arabia"</i></b></span> (1962, dir. David Lean)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">1. "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Raging Bull"</span></i></b></span> (1980, dir. Martin Scorsese)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-72481330618957467482013-03-20T10:30:00.000-07:002013-03-20T10:54:02.672-07:00GIRLS: Season 2 Review<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
HBO’s <i>Girls </i>is a unique
entry into the canon of modern television. Partly ushered in by HBO
itself with shows like <i>The Sopranos </i>and <i>The Wire</i>, quality TV is
closer than ever before to resembling movies both through the style of
production and through their narrative structures. AMC shows like <i>Mad
Men</i>, <i>Breaking Bad</i>, and <i>The Walking Dead</i> follow this model to
great success (both critically and commercially). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps one of the best
characteristics of these types of shows is that they all, at least in some
measure, subscribe to the auteur theory: the showrunners for all these programs
are given more latitude for creative control than most shows have been given in
the past. When you consider the shows that I’ve just mentioned, they are
all 1-hour dramas with a fairly specific angle, whether it’s the time period
(the 60’s with </span><i style="text-align: justify;">Mad Men</i><span style="text-align: justify;">), the setting (post-apocalypse with </span><i style="text-align: justify;">The
Walking Dead</i><span style="text-align: justify;">), or the plot (crime with </span><i style="text-align: justify;">The Wire, Breaking Bad </i><span style="text-align: justify;">and </span><i style="text-align: justify;">The
Sopranos</i><span style="text-align: justify;">). Each of these uses the stated device as a method of either
character study or social commentary, or in some cases both. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYz030wZWcSletfQ0IlwGllF3Iq1ljoPHJyxWJaABBkna4j6TWCn4oajapLmHOaBmq1G-mTOFXszadPlKw55ljEQ9Zcnyfri5dFH_QP4KEe8l8Ki9j2GtKQKmPYJNjzNZYSfixi3pIrM/s1600/o-GIRLS-SEASON-2-EPISODE-4-570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYz030wZWcSletfQ0IlwGllF3Iq1ljoPHJyxWJaABBkna4j6TWCn4oajapLmHOaBmq1G-mTOFXszadPlKw55ljEQ9Zcnyfri5dFH_QP4KEe8l8Ki9j2GtKQKmPYJNjzNZYSfixi3pIrM/s400/o-GIRLS-SEASON-2-EPISODE-4-570.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena Dunham as Hannah in <i>Girls </i>(eating, as usual).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Which is why <i>Girls</i> is such
a fascinating entry onto this list: it is arguably the first in this modern era
of television to apply the auteur approach to a half-hour “comedy.” When HBO
and producer Judd Apatow handed Lena Dunham the reins to the show, I’m not sure
they totally knew exactly what roads she would take them down, but they also
knew that sometimes it’s better to trust the unique voice of one person rather
than the stunted ideas of many. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Season one of the show was very
good in its own right. We spent a good deal of time getting to know the
major characters, learning of their various plights in trying to survive the
scene in Brooklyn New York as intermittently employed 20-somethings. A lot
of criticism of the show stems from this <i>very </i>specific setting and type
of character. “Why should we care about a bunch of whiny, hipster,
liberal-arts college grads?” is the common refrain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But the reason I believe this
works such wonders for the show is because of this old writing adage: “The best
way to be universal is to be specific.” No, I’m not a hipster from Brooklyn who
regularly attends warehouse parties or conceptual art shows. I don’t have
an online startup, and I’ve never been in an indie rock band. But the
show is a lot less about the specific setting of the show than it is about how
the characters react to their situations and surroundings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Season two of the show, which
just had its finale on Sunday, vastly improved upon a successful first season.
In a lot of ways, the script is flipped for many of the characters.
Hannah in S1 was dealing with being in a (bad) relationship and being
unsuccessful in a myriad of jobs, while S2 found her (mostly) single and
struggling with a little bit of success she found as a writer. Similarly,
Marnie had a steady job and a steady boyfriend in S1, and had neither in S2.
Adam’s character went from borderline psychotic behavior to having to act
like a relatively normal human being, and then back around again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR_0LwWGp8NEgcxAZhKfieDo2rDC7eG4agmPieNVEzOlIiZywXc3UomiXQWwxj7iSUzSmZY1csgG9QLZInBcB3Zruy0Zx5-_FYnKCjwxQ1sw-zjWAoyGeMgSNghfrRK_eZSM2smT80hE/s1600/girls-hbo-season-2-episode-6-ray-adam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR_0LwWGp8NEgcxAZhKfieDo2rDC7eG4agmPieNVEzOlIiZywXc3UomiXQWwxj7iSUzSmZY1csgG9QLZInBcB3Zruy0Zx5-_FYnKCjwxQ1sw-zjWAoyGeMgSNghfrRK_eZSM2smT80hE/s400/girls-hbo-season-2-episode-6-ray-adam.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam Driver and Alex Karpovsky in <i>Girls</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Inside the gaps of this rough
outline of the character arcs this season were some of the most compelling
single episodes of television I've seen in the last couple of years. <i>One
Man’s Trash</i> had Hannah ending up spending a romantic(ish) weekend with a
good looking upper-class doctor (Patrick Wilson), all taking place inside his
Brooklyn Brownstone, and somehow bringing together many of the shows themes
about love, happiness and contentment without even featuring any of the
supporting cast members. The episode <i>Boys </i>gave a chance for the
male perspective in the series, having the characters Adam and Ray spending an
afternoon tracking down the owner of a dog on Staten Island, and considering
Adam Driver and Alex Karpovsky are arguably two of the best actors on the show,
it was a hilarious and even emotional half hour of television.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The end of the season circles the
characters back around to places they’ve already largely been, and stands
(presumably purposefully) in stark contrast to the way the first season ended.
The first season ended with a shot of Hannah eating a piece of wedding cake on a beach
she had accidentally ended up at after falling asleep on the train, alone and
having broken up with Adam. The end of season two has Adam running shirtless
through the streets of Brooklyn to win her back. Similarly, Marnie
swallows her pride and, with some lines that sound like they are out of <i>You’ve
Got Mail</i>, basically begs Charlie to take her back, after dumping him near
the end of S1.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We expect characters on
television to grow, to change, to shift. The character arcs on display here,
however, thwart that troupe. We know that Adam and Hannah, and Charlie and
Marnie, are not good together because we’ve seen them together and it was
borderline toxic on both counts. But young people make mistakes, and we
do what is comfortable to us even when we know it’s the wrong thing for us.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And that is what makes this show
different from most others. There’s a realness to it simply not found
anywhere else on television right now. At least four or five times an
episode, I find myself nodding my head and smiling at the way Dunham’s writing
captures a moment that I feel like I’ve been a part of before in my own life;
whether it’s a situation, a thought, a line of dialogue, or even the inflection
used in the way a character says something. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It can feel a tad like
scientifically observing gorillas in the wild rather than actually empathizing
with the characters, and in this way I understand why some people would not be
inclined to watch the show. But as long as <i>Girls</i> keeps being
interested in the awkwardness, the strangeness, the hilariousness, and the pain
of real situations and real people, I will be a fan.</div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-6268797282720556982013-03-11T12:29:00.000-07:002013-03-11T12:30:02.636-07:00The Best of 2012, Part II: The Top 10 Films of 2012<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I guess if I had to pick out a
theme found across my favorite films of 2012, it would be that most of the
films here represent the unique voice of each of their directors, and are
almost sort of a window into their hearts and minds. None of these movies
could have been made better by a different director, and that’s what really
makes them special. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ll try and keep my blurbs short
for each film on my list this year, because you were just going to scroll
through and look at the titles anyway, weren’t you? Hope you enjoy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(10) "</span><span style="color: #b45f06;">21 Jump Street"</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir.
Phil Lord & Chris Miller)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjot-s7jtnqbAsK0NV34vaa2At9J5iuUX221fdcaAIlJo8Rhp5LkWJ47PSE4qcIFLklmcfWJxD73XfFVxiNalZlxXyZdGhkeOZBlGf8V4cDscljB_NVoqdIrsMl5GcoGXXNQS_YRm-uA8/s1600/21+Jump+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjot-s7jtnqbAsK0NV34vaa2At9J5iuUX221fdcaAIlJo8Rhp5LkWJ47PSE4qcIFLklmcfWJxD73XfFVxiNalZlxXyZdGhkeOZBlGf8V4cDscljB_NVoqdIrsMl5GcoGXXNQS_YRm-uA8/s320/21+Jump+street.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The first movie on my list was
this total comedy surprise featuring one of the year’s biggest success stories:
Channing Tatum. I had not seen any of his movies as of that point, but it
quickly became apparent that he has pretty great comedic timing, completely
holding his own next to Jonah Hill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">(9) "Django Unchained"<i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir.
Quentin Tarantino)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAOLkakvpFOsg6zhhhqf7P90V8n7npIbI_7V_JG92NZqmfV_ckuLtlnnpEWBHcOZoWLsX1S1bQlYsiEjOCOe4vPZr5uI6NwzseBH1pEjCfiTByZnkDknP8f3RLQzOaOSKqF8vxAW7a9o/s1600/django.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAOLkakvpFOsg6zhhhqf7P90V8n7npIbI_7V_JG92NZqmfV_ckuLtlnnpEWBHcOZoWLsX1S1bQlYsiEjOCOe4vPZr5uI6NwzseBH1pEjCfiTByZnkDknP8f3RLQzOaOSKqF8vxAW7a9o/s400/django.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Django</i> is far from perfect
as a film, with at least two or three glaring flaws (the editing, a couple of
the performances). But this movie is so damn <i>fun</i>, that it becomes
pretty easy to overlook its flaws and just enjoy it. One thing Tarantino
has always been a master of is creating an undercurrent of tension in scenes of
dialogue, and seeing Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio go toe-to-toe in a
few of these types of scenes was a real treat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(8)</span> <span style="color: #b45f06;">"</span></span><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bernie<i>"</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir. Richard
Linklater)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX4DhXv4pU2GUPOJQTJ7IPN72WagoMwag9NmZx8gcNXgwlYAqBbD9aEcHJ46FdBNBwbU0SHEGHqYEnOkm1g2-aAtd4hREW9m5Ezdm80-IqgdwtWMRiohzU4D9ScwJ4HW7n1TrBNbTCnI/s1600/Bernie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX4DhXv4pU2GUPOJQTJ7IPN72WagoMwag9NmZx8gcNXgwlYAqBbD9aEcHJ46FdBNBwbU0SHEGHqYEnOkm1g2-aAtd4hREW9m5Ezdm80-IqgdwtWMRiohzU4D9ScwJ4HW7n1TrBNbTCnI/s320/Bernie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jack Black gives the best
performance of his career in this dark comedy (based on a true story), about an
ambiguously gay funeral director from Carthage, Texas who commits a murder.
Black does a great job of making the character so loveable that you take his
side (like the town did) after things start going downhill for him. The
interviews of real-life town folk who knew Black’s character provide some
moments of outstanding comedy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">(7) "Silver Linings Playbook"</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir. David O. Russell)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZZGF9TQm0XZwbVIJK8OBXWvZWarMoLTAVqAA2OCzwvcHL02mAZ9PZtPK3RlyyAF6zMU99oAWGR5NfiAanOZGVC0ixizySwLBrW_NqRmDOSyUI3KV-9lu0Zu9fWABTPgeKA6-NGHC8WM/s1600/silver-linings-playbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZZGF9TQm0XZwbVIJK8OBXWvZWarMoLTAVqAA2OCzwvcHL02mAZ9PZtPK3RlyyAF6zMU99oAWGR5NfiAanOZGVC0ixizySwLBrW_NqRmDOSyUI3KV-9lu0Zu9fWABTPgeKA6-NGHC8WM/s320/silver-linings-playbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The second film in a row from
David O. Russell that really had no right being as good as it was. In
this romantic comedy he gets so-far career best performances from Bradley
Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, and turns something that, in the hands of a
lesser director, could have gone very poorly, into something very real and
heartfelt. In his last two films, he now has directed SEVEN
Oscar-nominated performances along with three Oscar wins. A dumbfounding
statistic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">(6) "Moonrise Kingdom"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir.
Wes Anderson)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuvMpsD_qtoFpZdXYhear5HXaEKtnWQ3IS5Pdiaa7mprHUeDiuhaPK_7OcCQgdB1OGgf2hMN8F_qlTw0j92ujeAPIbpynS5O7GcT6pbeJwKEkhxamROSZQtscrIeyLcWbX5jRCGM3O0U/s1600/moonrise-kingdom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuvMpsD_qtoFpZdXYhear5HXaEKtnWQ3IS5Pdiaa7mprHUeDiuhaPK_7OcCQgdB1OGgf2hMN8F_qlTw0j92ujeAPIbpynS5O7GcT6pbeJwKEkhxamROSZQtscrIeyLcWbX5jRCGM3O0U/s320/moonrise-kingdom1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m pretty hit-or-miss with Wes
Anderson films, although I do always appreciate what he brings to the table
even if it doesn’t totally work. Here, it totally works, as he was able
to find material that completely suited his unmistakable quirky aesthetic.
A fanciful and fun tale of young “love” that really took me back to what
it’s like being an adolescent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(5) "Beasts of the Southern Wild"</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir. Benh Zeitlen)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gdLWEw9EvC_hvc5JBXGm8j1b7P7eUCUsy88axPRXStv911tF4zOVYpp4PkM1EDNelkQUC8rdNNAPH1-AM3TqLncLpkaOtY_NmB6GIFLATalVor6KJVM8duaziO-f6IeIJi3hNKk6APw/s1600/beasts-of-the-southern-wild02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gdLWEw9EvC_hvc5JBXGm8j1b7P7eUCUsy88axPRXStv911tF4zOVYpp4PkM1EDNelkQUC8rdNNAPH1-AM3TqLncLpkaOtY_NmB6GIFLATalVor6KJVM8duaziO-f6IeIJi3hNKk6APw/s320/beasts-of-the-southern-wild02.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The film that was this year’s
token “little indie film that could” definitely lived up to the hype. It
is, at once, a bizarrely surreal fantasy-adventure combined with a
heartbreaking, almost documentary-like glance at the extreme poverty of the
southern-Louisiana gulf, all anchored by one of the best child performances
I’ve ever seen in Quvenzhane Wallis. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(4) "The Master"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir. Paul
Thomas Anderson)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XAkn0V5uBI826FZSO_9tQBYXEI_m8zAQIn7UgBRTwKqIOHV65S2XPMe-nvPhEzjywySnuBD_Nbo_8xIyL1GEfKt0aSas6OCEPvGyex9r429O1GE-ZLWvZQZcNBpSMtaz86dRXAfZgCs/s1600/the+master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XAkn0V5uBI826FZSO_9tQBYXEI_m8zAQIn7UgBRTwKqIOHV65S2XPMe-nvPhEzjywySnuBD_Nbo_8xIyL1GEfKt0aSas6OCEPvGyex9r429O1GE-ZLWvZQZcNBpSMtaz86dRXAfZgCs/s320/the+master.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A performance for the ages in
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal as the leader of “The Cause,” an
unpredictable and visceral performance from Joaquin Phoenix as a WWII Navy Vet,
and some masterful directing from Paul Thomas Anderson all add up to show us a
somewhat disheartening look at how human psychology can be exploited by modern
religion, a thought that will leave audiences left feeling greatly unsatisfied
but for me was an exercise in introspection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(3) "Holy Motors"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir. Leos
Carax)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-rI7vNsjLUtrTJVjEf8V8lNENGxA1v_spBkbQ5BqOPcpN_oGdsvbnVPFEYRMIIod_NXvWjISEvdBf9xN7-gXpkcbuxnDADZD34QgWK20YHxpXpDRGZRSIwggVCbiBjdUYrZzJqThX8k/s1600/holy-motors-film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-rI7vNsjLUtrTJVjEf8V8lNENGxA1v_spBkbQ5BqOPcpN_oGdsvbnVPFEYRMIIod_NXvWjISEvdBf9xN7-gXpkcbuxnDADZD34QgWK20YHxpXpDRGZRSIwggVCbiBjdUYrZzJqThX8k/s320/holy-motors-film.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must disclaim that this is one
of the three or four strangest, most messed up movies I’ve ever seen. So
it’s not for everyone. Once you get past the strangeness of the premise
(an actor going around in a limo all day and doing several different acting
gigs: an old woman, a leprechaun, a mobster, etc.) you begin to see how rich
the idea is: all the world’s a stage, and we go through it playing different
parts; whether it’s as a father, a lover, a working man, or a friend.
This one gestated in my mind after watching it more than any other film
this year. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">(2) "Lincoln" </span>(dir. Steven
Spielberg)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh400iQXPEQ6hU0RAuJ8-dO-_9ZAQvIxZHAmJZE0VyjXanFPoL50s21av6Nvzqqws_flvCe8qtctlwwN8ya4NxGjIKnKSiF9Srow8nxmSV3uT6OJ2-TJ4kW43k_hraAcB_MvxWBC3bzUHU/s1600/Lincoln-movie-shot-1024x643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh400iQXPEQ6hU0RAuJ8-dO-_9ZAQvIxZHAmJZE0VyjXanFPoL50s21av6Nvzqqws_flvCe8qtctlwwN8ya4NxGjIKnKSiF9Srow8nxmSV3uT6OJ2-TJ4kW43k_hraAcB_MvxWBC3bzUHU/s400/Lincoln-movie-shot-1024x643.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m the last person to go along
with ideas when it comes to movies just because everyone else is saying it,
which is why I wasn’t necessarily prepared to worship at the altar of Daniel
Day-Lewis when I walked into the theater for <i>Lincoln</i>. I’ve never
been so happy to have my skepticism vanquished. He was already arguably
cinema’s greatest actor of the last 25 years, but with his performance as The
Great Emancipator in this film, he might have also become America’s most
beloved. The film was very good on many other counts, but replace DDL’s
performance with an above-average one, and it probably falls off this list.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">(1) "Amour"</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(dir. Michael
Haneke)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_gaWnYAkY4UrgVFXII0IxqJTGHC0UawDbKI9OG2jgJ1be2RmGn0gTQeU49rdgInvoS7yCPdYaPF72dd-4g8tpDFEKtcfT-_Cf6fwZnUpUnuW-gOUwv8f8d34M02G4o2F1hh5gmb2mzk/s1600/amour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_gaWnYAkY4UrgVFXII0IxqJTGHC0UawDbKI9OG2jgJ1be2RmGn0gTQeU49rdgInvoS7yCPdYaPF72dd-4g8tpDFEKtcfT-_Cf6fwZnUpUnuW-gOUwv8f8d34M02G4o2F1hh5gmb2mzk/s400/amour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
No need to wax poetic again about
this one, as I’ve already laid myself pretty bare about it here. I read a
Woody Allen quote once about when directors begin working on a movie they know
exactly what they want, but by the end of production they are just trying to
get out alive even if they know it is terrible. <i>Amour</i> exemplifies
the antithesis of this statement: from start to finish, it is possibly one of
the most controlled pieces of cinema of the last decade. Rich, delicate,
and vulnerable, it is a treasure I will not soon forget. </div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-56993423593800107912013-03-07T05:00:00.002-08:002013-03-07T05:00:35.969-08:00The Best of 2012, Part I: The 2012 Movie Awards
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Better late than never. I normally try and get
out my year-end film awards and Top 10 of the year posts written before the
Oscars, but this year it didn’t happen. It’s actually kind of difficult
to write these columns at the end of the year like real critics do, because I’m
not a special person who gets screeners of films in advance of their release,
and I don’t particularly like making these posts until I’ve had a chance to see
as much as possible from the prior year. So, I think a two-month buffer
between the end of the year and my post is acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In this Part I of my look at 2012 in Film, I hand
out my yearly Movie Awards, and in Part II I will unveil my Top 10 films of the
year, so stay tuned for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Until then, enjoy my
somewhat serious, somewhat not-so-serious movie awards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUmakXwLDMVLkhDXEJsvB3zrCI_SH-U1zwjVfwxD1U_vsfBYoU3YiIhgteg9mZKbTVNcvQfjBwxZmm8WNM3AxpfCChPqnUsKmYt78L4WcZHSabj5MD60ntQPRwQ9krmXWsKmt9iQShXA/s1600/the-master-paul-thomas-anderson-philip-seymour-hoffman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUmakXwLDMVLkhDXEJsvB3zrCI_SH-U1zwjVfwxD1U_vsfBYoU3YiIhgteg9mZKbTVNcvQfjBwxZmm8WNM3AxpfCChPqnUsKmYt78L4WcZHSabj5MD60ntQPRwQ9krmXWsKmt9iQShXA/s400/the-master-paul-thomas-anderson-philip-seymour-hoffman.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip Seymour Hoffman in <i>The Master</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Best Actor in a
Supporting Role: </b>Philip Seymour Hoffman, <i>The Master</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Other
Nominees:</span></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dwight
Henry, <i>Beasts of the Southern Wild</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Matthew
McConaughey, <i>Killer Joe<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jason
Clarke, <i>Zero Dark Thirty<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Javier
Bardem, <i>Skyfall</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Movie I will Probably
Watch More in my Lifetime than any other Movie this Year: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pitch Perfect</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Hollywood can
Pretend this Movie was Never Made, and I’ll Pretend I Didn’t Watch It”
Award: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">American Reunion</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Why? Oh Yeah,
Truckloads of Cash.” Award: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
Amazing Spiderman </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(But, seriously,
why?) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Ensemble Cast: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Master</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0njzOgFql2QCBUhBVJyCfwjdpuU2_D4gRowZGxnrjDHkTQ8AmZgHaNApONcNkZITkaNHLDF9S9xGSgYjgYv-8300FFGSmHwXwEi1P0I91OsEClk6bE7pwAk0qDJpRmgZGrfeaBN2y1w/s1600/COMPLIANCE-DOWD_510x317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0njzOgFql2QCBUhBVJyCfwjdpuU2_D4gRowZGxnrjDHkTQ8AmZgHaNApONcNkZITkaNHLDF9S9xGSgYjgYv-8300FFGSmHwXwEi1P0I91OsEClk6bE7pwAk0qDJpRmgZGrfeaBN2y1w/s400/COMPLIANCE-DOWD_510x317.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann Dowd in <i>Compliance</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Actress in a
Supporting Role:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Ann
Dowd, <i>Compliance</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Other
Nominees:</span></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anne
Hathaway, <i>Les Miserables</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Judi Dench, <i>Skyfall<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kara
Hayward, <i>Moonrise Kingdom<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Amy Adams, <i>The
Master</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Actually a lot better
than it had any right to be: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
Grey</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Most Underrated Movie of
the Year: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Goon</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Most Overrated Movie of
the Year: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Zero Dark Thirty<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Movie You Didn’t See
This Year: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Holy Motors</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Movie Everyone Saw
This Year: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Hunger Games</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (ended up on my year-end list at #20) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best
Cinematography: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Master</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (Mihai Malaimare Jr.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Original Musical
Score: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anna Karenina </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Dario Marianelli) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Biggest Letdown: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Prometheus</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <b>Biggest
Surprise: </b><i>Moonrise Kingdom</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Worst Movie I Saw This
Year: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Trouble With the
Curve</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Should be in Every
Movie” Award: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Javier Bardem <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Shouldn’t be in Any
Movie” Award: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Aaron Johnson </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI6QPYEXfUhHhVLZ0Kk70danZoNE8129rcOXzDbFKf5beMa6F37ipgku-tGLIkGCzb7ezoEfBB1Zknq-9eebfb8EoyoImP9vaPfM9fYq72oG9xhiWmpw3mzT2-V2KlUPWbeMztNRj77g/s1600/emanuelle+riva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI6QPYEXfUhHhVLZ0Kk70danZoNE8129rcOXzDbFKf5beMa6F37ipgku-tGLIkGCzb7ezoEfBB1Zknq-9eebfb8EoyoImP9vaPfM9fYq72oG9xhiWmpw3mzT2-V2KlUPWbeMztNRj77g/s400/emanuelle+riva.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmanuelle Riva in <i>Amour</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Actress in a Leading
Role: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Emmanuelle Riva, <i>Amour</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Other
Nominees:</span></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jennifer
Lawrence, <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Quvenzhane
Wallis, <i>Beasts of the Southern Wild</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Keira
Knightley, <i>Anna Karenina</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rachel
Weisz, <i>The Deep Blue Sea</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Adapted
Screenplay: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Lincoln </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Tony Kushner) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Original
Screenplay: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Moonrise Kingdom</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Tim Riggins Would be
Very Disappointed with your Acting Career” Award: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Taylor Kitsch, <i>Battleship, John Carter</i> and <i>Savages</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Breakout Director of the
Year: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Benh Zeitlen, <i>Beasts
of the Southern Wild</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Please, Someone Put
All of Them Out of Their Misery” Award: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter, <i>Dark Shadows</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Let’s Not Forget
This Was an Actual Movie That Got Made” Award: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">What to Expect When You’re Expecting</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “We’re Still Pumping
These Out, Huh?” Award: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Madagascar
#9, </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">and <i>Ice Age</i> <i>#15</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Okay, It
Wasn’t <i>That</i> Good” Award:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <i>Les Miserables</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Yeah, It Was <i>That </i>Good”
Award: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">21 Jump Street</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">The “Let’s Never Forget
that an Eddie Murphy Movie Actually Scored a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes” Award (I’m
actually kind of impressed): </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">A
Thousand Words</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz4uW_YRtzRCzBZMhlkiwoQcDWKy2OYpZ53FCMwT6jyxJmJSqF4j3tJI-HMKzdejot_kwhrtdSuaku-7mio6jPGldncbKmvFCQZxZlO8ZxQKH7TLaBVvsqQqWPtSk6TfDRuslRrVhq2w/s1600/lincoln+day+lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz4uW_YRtzRCzBZMhlkiwoQcDWKy2OYpZ53FCMwT6jyxJmJSqF4j3tJI-HMKzdejot_kwhrtdSuaku-7mio6jPGldncbKmvFCQZxZlO8ZxQKH7TLaBVvsqQqWPtSk6TfDRuslRrVhq2w/s400/lincoln+day+lewis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Day-Lewis in <i>Lincoln</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Best Actor in a Leading
Role: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Daniel Day-Lewis, <i>Lincoln</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Other Nominees:</span></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (Had 6 total nominees this year. because I can
do what I want, that’s why.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Christoph
Waltz, <i>Django Unchained</i> (Hey Oscars, this is a leading
performance!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Denis
Lavant, <i>Holy Motors</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jean-Louis
Trintignant, <i>Amour</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jack Black, <i>Bernie</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Joaquin
Phoenix, <i>The Master</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-3122548782805077692013-02-27T12:33:00.003-08:002013-02-27T13:22:47.870-08:00Oscars Post-Mortem 2013<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYXUOpGtizvnUN_7Eud71eqpAGE_SpVMi15tDsioh3amsMBRnZQt3osqzRAlCFKKZmWusjVxf6jDRAVkG2d5GkHMpgCadssDvq-eo3uWR30aXgtpkmln-3Fk5aXFk-LTmiLy4Og7V39k/s1600/jennifer-lawrence-oscars-press-room-video-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYXUOpGtizvnUN_7Eud71eqpAGE_SpVMi15tDsioh3amsMBRnZQt3osqzRAlCFKKZmWusjVxf6jDRAVkG2d5GkHMpgCadssDvq-eo3uWR30aXgtpkmln-3Fk5aXFk-LTmiLy4Og7V39k/s400/jennifer-lawrence-oscars-press-room-video-2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jennifer Lawrence made me and almost everyone on the planet swoon,
Daniel Day-Lewis embraced Meryl Streep which I’m pretty sure caused the Tree of
Life to reemerge in the garden of Eden, Joaquin Phoenix remains the weirdest
human being on the planet, Ben Affleck has somehow become the most likeable
person on the planet, and Seth MacFarlane has seen your boobs. Oh, and, Kristen Stewart. That happened. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>The Telecast</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thought kept rolling through my mind on Sunday evening as Seth
MacFarlane was doing Seth MacFarlane things: Haters gonna hate. Hosting
the Oscars has become a job with no upside lately; either you crash and burn
completely (Franco & Hathaway), you’re too safe (Billy Crystal, Hugh
Jackman), or you’re too much of an outsider and/or too crass (MacFarlane, Jon
Stewart). Not everyone’s going to be happy all the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Newsflash: MacFarlane has been making <i>Family Guy</i> episodes for
the past fourteen years. If anyone thought no lines were going to be
crossed, and that it was going to be some sort of all-class Bob Hope type of
night, then the word naïve doesn’t even begin to describe that person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, yes, some jokes were great, some fell flat, and a few
even—*gasp*—crossed a line or two. But that’s par for the course.
The cries of sexism on the night were definitely really odd to me. One of
my favorite Oscar Pundits, <a href="http://hitfix.com/in-contention" target="_blank">Kris Tapley</a>, put it this way: “Amid all the cries of
sexism, did no one take a breath and consider that one of the most sexist franchises
ever was being honored?” (Referring to the “50 Years of Bond” tribute). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Beyond the host, though, the telecast was quite long, and I’m not sure
that all of the musical stuff really fit together. Did we need Adele to
perform “Skyfall” in ADDITION to having the song during the Bond tribute? Why
not just put them together? Did we need Norah Jones to do the song from <i>Ted</i>?
Probably not. Did I need more Hathaway in my evening than
absolutely necessary by the insistence that the cast of <i>Les Mis</i> do a
number? No, but again, this show is not going to make everyone happy all
the time, and you, me, and everyone need to accept that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><b>The Awards</b></u></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFH76L-o8BOamJQunCKWXfLkPjIe8SbV5fZYonpY_rrfv7f0jVTNffsCBCrjqoo0bNluJK65QoSp71llPGG5phqEKaLjoIj27TVKvApDNyakj111AqLwI0RU9Rm6qAlWISjTFBEpvVAw/s1600/daniel-day-lewis670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFH76L-o8BOamJQunCKWXfLkPjIe8SbV5fZYonpY_rrfv7f0jVTNffsCBCrjqoo0bNluJK65QoSp71llPGG5phqEKaLjoIj27TVKvApDNyakj111AqLwI0RU9Rm6qAlWISjTFBEpvVAw/s400/daniel-day-lewis670.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Caution: Photo may solve world hunger.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I predicted 18 out of 24 categories correctly in this year’s Oscars,
not anything to write home about, but in the weirdest year since I’ve been
doing this I can’t be too upset about that score, considering that was a bit
higher than average compared with most of the Oscar pundit “experts.”
Allow me to lay out a few items that I’ve learned this year about
predicting Oscars, and a couple of thoughts on the awards in general.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>(1) Precedents are useful, but should not be taken as Gospel.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I shied away at the last minute from predicting Christoph Waltz to win
Best Supporting Actor in favor of DeNiro due to Waltz’s lack of a SAG
nomination. Only ONCE since the SAG awards started in the early ‘90’s has
an actor/actress in any of the four categories won an Oscar without a SAG
nomination, and that was Marcia Gay Harden for <i>Pollock</i>. Waltz had
all the momentum in the world, and DeNiro had yet to win a single precursor
award for his role despite being nominated in all of them. That was stupid.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Argo</i> was a big fat anomaly from the beginning. Failing to
score a nod for Ben Affleck for Best Director, it would become only the fourth
film ever to win Best Picture without that director nomination, which is why
many had thought <i>Lincoln</i> would take it. However, it would have
been even more rare for it to win all of the guild awards it had won without
actually winning the whole thing. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>(2) The Oscars Favor Best Picture Nominees in Tech
Categories...Kinda.</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But not always, or with any sort of predictable consistency. <i>Lincoln</i>
took home Best Production Design over <i>Anna Karenina</i> (one of the bigger
surprises of the night), although <i>Anna Karenina</i> still took the award for
Best Costume Design. All other tech awards were brought home by a Best Picture
nominee, except for <i>Skyfall</i>’s shared win with <i>Zero Dark Thirty</i>
for Sound Editing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><b>(3) Daniel Day-Lewis</b> <b>and the words “Greatest Ever” may now
be used in the same sentence.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m not saying that he absolutely 100% IS the greatest ever, I’m
saying that this is now a conversation we can, and should start having.
Having secured his third Oscar for a leading role, he is now ahead of
everyone past or present, including the likes of Spencer Tracy, Marlon Brando,
Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Pacino and DeNiro (not that Oscars are the
end-all-be-all for this conversation, but, it’s at least very significant to
the discussion). History usually allows us the room we need to let these
determinations ferment, but with Day-Lewis it’s simply too much evidence to
ignore. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG20KtksZgRZRiRr19z0c4cL_dCokAXqX_Q_CMl_cA_jvKd-49q6VSRSaE_AS6or3olp07QGR11Grjjc9REU039s69WXXAeC_8EKckniVvdi6s6vcwm-mpNdIgW1dvaLgPd4m4bSOOODI/s1600/x342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG20KtksZgRZRiRr19z0c4cL_dCokAXqX_Q_CMl_cA_jvKd-49q6VSRSaE_AS6or3olp07QGR11Grjjc9REU039s69WXXAeC_8EKckniVvdi6s6vcwm-mpNdIgW1dvaLgPd4m4bSOOODI/s400/x342.jpg" width="277" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey, cool, an Oscar.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>(4) Clooney.</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=G8OqJqOIdb4#t=257s" target="_blank">Remember that time when MJ made his sixth three pointer in a row at the 1992 NBA Finals and just shrugged?</a> Yeah, I’m pretty sure that was George Clooney
accepting the award for Best Picture on Sunday. He didn’t make a speech (only
producer not to make a speech for the film), and just stood there with a wry
smile on his face, like “Cool.” What a man.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And just for fun, here’s a short little list of movies I expect to
be in the discussion for Oscars around this time next year:</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">August: Osage County</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nebraska</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Wolf of Wallstreet</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Inside Llewyn Davis</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gravity</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Labor Day</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before Midnight</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Counselor</span></i></div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-51782572334138568472013-02-20T16:05:00.000-08:002013-02-21T09:07:17.732-08:00Final Oscar Predictions 2013<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Back in January, I spent
a lot of time putting together a coherent set of predictions for the Oscar
Nominations. As I stated in that column, it was a very weird year for
prognosticating movie awards. That trend has continued in a lot of ways
throughout the various precursor awards shows, although surprisingly, the Best
Picture race is not nearly as close as I thought it would be at this point.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zPE1B9WVeHULRNojhCp-myWTfpH0rAeWDWb_Xe_ZGsIYfvhFkBjWIoEUwQF2cwJqLdKDPVAeKRFJtzwWFJtVLonZlNw1Wo5mUo0pMaUzQfIELi-Gx4IP9z9zA7Fuw9Po9y8_uscNya8/s1600/olly-moss-oscar-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zPE1B9WVeHULRNojhCp-myWTfpH0rAeWDWb_Xe_ZGsIYfvhFkBjWIoEUwQF2cwJqLdKDPVAeKRFJtzwWFJtVLonZlNw1Wo5mUo0pMaUzQfIELi-Gx4IP9z9zA7Fuw9Po9y8_uscNya8/s400/olly-moss-oscar-poster.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of the eight major
categories, there are three that I will point out that are fairly locked up,
while the other FIVE have legitimate neck-and-neck races going on. In the
years I have been doing this, there haven’t been nearly that many open races in
the major categories—like, not even close. No one knows anything this
year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I’d say don’t waste
your time reading a ton of predictions this year, except that I want you to
read mine. But have a look around the interwebs and it will be humorous
to you just how wildly different everyone’s predictions will look. Again,
no one knows anything this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As usual, I have laid
out below my predictions, complete with my perceived percentages for the
winners, and what I think could win, should win, and should have been
nominated. Feel free to follow along and revel in my failure, or my
success. Enjoy, and if you happen to be tuned in to the Oscars on Sunday
evening, follow me over on twitter @adamswindow and see my meltdown firsthand
after my predictions go haywire. But please don’t judge me, because
again, no one knows anything this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST PICTURE:</u></span></b><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><i>Argo</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>98<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Amour</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b><i>The Master</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>This category is going to be an anomaly of epic
proportions no matter how it turns out. <i>Argo </i>will be only the 5th
film to ever win Best Picture without a Best Director nomination. If it
somehow loses, however, it would be unprecedented to have won the number of
precursor awards that it has without winning the big prize at the end.
It’s lack of a director nomination makes it <i>just</i> open enough that
a shocker here could be in store. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST DIRECTOR:</u></span></b> <b>Ummmm, Steven Spielberg, I guess??</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>% Sure: </b>Negative 25%. I’ve never felt more
uncertain about a prediction, ever. <br />
<b>Could Win: </b>David O. Russell<br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Michael Haneke, <i>Amour</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b>Paul Thomas Anderson, <i>The Master</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>Since Best Director normally goes hand-in-hand
with Best Picture, and we know that won’t happen this year since Affleck wasn’t
nominated, this category is going to be the most fun to see the winner
announced on Sunday night. I think 4 of the 5 nominees have a legitimate
chance of winning, and here’s how I see it playing out:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Spielberg: 30%</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>David O. Russell: 27.5%</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Michael Haneke: 22.5%</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ang Lee: 20%</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Benh Zeitlen: 0%</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING
ROLE:</u></span></b> <b>Daniel Day-Lewis, <i>Lincoln</i></b></span></div>
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<br />
<b>% Sure: </b>95<br />
<b>Could Win: </b>Bradley Cooper, <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Daniel Day-Lewis<br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b>Denis Levant, <i>Holy Motors</i><br />
<b>Comments: </b>When DDL wins this award, it will be the first
time a male actor has won three lead actor Oscars. And it will be well
deserved. <br />
<br />
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ACTRESS IN A
LEADING ROLE:</u></span></b><b> Jennifer
Lawrence, <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89CBYupDtlpxm92UBxNd5mC4G7SLG5uDySHmSl-pNenl6fhe7Kjsm4Sdlq4cz1qapBZ1d_zyLFvB1eOiN4LQ5rs0epC_udzyyThayLGb7wx5b4ISbZo9J6RHCjPNDx4B-G4ClAnOUs7g/s1600/joshua-budich-silver-linings-playbook-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89CBYupDtlpxm92UBxNd5mC4G7SLG5uDySHmSl-pNenl6fhe7Kjsm4Sdlq4cz1qapBZ1d_zyLFvB1eOiN4LQ5rs0epC_udzyyThayLGb7wx5b4ISbZo9J6RHCjPNDx4B-G4ClAnOUs7g/s400/joshua-budich-silver-linings-playbook-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" width="300" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89CBYupDtlpxm92UBxNd5mC4G7SLG5uDySHmSl-pNenl6fhe7Kjsm4Sdlq4cz1qapBZ1d_zyLFvB1eOiN4LQ5rs0epC_udzyyThayLGb7wx5b4ISbZo9J6RHCjPNDx4B-G4ClAnOUs7g/s1600/joshua-budich-silver-linings-playbook-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>% Sure: </b>60<br />
<b>Could Win: </b>Emmanuelle Riva, <i>Amour </i><b> </b><br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Emmanuelle Riva<br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b> Rachel Weisz, <i>The Deep Blue Sea</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>Emmanuelle Riva, age 87, has gained some major
steam of late for her amazing performance in <i>Amour</i>, leaving Jessica
Chastain in her wake and catching up to Jennifer Lawrence. Any of the
three could win, but I think it’s a two-horse race between Riva and Lawrence.
The Academy loved both movies, as each was nominated for director and
best picture. <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i> is the more commercially
friendly movie and was nominated in all four acting categories, something that
hasn’t happened in over 30 years. I think those elements are just enough
to push it over the edge and give Lawrence the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ACTOR IN A
SUPPORTING ROLE:</u></span></b> <b>Robert DeNiro, <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>% Sure: </b>30<br />
<b>Could Win: </b>Christoph Waltz, <i>Django Unchained</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Philip Seymour Hoffman,<i> The Master</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b>I’m just glad that Waltz and Hoffman were both
nominated. If I had to pick one, I’d go with Javier Bardem in <i>Skyfall</i>. <br />
<b>Comments: </b>Actually, this category is almost as difficult
as Director. Jones, DeNiro, and Waltz could all win and I would not be
surprised. This is stupid. I quit. <br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ACTRESS IN A
SUPPORTING ROLE:</u></span></b> <b>Anne Hathaway,
<i>Les Miserables</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>% Sure: </b>99.5<br />
<b>Could Win: </b>Sally Field, <i>Lincoln</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Gotta give it up to Ms. Hathaway here. She
was excellent. <br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b>Ann Dowd, <i>Compliance</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>Ok, phew, we’re finally back to a category I’m
sure about. Equally certain is that Hathaway will somehow find a way to
annoy the ever-living crap out of me on Oscar night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ORIGINAL
SCREENPLAY:</u></span></b> <b><i>Django
Unchained</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>60<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Amour</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Moonrise Kingdom</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b><i>Holy Motors</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>Another wide open race here between <i>Django
Unchained </i>and <i>Amour</i>. Tarantino lost this award in 2009 when <i>The
Hurt Locker</i> ousted <i>Inglorious Basterds</i>, even though most thought he
was the favorite to win. I think this award will be really indicative of
who will win Best Actress—if <i>Amour </i>somehow wins this, then I think Riva
also wins Best Actress rather than Jennifer Lawrence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04SdeZHqiDhnuUAwdhh0N59jxcVHA2VP1s8L5qx2UWYBiWe_uW5jjGfmhU_XHpNVjdpnrRxk_XZ5-y42Ws5eykKd_Xq6XUFx6WBbB9bsIcsn5qDqagCvuZUBhWdZt-1jnp9EYVp4WXPk/s1600/tom-whalen-life-of-pi-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04SdeZHqiDhnuUAwdhh0N59jxcVHA2VP1s8L5qx2UWYBiWe_uW5jjGfmhU_XHpNVjdpnrRxk_XZ5-y42Ws5eykKd_Xq6XUFx6WBbB9bsIcsn5qDqagCvuZUBhWdZt-1jnp9EYVp4WXPk/s640/tom-whalen-life-of-pi-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" width="209" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:</u></span></b><b> <i>Argo</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>% Sure: </b>80<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Lincoln</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Lincoln</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b> <i>21 Jump Street</i><br />
<b>Comments: </b>Your Best Picture winner is going to take this
one. If it doesn’t, look out. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST FILM EDITING:</u></span></b><b> <i>Argo</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>90<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Zero Dark Thirty</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Argo</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b><i> Looper</i><br />
<b>Comments:</b> I simply cannot see <i>Argo</i> winning
Best Picture without also taking home this award. If it fails to pick up
this Oscar early in the evening, look out for a BP upset. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:</u></span></b><b> <i>Life of Pi</i></b></span>
<b>% Sure: </b>70<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Skyfall</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Skyfall</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b> <i>The Master</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments:</b> The only thing holding me back from
saying <i>Life of Pi</i> is sure to win this, is that Roger Deakins,
cinematographer of <i>Skyfall</i>, has been nominated many times and had an
amazing career, yet never won the award. He is sorely overdue. And <i>Skyfall</i>
is great work and deserves to be awarded. But <i>Life of Pi </i>is no
weak candidate here, and its aesthetic is so tightly woven into its story that
I think it might just be too hard to ignore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:</u></span></b> <b><i>Anna Karenina</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure:</b> 60<br />
<b>Could Win:</b> <i>Les Miserables</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Lincoln </i>(Full Disclosure: haven’t seen Anna Karenina)<br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b><i>Moonrise Kingdom</i><br />
<b>Comments: </b>I’m very hesitant to predict this, because <i>Les
Miserables </i>could easily take it, and this category usually likes to award
films nominated for Best Picture over non-nominees (a trend you will see
reflected in the rest of my predictions, as well). Hopefully <i>Anna
Karenina</i> is just too much of a behemoth in this category to ignore in favor
of lesser (although good) work in <i>Les Miserables</i>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST COSTUME DESIGN:</u></span></b> <b><i>Anna Karenina</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>55<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Les Miserables</i><b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Should Have Been There: </b>A nod for <i>Beasts of the Southern Wild</i>
would’ve been cool here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b><i>Les Miserables </i>could easily take this and I wouldn’t be
surprised, but Anna Karenina has beat it out in a number of precursor awards.
Another coin-flip here. Whatever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnmQNs8wiknKksZOucDPTaTv6ySgfXloSzOGAKdwOx8fg-bPXi5sKBvtriCQALWHABFYnKdii-i_BpkmBSZVTPeBGed7z8kvT0yzaHrWzB0X4POagEg1hFF1SWamsAQm_Z_YXbZ1QvXo/s1600/LES-MISeRABLES-Phantom-City-Creative-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnmQNs8wiknKksZOucDPTaTv6ySgfXloSzOGAKdwOx8fg-bPXi5sKBvtriCQALWHABFYnKdii-i_BpkmBSZVTPeBGed7z8kvT0yzaHrWzB0X4POagEg1hFF1SWamsAQm_Z_YXbZ1QvXo/s400/LES-MISeRABLES-Phantom-City-Creative-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" width="300" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnmQNs8wiknKksZOucDPTaTv6ySgfXloSzOGAKdwOx8fg-bPXi5sKBvtriCQALWHABFYnKdii-i_BpkmBSZVTPeBGed7z8kvT0yzaHrWzB0X4POagEg1hFF1SWamsAQm_Z_YXbZ1QvXo/s1600/LES-MISeRABLES-Phantom-City-Creative-movie-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST MAKEUP AND
HAIRSTYLING:</u></span></b> <b><i>Les
Miserables</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>% Sure: </b>90<br />
<b>Could Win: </b>Whatever<br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Whatever<br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b><i>Holy</i> <i>Motors </i><br />
<b>Comments: </b>Just going with the theory that it’s a Best
Picture nominee against non-nominees. Whatever, moving along...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST SOUND MIXING:</u></span></b><b> <i>Les Miserables</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>90<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Life of Pi</i><br />
<b>Should Win:</b> <i>Les Miserables</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b>All good noms, I suppose.<br />
<b>Comments: </b>Big musicals with a lot of nominations rarely
lose this one. Easy money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u><br /></u></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST SOUND EDITING:</u></span></b> <b><i>Life of Pi</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>% Sure: </b>75<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Zero Dark Thirty</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Life of Pi</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b><br />
<b>Comments: </b>Tiger and other zoo animals. Ship sinking.
Mysterious island. Streets of India. Lots of sound effects here. This is a
tough category, but I’m fairly confident in my prediction. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:</u></span></b><b> <i>Life of Pi</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>100<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>The Hobbit</i><br />
<b>Should Win:</b> <i>Life of Pi</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>The last time a non-Best Picture nominee beat
out a Best Picture nominee in this category was in 1970. Last year, I bet
against these odds and my prediction ended up being wrong. Not making
that mistake this year. As Life of Pi is the only BP nom in the visual
effects category, bet against it at your own risk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
FILM:</u></span></b> <b><i>Wreck-It
Ralph</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure:</b> 70<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Brave</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Wreck-It Ralph</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments: </b>There’s a little bit of a race here between
Pixar and Disney. Pixar has dominated this category throughout the years
but faltered last year when <i>Cars 2</i> disappointed and <i>Rango</i> took
home the prize. <i>Brave </i>is better than <i>Cars 2</i>, and has some
amazing animation, but <i>Wreck-It Ralph </i>is the better story, is more
innovative, and is the better film overall. I think people will be glad
to award Disney for their work here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE
FILM:</u></span></b> <b><i>Amour</i></b></span><br />
<b>% Sure: </b>110<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Could Win: </b><i>That’s My Boy</i>. It wasn’t nominated, but it has as much of a chance as any
of the four nominees not named <i>Amour</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Should Win: </b><i>Amour</i> <br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b> <i>Holy. Freaking. Motors</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments:</b> A foreign film that was nominated for
Best Picture has never failed to win this award. The only question here
is whether <i>Amour</i> can take home any other awards it was nominated for
besides this one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji019XpK1pXk5zapwJuDdJCPe1Tb7KqmW6ug_syhmgl_n2jFpL_qlYLYBcib2AG1GzfwD8lLweQmzvGg6mdDmHSxiR8I0H24-RlsKSlCwYb3hlhpVd_zsfN2tTQsMPRevBiEseoPN8awM/s1600/BEASTS-OF-THE-SOUTHERN-WILD-movie-Rich-Kelly-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji019XpK1pXk5zapwJuDdJCPe1Tb7KqmW6ug_syhmgl_n2jFpL_qlYLYBcib2AG1GzfwD8lLweQmzvGg6mdDmHSxiR8I0H24-RlsKSlCwYb3hlhpVd_zsfN2tTQsMPRevBiEseoPN8awM/s1600/BEASTS-OF-THE-SOUTHERN-WILD-movie-Rich-Kelly-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji019XpK1pXk5zapwJuDdJCPe1Tb7KqmW6ug_syhmgl_n2jFpL_qlYLYBcib2AG1GzfwD8lLweQmzvGg6mdDmHSxiR8I0H24-RlsKSlCwYb3hlhpVd_zsfN2tTQsMPRevBiEseoPN8awM/s400/BEASTS-OF-THE-SOUTHERN-WILD-movie-Rich-Kelly-inside-the-rock-poster-frame.jpg" width="300" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST DOCUMENTARY
FEATURE</u>:</span></b><b> <i>Searching for
Sugar Man</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>% Sure:</b> 89.5<br />
<b>Could Win:</b> <i>The Invisible War</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b>Considering I haven’t seen any of the
nominees...I will abstain.<br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b> <i>The Queen of Versailles</i><br />
<b>Comments:</b> <i>Sugar Man</i> will win. Moving
along...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:</u></span></b> <b><i>Life of Pi</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b>% Sure:</b> 75<br />
<b>Could Win:</b> <i>Lincoln</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Lincoln</i><br />
<b>Should Have Been There:</b> <i>The Master</i><br />
<b>Comments:</b> It’s either <i>Life of Pi </i>or <i>Lincoln </i>here.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ORIGINAL SONG:</u></span></b> <b>“Skyfall” by Adele</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>% Sure:</b> 110<br />
<b>Comments:</b> Easy. Moving along. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
FILM:</u></span></b><b> <i>Curfew</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b>% Sure:</b> 79.5<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Death of a Shadow</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Should Win:</b><i> Curfew...</i>the only one that was even remotely good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments:</b> Hey, I’ve actually seen all these! They
were not a very good slate this year, but <i>Curfew</i> was the only one that I
could legitimately see winning here...the other nominees were all well-shot,
but were all some combination of manipulative, contrived, or inconsequential,
in my estimation. <i>Curfew</i> was fun and moving, and to boot was the
only English-language nominee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST ANIMATED SHORT
FILM:</u></span></b><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span> Paperman</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b>% Sure:</b> 90<br />
<b>Could Win: </b><i>Adam and Dog</i><br />
<b>Should Win: </b><i>Paperman</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Comments:</b> I think Disney will win it’s first of two
awards with this category, with the emotional and retro <i>Paperman</i>. <i>Adam
& Dog </i>is probably the more meaningful film, and is wonderfully
animated, but <i>Paperman</i> just makes you feel the feels and also has a cool
visual style to it, the combination of which I think will be more than enough
to get it the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u>BEST DOCUMENTARY, SHORT
SUBJECTS</u>:</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span> <b><i>Open Heart</i></b></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">% Sure:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> 50</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Comments:</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> No comments, because
literally no one cares about this category, including me. </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-56360244991337108642013-02-01T09:13:00.001-08:002013-02-06T06:36:24.008-08:00Review: 'Amour'<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5308769633993506" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I won’t ever forget the
last time I spoke with my Grandpa. He didn’t get out of bed too often in
the last few months of his long life, and although he wasn’t terminally sick
yet on that day, I knew it was only a matter of time until the next illness
would just be too much. I knelt beside his bed and held his hand. We
talked about fishing, chasing pretty girls, and whether I could help him “go
sue some people;” nothing of much consequence, yet nothing of greater
significance. I sat next to him until he was getting noticeably tired
from talking, I told him that I loved him very much, and when I walked out of
the room I knew in my heart that it would be the last time I saw him.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In <i>Amour</i>,
recently nominated for Best Picture for this year’s Oscars, director Michael
Haneke explores the universality of this type of experience, and portrays the
realities of aging and death in a way few films ever have.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgecLcG6b9GJBPYKWAN5aHve0l1-3qEDQXjwO7oHRGe9hif-uaLA8LTaSEW5KZcAE4mW12P1iqlXPdqqKEpYs1CrNel4KX4_A80FysRK1tT1vcEKiE4LoBx58w-cfHdoqgkZVmGCOi5A/s1600/Amour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgecLcG6b9GJBPYKWAN5aHve0l1-3qEDQXjwO7oHRGe9hif-uaLA8LTaSEW5KZcAE4mW12P1iqlXPdqqKEpYs1CrNel4KX4_A80FysRK1tT1vcEKiE4LoBx58w-cfHdoqgkZVmGCOi5A/s400/Amour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">An aging but vibrant
middle-class French couple, Georges and Anne (Jean-Louis Trintignant, and
Emmanuelle Riva, who was Oscar-nominated for her role) experience misfortune
when Anne suffers a stroke one morning at the breakfast table. This comes
as no surprise to the viewer, since a sequence at the beginning of the film
shows firemen breaking into the couple’s Parisian flat to find Anne’s dead but
delicately arranged body on the their bed, covered with flowers and dressed in
fine clothing. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We know that life has
taken its course with Anne, what we don’t know is how her stroke affects her
life, as well as Georges, their family (a middle-aged daughter played by
Isabelle Huppert), and acquaintances as her condition deteriorates throughout
the film. No stranger to depicting harsh realities throughout his oeuvre,
Haneke doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths of terminal care; we see
long sequences of Anne attempting menial tasks such as opening a book or
putting on her reading glasses with her one good arm, and Georges assisting her
into and out of her bed and wheelchair. As she becomes less and less able
to take care of herself, Georges must help Anne with her restroom, feeding, and
speech therapy needs, and one particularly painful sequence involves a nurse
giving a mentally detached Anne a sponge bath while she murmurs “hurts” over
and over. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Riva and Trintignant are
brilliant in their roles, but Haneke’s direction is what allows them to shine,
and is what made the film so magnetic to me. Haneke films always take a
bit of a voyeuristic approach, and his commanding presence behind the camera
can tend to feel as though he is a character himself in the film. The
story contains such specificity that it could only be told by someone with
first-hand experience. Every shot he takes, every movement by an
actor, every line of dialogue, every set piece or costume choice, is
deliberately chosen and painstakingly considered. The precision on
display is simply unparalleled in 2012 cinema.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2G4TYHpYZizuOG_tNC3pfYmsjlaepHoaRTICymaHy9xtHULMQQdwpHxbYxyEdGg5OWQFChhyD9nrFUhax1CPlCUflW8Ooh4IoAGYAnoAeajzGa3E3z89avBEyxpte0qphIm5Dg8pBQ8/s1600/amour-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2G4TYHpYZizuOG_tNC3pfYmsjlaepHoaRTICymaHy9xtHULMQQdwpHxbYxyEdGg5OWQFChhyD9nrFUhax1CPlCUflW8Ooh4IoAGYAnoAeajzGa3E3z89avBEyxpte0qphIm5Dg8pBQ8/s400/amour-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you’re familiar with
his prior work, you know that Haneke (<i>Funny Games, Cache, The White Ribbon</i>)
has a penchant for violence, and startling his viewers. Although there is
no bloodshed in <i>Amour</i>, and is centered on two characters who are deeply
in love, it is no less violent than his prior work due to the sheer nakedness
of the subject matter. Accordingly, as Anne continues on a downward
spiral, Georges is increasingly perplexed at how to best care for his Love, and
once she is gone, life doesn’t exactly reach out and offer the catharsis one
might think he deserves. The earth keeps spinning, clocks tick at precisely the
same rate, and a withered old man is unceremoniously spat out on the other
side. And so it goes with life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Haneke captures this
surrealism expertly. Although I do feel that I was able to reach some
closure on the last day I saw my grandpa, the surrealism of it is what I
remember most about that experience. At that moment, I looked around the room
that my grandparents had lived in my entire life, and thought about how the
furniture, decorations, picture frames and such were mostly the exact same as
they were in my first memories of that home, and would continue on just as they
always had. Like in the movie, it felt harsh and unfair, as though the place
that sourced so much love and happiness over the years couldn’t be bothered to
trouble itself with the frailty of its own beating heart, and the inevitable
sadness it was soon to host. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A scene near the film’s
end shows a pigeon that flies into Georges and Anne’s flat from their courtyard
and begins poking around, and although literary devices are used sparingly in
this film, the symbolism is well-executed here. The pigeon is confused, and not really looking for a way out, but trying to cope with the unnatural state it finds itself in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I suppose all of us are. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span>adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-40868175128195653192013-01-07T12:35:00.001-08:002013-01-08T10:35:41.688-08:00Oscar Nomination Predictions 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My annual New Year’s resolution is to spend more
time than the year prior doing the most pointless things imaginable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this year I felt I should start off with
a bang and spend even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more</i> time than
usual researching my Oscar predictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
I’m glad I did because this year has been by FAR the most difficult to predict
since I started getting into the Oscars. I can’t ever remember a time when
there were 4 legitimate threats to win Best Picture by the time January rolled
around (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lincoln</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Les Mis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Argo</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zero Dark Thirty</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s another prediction for another
day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now, my focus is on Thursday’s
butt-crack-of-dawn Oscar Nominations announcement, or as I like to call it,
Christmas morning. Instead of throwing up my predictions and calling it a day,
I’m giving you the “inside Adam’s head” version for the way I see things lining
up right now for the major 8 categories. We’ll see how well I do come Thursday
AM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://artsandentertainmentplayground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/academy_awards-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://artsandentertainmentplayground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/academy_awards-1024x896.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Best
Picture:</u></span></span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Locks:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lincoln <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Les Miserables<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Argo<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zero Dark Thirty<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silver Linings Playbook<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life of Pi<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>The
Wild Card:</strong></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Django
Unchained<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Vying
for 0-3 Spots:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beasts of the Southern Wild<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moonrise Kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skyfall<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amour<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Master<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Final
Prediction</strong>: </em>A reminder that there are anywhere between 6-10 best Picture nominees. My money is on 8 this year: Lincoln, Les
Miserables, Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi, Django
Unchained, and screw it…Skyfall. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there are 9 or 10, add Beasts of the Southern Wild and Moonrise Kingdom to the list, in that order. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Best
Director:</u></span></span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Locks</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ben Affleck, <i>Argo</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kathryn Bigelow, <i>Zero Dark Thirty</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steven Spielberg, <i>Lincoln</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Pretty Safe:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ang Lee, <i>Life of Pi</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>I Think He’s In:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David O. Russell, <i>Silver Linings
Playbook</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>The Major Wild Card:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Haneke, <i>Amour</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Wouldn’t Totally Shock Me:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quentin Tarantino, <i>Django
Unchained</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wes Anderson<i>, Moonrise Kingdom</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom Hooper, <i>Les Miserables</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Thomas Anderson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Master</i><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Final Prediction</strong></em>: Affleck,
Spielberg, Bigelow, Lee, David O. Russell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/lincoln-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/lincoln-movie-poster.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not going out on any limbs by saying <br />
Lincoln will score huge with the Academy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Best
Actor:</u></span></span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Locks:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel Day-Lewis, <em>Lincoln<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugh Jackman<em>, Les Miserables<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Safe-ish?</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bradley Cooper<em>, Silver Linings Playbook<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Denzel Washington, <em>Flight<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Vying for 1 Spot:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Hawkes, <em>The Sessions<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joaquin Phoenix, <em>The Master<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Final
Prediction</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: I’m going with the SAG five:
Day-Lewis, Jackman, Cooper, Washington, Hawkes. Sorry, Joaquin.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Best
Actress:</u></span></span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Locks:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jessica Chastain, <em>Zero Dark Thirty<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jennifer Lawrence, <em>Silver Linings Playbook</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Not Safe in Any Way, Shape or Form:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naomi Watts, <em>The Impossible<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marion Cotillard, <em>Rust & Bone<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Inspiring a Lot of Passion:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quvenzhane Wallis, <em>Beasts of the Southern Wild</em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emanuelle Riva, <em>Amour<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Don’t Be Shocked if this Happens:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helen Mirren, <em>Hitchcock</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Final
Prediction</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Chastain, Lawrence, Watts,
Cotillard, Wallis.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Best Supporting Actor</span>:</span></u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Locks:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tommy Lee Jones, <em>Lincoln</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Sadly, Not Quite a Lock:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phillip Seymour Hoffman, <em>The Master<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>The Rest of the Mis-mash</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robert DeNiro<em>, Silver Linings Playbook</em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alan Arkin, <em>Argo<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Javier Bardem, <em>Skyfall<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leonardo DiCaprio, <em>Django Unchained<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christoph Waltz, <em>Django Unchained</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Final Prediction</strong></em>: TLJ, PSH, DeNiro,
Arkin, Bardem<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><u><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlWBhys60HRd7rhFwOH76pq1QDeHdUMe5cdIsdTUqQkFDvraGgusvDBTcWZECbPDpeH0KApKu_ReuIt_6DL_ThTz70lq3nqDdwF7vySnyaXRj20bzRM7x0FINbvwbQJohS4x9v_lSHUk/s640/Nicole-Kidman-in-The-Paperboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlWBhys60HRd7rhFwOH76pq1QDeHdUMe5cdIsdTUqQkFDvraGgusvDBTcWZECbPDpeH0KApKu_ReuIt_6DL_ThTz70lq3nqDdwF7vySnyaXRj20bzRM7x0FINbvwbQJohS4x9v_lSHUk/s400/Nicole-Kidman-in-The-Paperboy.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No guts, no glory: I'm predicting Kidman will get in <br />
for her strange performance in <em>The Paperboy.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>Best Supporting Actress:</u></strong></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Locks</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anne Hathaway, <em>Les Miserables<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sally Field, <em>Lincoln<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Safe:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helen Hunt, <em>The Sessions</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whatever</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:</span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amy Adams, <em>The Master<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicole Kidman, <em>The Paperboy</em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maggie Smith, <em>The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel</em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ann Dowd, <em>Compliance</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Final Prediction</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Hathaway, Field, Hunt, Adams, Kidman<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>
</u></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Best Adapted Screenplay:</u></span></span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locks:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></i></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Argo<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lincoln<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silver Linings Playbook<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>The Rest of the Field:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beasts of the Southern Wild<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Perks of Being a Wallflower<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life of Pi<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Les Miserables<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Final Prediction</strong>: </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Argo, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Beasts of the
Southern Wild, Life of Pi<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Best Original Screenplay:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></span></span></b></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Locks</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zero Dark Thirty<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Django Unchained</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pretty Safe</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moonrise Kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Really Feelin’ This One</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:</span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>The Rest of the Field:</strong></span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Master<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amour<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flight<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><strong> </strong></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Final Prediction</strong>:</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <em>Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained, Moonrise Kingdom,
Looper, The Master<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-52084277557559908212012-12-18T19:46:00.001-08:002012-12-19T08:21:36.291-08:00The Five Best Trailers of 2012<br />
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Now that I've discussed in varying degrees of seriousness my five least favorite trailers of 2012, I thought it was only appropriate to post my five favorite trailers of the year, which if you ask me was one of the better years for trailers that I can remember. One point of note: in this list I am referring to very <i style="font-weight: bold;">specific</i> trailers of the films I have listed, no teasers or lazy TV spots will be found here. I linked to the specific trailer I'm referring to with each one, so check out the links I have posted. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIS13HxtTQRWQnFroWtZzA0-vh2y42d9SJY_AIZK0w82C9qDXfGdqONYwc-oAyF6WolTpzVWwMhdrVVL8Crj39N6DZNQeHkDkwU4xM45S1E-73RI8krQCTyczpCP8CU0ZeL9mxz_PUXE/s1600/zero-dark-thirty-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIS13HxtTQRWQnFroWtZzA0-vh2y42d9SJY_AIZK0w82C9qDXfGdqONYwc-oAyF6WolTpzVWwMhdrVVL8Crj39N6DZNQeHkDkwU4xM45S1E-73RI8krQCTyczpCP8CU0ZeL9mxz_PUXE/s320/zero-dark-thirty-poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">#5: <i>Zero Dark Thirty</i></span></b></span><br />
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Ever climbing the charts on my most anticipated list, this trailer for Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to her Best Picture winning <i>The Hurt Locker</i> is heart-racing, hard-boiled, sleek and bad-ass. Starting off with a great piece of dialogue near the beginning about the dire straits the CIA was in during their hunt for Bin-Laden, we see a few shots a few shots of Jessica Chastain, who is the lead in the film but is ingeniously is not heard speaking anywhere in this trailer, giving her an air of mystery to play in the viewer’s mind while they wait on pins and needles for the film to be released (Just me??). </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>#4:</b> <b><i>The Dark Knight Rises</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfEYeCAyvTboiC3bTeZF7bjBZeRr2rl9kkzz8HORTnBWMfGHD75Q7p_9tW_KHDuACBs3_ugfff3g_B0DQP3b0_Hc1N3pK-3hDJnBVCelSKKg1gU-Y1VJ0o30F9X_Wm_BNcQUsnreGfHE/s1600/the-dark-knight-rises-teaser-poster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfEYeCAyvTboiC3bTeZF7bjBZeRr2rl9kkzz8HORTnBWMfGHD75Q7p_9tW_KHDuACBs3_ugfff3g_B0DQP3b0_Hc1N3pK-3hDJnBVCelSKKg1gU-Y1VJ0o30F9X_Wm_BNcQUsnreGfHE/s320/the-dark-knight-rises-teaser-poster1.jpg" width="216" /></a>This is the first of two trailers on my list that feature Anne Hathaway, yet still somehow made my list. My love of Nolan’s Batman trilogy is well-documented around these parts, so it probably comes as no surprise that the trailer for this film would end up on my list. My anticipation for the film was obviously quite high before it was released, but that aside, this is actually a <i>very</i> well-executed trailer. The ominous, faint piano accents from Hans Zimmer accompanying the shots of various acts of terrorism by Bane give us a feeling of general discomfort, and this leads into Bruce Wayne’s capture and torture. We don’t know if or when he is coming back. </div>
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“Hope is Lost,” but then the bass line drops in Zimmer’s music as we see a shot of Catwoman riding out on to the streets of Gotham under gorgeous green lighting (at 1:19), and then everything begins boiling up to an emotional peak that is undeniably well-executed. For such a mainstream franchise, this trailer is a level of artistic achievement not normally expected. Well done, Warner Bros. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#3: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Les Miserables</span></i></span></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk5UStefYmE" target="_blank">Trailer</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXpyEcuskv0qoLiqE-G2vr7z9XGFFp49h-9nCe9vJbZ_7cQjRn_ZpZVCod8sOBE1Baiz69GUlejRnq-0MQxu4PkkJa4HcGtLz4fVq-gm0ajEJyBQBQhSxMsYRSuB7lMiKH7fPdghXrL4/s1600/les-mis-poster-244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXpyEcuskv0qoLiqE-G2vr7z9XGFFp49h-9nCe9vJbZ_7cQjRn_ZpZVCod8sOBE1Baiz69GUlejRnq-0MQxu4PkkJa4HcGtLz4fVq-gm0ajEJyBQBQhSxMsYRSuB7lMiKH7fPdghXrL4/s320/les-mis-poster-244.jpg" width="216" /></a>The second trailer on my list featuring Anne Hathaway! I don’t know how this happened! (<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/why-do-people-hate-anne-hathaway" target="_blank">Why do I hate Anne Hathaway?)</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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In all honesty though, this is a pretty great trailer. Accompanied by Hathaway’s rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream,” the trailer introduces us to all the various characters of this beloved musical, and gives us a preview of the gorgeous cinematography, production design, and other craftsmanship we can expect to see on Christmas Day when the film is released. Many cinephiles dismiss director Tom Hooper’s odd use of his camera, but to me some of the shots we see here are pretty irresistible, from the tracking shot of the children running toward the camera at 0:17, to the shot on the ceiling at 0:23, to the floor level angle of Jackman in the church at 0:28.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a subsequent trailer which displayed the singing of some of the other actors like Jackman, Crowe, Redmayne and Seyfriend, but to me I really enjoy this first trailer’s focus on Hathaway’s song, which really sets the emotional and thematic stage for what we can expect in the film. Very moving. </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span">#2:</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"> The Master</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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Everyone’s
probably tired of me talking about <i>The Master</i>, but this is probably the
last time I’ll bring it up, at least until my Top 10 Films of 2012 column comes
along. The story of this particular trailer is very interesting to me, simply
because a lot of the shots and dialogue we see here didn’t even make it to the
final cut of the film (for instance, the scene in the jail cell where Joaquin
Phoenix shouts “just tell me something that’s true!”).<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
snippets of various beautiful on-location shots, the sleek late 1940’s
aesthetic, the general malaise due to Johnny Greenwood’s amazing original
music, and an excellent preview of Joaquin Phoenix’s craziness and Philip
Seymour Hoffman’s manipulation all add up to an excellent piece of work
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">#1: <i>Prometheus</i></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82a8HjBWQqsORwSna7CiLYfA__qcP1bxy82yLDXNEtU5qYPAyOIxB2kZOWS6HzmURD2pGUgVR9OPwz4qZB7dJ40JHvyQZbDrhhVQ5-J0ew43mBtW2l-m0rWofUJDoqBtxG3lBx6p5DYc/s1600/prometheus_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82a8HjBWQqsORwSna7CiLYfA__qcP1bxy82yLDXNEtU5qYPAyOIxB2kZOWS6HzmURD2pGUgVR9OPwz4qZB7dJ40JHvyQZbDrhhVQ5-J0ew43mBtW2l-m0rWofUJDoqBtxG3lBx6p5DYc/s400/prometheus_poster.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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One
of the biggest disparities for me ever between how I felt about a trailer
versus the actual movie was Ridley Scott’s <i>Prometheus</i>, the
reach-for-the-stars intergalactic summer blockbuster which sought to deliver an
interesting theory about the origins of life on planet earth, but really only
delivered a beautiful looking pile of horse crap. The trailer, however,
featured unique and gorgeous photography, and was constructed so well that I
was naïve to all of the many problems the film ended up having. Here’s a
breakdown of how great the trailer was compared to the film:<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Trailer: References to mythology and archaeology that
promised some sort of revelatory thoughts on the originations of life on earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Film: Nothing even remotely revelatory about
anything. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Trailer: The pulsating, tension-building screeching
sound that made me want to watch the trailer over and over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Film: Exactly one character that isn’t
one-dimensional.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Trailer: Some shots of Noomi Rapace looking like a
legit action star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Film: Perhaps the worst performance of Charlize
Theron’s career.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Trailer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logan
Marshall Green with a small speaking part.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Film: Logan Marshall Green with way too big of a speaking
part.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Trailer: Some seriously stunning quick-cut editing in
the final 30 seconds that made every male between the ages of 12-40 foam at the
mouth a little bit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Film: Characters doing things so incomprehensible
that even cliché horror films wouldn’t even make their characters do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-14043083734702138572012-12-03T19:54:00.000-08:002012-12-04T07:10:34.158-08:00The Five Worst Trailers of 2012<!--StartFragment-->
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Now that 2012 is one month shy of being in the books, and
we’ve seen every trailer for films that are going to be released this year, I
thought it was time I introduced two new columns I hope to write every year:
The Five Worst Trailers of 2012, and the Five Best Trailers of 2012 (coming
soon).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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By way of introduction, my set of criteria for the “worst”
list is basically this: how terrible do I think the film will be, based on the
trailer? For instance, the trailer for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gangster
Squad </i>is a pretty terrible trailer in and of itself, but I also know that
it stars Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, and Emma Stone, and it is directed by the visionary
man who gave us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zombieland</i>, so it
makes me think it won’t be a totally terrible film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s pretty much the extent of it. Other than that, please be aware that I conducted way more research than was necessary here in order to give you the best possible list (I watched A LOT OF CRAPPY TRAILERS). Hope you enjoy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">#5: </span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What to Expect When You’re Expecting</span></b></i></span><i> </i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2841223449/" target="_blank">Trailer Here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9MJsSI_EeVpATRdu43l9s3i5aDPUnkj4gI3iMWWzDwz7qn-ffozDhucvkijxpTakCvU2J3mikoxJXaEP6JXwC2l4lpBOM3zJopLi11ikMWT5x50lP6Ozt7Bbb3F_hW5jZmDUbGuSbYw/s1600/What-To-Expect-When-Youre-Expecting-poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9MJsSI_EeVpATRdu43l9s3i5aDPUnkj4gI3iMWWzDwz7qn-ffozDhucvkijxpTakCvU2J3mikoxJXaEP6JXwC2l4lpBOM3zJopLi11ikMWT5x50lP6Ozt7Bbb3F_hW5jZmDUbGuSbYw/s320/What-To-Expect-When-Youre-Expecting-poster.jpeg" width="219" /></a>It was a tough call at #5 between the two barrel-scraping
ideas that somehow got made into feature motion pictures this year: this film,
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Battleship</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can imagine an old studio exec, fresh out
of creative ideas, saying this: “Yeah, well...I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> have a couple of ideas, but I think they’re kinda lame...see one
is based on a hit board game in which you guess numbers to sink the other
team’s boats...and the other, I don’t really know what it’s about but there’s
this book everyone reads when they get pregnant and I think it would make a
great, catchy title for a film...”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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And somehow, those are the two ideas that get made into
films.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The trailer itself isn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so
</i>offensive that it shocks the conscience, but the tired “get me the epidural!!”
joke did nothing to win me over, nor did the obligatory playing of Notorious
B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” as the group of husbands enter with strollers in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Glee’</i>s
Matthew Morrison made his appearance and a woman literally sneezed her baby out
of her vagina, I didn’t feel like watching the rest of the trailer; but I’m
assuming that one of the dads gets hit in the nuts at some point, or a toddler
screams something really inappropriate (at which point the audience laughs
uncontrollably), or Cameron Diaz does something that 35-year old women think is
hilarious but everyone else is confused by this, or whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I don’t plan on catching up to this
one anytime soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqLYouxhzWxCTzuphL-b4zxhVotwQOFpuimtXqGZKRgA1fEUDAwo-WLkwNd0syFOMA8DQ4OwJ_PA0_PK-pBV2jZNydCIH4pq5kIJIl_3zH9egb8lZhUEsy1WO7nJDD1BpeDSqN1a7Gs8/s1600/dark+shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqLYouxhzWxCTzuphL-b4zxhVotwQOFpuimtXqGZKRgA1fEUDAwo-WLkwNd0syFOMA8DQ4OwJ_PA0_PK-pBV2jZNydCIH4pq5kIJIl_3zH9egb8lZhUEsy1WO7nJDD1BpeDSqN1a7Gs8/s1600/dark+shadows.jpg" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">#4: <i>Dark
Shadows</i> </span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi397582361/" target="_blank">Trailer Here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Hey,
look everyone! Tim Burton made another film adapted from black comedic
material! Whoa, hold on, is that...Johnny Depp in the lead role, playing some
sort of idiosyncratic weirdo?! No way!! Wait wait wait, don’t tell me Helena
Bonham Carter is in this also, playing some sort of freak with frizzy hair...that
would just be unprecedented! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Seriously,
Tim Burton’s paycheck could not be sticking any further out of his back
pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy has made two good movies
in the last 10 years, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Fish </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sweeney Todd</i> (the latter mainly being
because he left Sondheim’s musical mostly un-bastardized).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he and Disney keep making bank, so why
would anyone try to improve what they’re doing? He is the definition of
mediocre.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">#3: <i>Stolen</i></span> </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUPQU5safT3kG_8cLQczSpC-RNlUYhIHG1_zeKIC3orbiLKEgjCIV7ZdtkbQtSBFnYQQw9WpuY6d2CwwPHkZPFDBzcRSrlQ7yKjVQDaPhKLeHPH46d_Dq9rVnciP8UD5cy4BMfXtaM5Y/s1600/Stolen-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUPQU5safT3kG_8cLQczSpC-RNlUYhIHG1_zeKIC3orbiLKEgjCIV7ZdtkbQtSBFnYQQw9WpuY6d2CwwPHkZPFDBzcRSrlQ7yKjVQDaPhKLeHPH46d_Dq9rVnciP8UD5cy4BMfXtaM5Y/s320/Stolen-Poster.jpg" width="215" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3234440473/" target="_blank">Trailer Here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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This
wouldn’t be a respectable list of any sort if there weren’t a film starring
Academy Award Winner Nick Cage!! (I just loved that they threw that in there).
In apparently what was the rejected first script for the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taken</i>, badass Cage is a former criminal
(but the crime he committed was probably a misunderstanding and I’m sure he has
a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">great</i> heart) whose daughter is...wait
for it...STOLEN...and he must steal $10 Mil for the ransom demanded by his
former partner who probably should have spent a little longer in the makeup
department finding a wig (while I’m at it, can we just stop for a moment to
mourn the death of Josh Lucas’s promising career?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the odds that a studio executive
somewhere just goes all-out and develops the idea for a film in which Liam
Neeson AND Nick Cage’s daughters are simultaneously kidnapped and then, in a
shocking twist of events, the former criminal and the intelligence agent must
work <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">together</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>to get them back? The film would
obviously be called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">TAK3N: STOLEN YET AGAIN</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">#2:</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">
This Means War</span> </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1190305305/" target="_blank">Trailer Here</a></div>
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Two
white, male, ultra good-looking CIA Agents (aren’t they all, in movies?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>discover they are dating the same hot white
blonde and instead of being mad at her for being a cheating skank, try to screw
with each other for the next hour and a half while you wonder how, exactly, your
girlfriend dragged you into seeing this and whether or not she will still aptly
reward you later if you are checking basketball scores throughout the
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your interest level is unaffected
when the two agents realize that they must work together to solve an imminent
international crisis (after some crotchety old and/or probably black boss tells
them he doesn’t care about their personal s*** because they have a job to do),
and then probably have some witty back-and-forth bantering about the love
triangle as they are being rapidly fired upon in their final mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Also, there’s probably an explosion and
somehow the white skank gets involved in the mission and put in harms way and
one of the agents saves her. (I just made up that whole plot, but it sounds
pretty plausible, right?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">#1: <i>That’s My Boy</i></span></span></b></div>
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<i></i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3882852633/" target="_blank">Trailer Here</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH2gpdyy1eX42kKlCm3ZslYfK9LjFk3LEv-w40OnnBJKlh6mJgjoKDnE9dw0mZCqQ58idqP7TVZvAIEc2I7Qrs8HkQigf1DyDMAx6nLXcVVGeRcLomwHT84QlTkiHTTf3NGwHfMx9J8s/s1600/thats_my_boy_ver2_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzH2gpdyy1eX42kKlCm3ZslYfK9LjFk3LEv-w40OnnBJKlh6mJgjoKDnE9dw0mZCqQ58idqP7TVZvAIEc2I7Qrs8HkQigf1DyDMAx6nLXcVVGeRcLomwHT84QlTkiHTTf3NGwHfMx9J8s/s400/thats_my_boy_ver2_xlg.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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Film criticism of Adam Sandler movies has become a living
organism all on it’s own, to the point where I think some critics go out of
their way to apologize for his films in order to go against the grain; still,
every time a Sandler film is released, the best part of my day is firing up the
ole’ internet and reading every review I can get my hands on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had done this column last year, there’s
no doubt in my mind that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jack & Jill</i>
would have taken the top prize in this contest, what with its barrier-breaking
commentary on cross-dressing and all (wait, no? oh).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway, whatever greatness <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jack & Jill </i>may have brought to the table, the trailer for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s My Boy</i> demonstrates Sandler’s
uncompromising, stubborn determination to constantly improve upon himself with
each passing film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jack & Jill</i> gave us cross-dressing
jokes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s My Boy</i> gives us
pedophilia humor*.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al Pacino in a cameo?
Psshh, we’ll give you Rex Ryan in a cameo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other things we’ll just throw in for free here: a chick catching a fly
ball in her cleavage, tattooing your 8-year-old son’s back, ripping off your
own drunk voice from your <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Billy Madison </i>character,
strip club after strip club, ripping off the “waaazzzzuuupppp!!!” voice from
the decade-old Budweiser commercials, more strip clubs, and did I mention
pedophilia humor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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THE SANDLER DOES NOT SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRITY!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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*<i>As long as we are all aware that if this was a female
student who was in a relationship with a male teacher, the public outcry would
be deafening and all kidding aside this is a ridiculous double-standard being
promoted here.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-52895493718677941062012-11-06T19:42:00.000-08:002012-11-06T19:49:41.443-08:00Top 5 Alfred Hitchcock Films<br />
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Other
than perhaps Steven Spielberg, no name is more synonymous with the word
“director” in mainstream thought than Alfred Hitchcock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
man had what I believe to be the most prolific career of any Hollywood
director, past or present, with about 66 credits to his name spanning a 50-year
career.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXd9WBi_HE7B0FHPJdosUvxuIqcopUsAesimYGOBeIuC-r3uNXs0Bd9-3bUpHpfqJtcUrLSK2FQGLk-aMr9Wo0FzPdw63cAFhVQF_RlED2k-CaaVYpjs1B-yraggm-IGLHCJKJKMH060/s1600/psycho_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXd9WBi_HE7B0FHPJdosUvxuIqcopUsAesimYGOBeIuC-r3uNXs0Bd9-3bUpHpfqJtcUrLSK2FQGLk-aMr9Wo0FzPdw63cAFhVQF_RlED2k-CaaVYpjs1B-yraggm-IGLHCJKJKMH060/s400/psycho_l.jpg" width="300" /></a>Unfortunately,
I haven’t seen all 66 of his films—I’m currently only at 25 (although I have
seen all of his more highly regarded films).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless, I felt that with two forthcoming films about Hitchcock
(“Hitchcock” starring Anthony Hopkins, and HBO Movie “The Girl” starring Toby
Jones), a top-5 list of my favorites of his filmography was in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope you enjoy.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Psycho</i> (1960)</span></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
aforementioned film “Hitchcock” focuses on the story of the making of this
film, which the director struggled to even get made, due to the nature of the
source material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voted by AFI as the #1
horror film all time, the film follows a woman who skips town after stealing
$40,000, and ends up at the eerie Bates Motel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t spoil it any further for those who may
not have seen it, but everything that transpires is perhaps the genesis of the
modern horror genre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are exactly
four Hitchcock films that I believe to be better than this one, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psycho</i> will always be his most
iconic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><b>4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Rope</i> (1948)</b></span></div>
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Hitchcock
shot this entire 80-minute film in ONE take, which is probably the thing it is
most remembered for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the story
itself is probably one of the most oddly-intense narratives of any of
Hitchcock’s films, which seems like it’s right out of an Edgar Allen Poe volume
of short stories: Two young men strangle their "inferior" classmate,
hide his body inside a buffet table in their apartment, and invite his friends
and family to a dinner party as a means to challenge the "perfection"
of their crime.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jimmy
Stewart, one of Hitchcock’s go-to leading men, stars as the young mens’ former
school-teacher, who begins to catch on to their stunt, and pieces together the
clues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His performance is rock-solid, as
always, but the true revelation here is the psychotic, yet magnetic performance
of John Dall, the mastermind of the entire plan.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Rear Window</i> (1954)</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW-ASYDboF_5Mcavsf9Q6O0mlySPMMm4sy36R7UfborGgmD1PAC39pxzcncvT6qb8cqgUnY-XSMLaVLtmgXcTfYBdIf79BKubyDG4xnAtGzLBvktI9hnCbTOT57lwAiClu48xGyI4Fto/s1600/rearwindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW-ASYDboF_5Mcavsf9Q6O0mlySPMMm4sy36R7UfborGgmD1PAC39pxzcncvT6qb8cqgUnY-XSMLaVLtmgXcTfYBdIf79BKubyDG4xnAtGzLBvktI9hnCbTOT57lwAiClu48xGyI4Fto/s320/rearwindow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Grace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Speaking
of Jimmy Stewart, he plays the central role in what I think is the most directorially
creative film on this list, and also partly the titular inspiration for this
blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Window</i>, a temporarily wheelchair-bound photographer progressively
pieces together a crime that is taking place in his apartment complex, which he
does from his bedroom window, through binoculars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
apartment complex takes on a life of its own through Jeff’s binoculars, as he
observes the somewhat odd behaviors of all his neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitchcock lets the audience experience the
voyeurism as Jeff does, through the lens of his binoculars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know any more about the characters
he is witnessing than he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
makes the film so much fun to watch, and it provides the suspense necessary for
any good Hitchcock film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Grace
Kelly plays Jimmy Stewart’s love interest, and I can say without hesitation
that it is the most stunningly beautiful that anyone has ever looked on
celluloid (I checked with the wifey—she agrees with me, so no offense taken
from her).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d7lFsPrzSUOXmefeoAIvMyubUFrlH9iVlGbWe3bk4IsubpDJliMUa1pVDQ_xbnDrKmGK7JxZt4BEB9wU40piWCHDnDsMQaPxYzkqqCg2QO7_gww__v_4wz2Kf7a8bvtp6-GcgDXpM-U/s1600/rebecca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d7lFsPrzSUOXmefeoAIvMyubUFrlH9iVlGbWe3bk4IsubpDJliMUa1pVDQ_xbnDrKmGK7JxZt4BEB9wU40piWCHDnDsMQaPxYzkqqCg2QO7_gww__v_4wz2Kf7a8bvtp6-GcgDXpM-U/s1600/rebecca.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Rebecca</i> (1940)</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
The
only Hitchcock film to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, this flick
based on Daphne Du Maurier’s novel of the same title uses one of Hitchcock’s
ongoing themes in his films: the mysteriousness, and haunting nature of women
(more on that in my #1 film).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
particular film concerns a young woman (Joan Fontaine) who marries a rich widower
(Laurence Olivier, who’s great as always) and moves out to his mansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she gets there, she finds that the
memory and ghost of her husband’s dead wife is maintaining a strong and
paranormal grip on the house and its servants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The performance here that is normally singled out is Judith Anderson,
who plays a creepy-as-hell housekeeper bent on making things a bit, shall we
say, “difficult” for the new resident of the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><b>1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Vertigo</i> (1958)</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
I
have to admit bias at the outset for the coming gushing over this film, since
it sits comfortably inside my personal top 10 of all time list at #8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is much to gush over here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jimmy Stewart’s all-time best performance,
he plays Scottie, a former detective who is contracted to do some private
investigation work, tracing the wife of an old schoolmate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After saving her when she falls into the San
Francisco Bay, he slowly begins to fall in love with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give away much more of the plot would
necessitate spoilers, but the story that ensues is one of passion, obsession, a
bit of voyeurism, and even paranormal, and it is all packaged inside the box of
one of Hitchcock’s standard thrillers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9QOA1jzJExuYab1wQ0cpXBbZehSNszZVpxdRx3u7Yb9NPn0DkF2Rpfy3ZhSCc2IwtneDnb68BSgGFU5Nl_sS_hz5kFAiKTVLQs2BjxjOZVt2BsiBxd02xsWaL-F-AsFkyUvNtZrW4yQ/s1600/hitchcock_vertigo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9QOA1jzJExuYab1wQ0cpXBbZehSNszZVpxdRx3u7Yb9NPn0DkF2Rpfy3ZhSCc2IwtneDnb68BSgGFU5Nl_sS_hz5kFAiKTVLQs2BjxjOZVt2BsiBxd02xsWaL-F-AsFkyUvNtZrW4yQ/s400/hitchcock_vertigo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s not difficult to
make the case for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vertigo</i> being the
#1 film on any Hitchcock list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot,
much like the title implies, is off-kilter and eccentric, which is probably why
it was not well received at the time, and failed to make much money at the box
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a fascinating and
genius 20-minute sequence near the beginning of the film, in which Scottie
follows his subject around San Francisco (gorgeously shot by Hitchock, of course), containing almost zero dialogue and
using beautiful images, and a wide array of lighting and colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The use of color and light continues throughout the film to
capture the vibrancy of Judy, Scottie’s obsession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The video below encapsulates this perfectly
(which is not spoilery out of context) in one of my absolute favorite scenes in
film history (check out the corresponding screenshot in my banner at the top of
the blog). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vertigo </i>recently
toppled long-time champ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Citizen Kane</i>
and claimed the #1 spot on the Sight & Sound Poll, what I think is the most
prestigious film list out there, done once every ten years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All hail the Hitch. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tesqTwX7cpc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-58958232265438551792012-10-17T20:51:00.001-07:002012-10-17T20:51:36.734-07:00Review: Argo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-GBpju68PsQj0sDy5mxWbR9QZa7amX9ngJH-TwgsXa-41yKjFmdXfdl21s7NSanMnZmv8IJhgFYu7_JkdHz3bKg7fBcpcy0sPdw92-gRNzFWwL6pfmxKxdsYQhKgZ-JGrq85tx9b7us/s1600/argo-poster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-GBpju68PsQj0sDy5mxWbR9QZa7amX9ngJH-TwgsXa-41yKjFmdXfdl21s7NSanMnZmv8IJhgFYu7_JkdHz3bKg7fBcpcy0sPdw92-gRNzFWwL6pfmxKxdsYQhKgZ-JGrq85tx9b7us/s400/argo-poster1.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Argo</i> is the type of American film that
Hollywood sorely needs right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently there are only a small handful of directors, including David O. Russell,
Jason Reitman, Bennett Miller, and Tony Gilroy that are championing
conventional, well-made adult dramas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
Affleck’s first two films, he took on the crime genre, but with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Argo</i> I hope we can add him to the list
of directors above. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now don’t get me
wrong, we all know I love auteurs like Malick, the Coens, and Tarantino, as
much as anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the new frontier
of superhero franchises and animated 3D films, it’s nice to know that major
studios will still throw a few dollars toward a down-the-middle political
drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m being naïve, but I’d
like to think there is a constituency of film-going adults out there that
appreciate being catered to every once in a while.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Set during
the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979-1980, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Argo
</i>is a declassified true subplot of that larger world event, in which six of
the U.S. diplomats escaped the Iranians and found shelter at the home of the
Canadian Ambassador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This all takes
place in the first scene of the film, and Affleck takes great care to make sure
this movie starts off strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
CIA finds out what has happened to the six Americans, operative Tony Mendez
(Affleck) devises a plan to pretend to be a Canadian film crew scouting for
locations in Iran, in order to retrieve the Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes for an entertaining second act
(Mendez engaging the help of Hollywood in order to make the film seem
legitimate) and an intense third act (retrieving the Americans).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdvBhoaMKvocs0BzcyNJjjvFhRxP2U1E_DC8GYwprHnu6vcuZU4IBK8wUvC1RM1QuLYybQEYIoX9ES9FHZYpMz3FvNF0-S1aGRw85nmaJYVSbLoshdmPP3f_tW6CLkT0mF2ZeFMg6ze0/s1600/091710affleck_t300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdvBhoaMKvocs0BzcyNJjjvFhRxP2U1E_DC8GYwprHnu6vcuZU4IBK8wUvC1RM1QuLYybQEYIoX9ES9FHZYpMz3FvNF0-S1aGRw85nmaJYVSbLoshdmPP3f_tW6CLkT0mF2ZeFMg6ze0/s320/091710affleck_t300.jpg" width="212" /></a>The
ensemble acting is probably the film’s best aspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between all of the hostages, the various CIA
and State Department employees, and the Hollywood producers, actors, etc.
involved, this was a large cast to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenes with crowded rooms of political
figures, intelligence operatives, or American diplomats had exactly the same
smart, fast-talking aura of political films from the time period in which the
film is set.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Alan
Arkin and John Goodman get to ham it up as a big-time Tinseltown producer and
makeup artist, respectively, and their performances are easily the best in the
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ben Affleck is serviceable, as he
was in The Town, but I wouldn’t say it was a good performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t mind if he cast himself in a
supporting role next go-around, as he has always been much better there than as
a leading man throughout his acting career.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Where
he does excel, however, is behind the camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The story is by no means full of “big” moments, and Affleck does not go
out of his way to add any unnecessary bravado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather, the film registers its impact in more organic ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is extremely intense in the simplest ways—conversations
in which Mendez must sell the legitimacy of the fake film to foreign officials
is an arm-rest clutching tightrope act; ditto a scene where Mendez drives a VW
bus through a rabid Iranian crowd in the streets of Tehran. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final act of making it through customs
under fake identities is similarly gripping, as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
A great third effort for Affleck, and I think we can now say has made the transition from merely "promising" to someone in his directorial prime. 8.5/10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375044775481638371.post-26959435357208314892012-10-02T17:40:00.000-07:002012-10-02T17:40:02.341-07:00Review: The Master
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I have unlocked, and discovered, a secret. A secret to
living in these bodies that we hold.”</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> -Lancaster Dodd, <i>The Master</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmEUUUxasy68tsgzBoxIo-BfK5x2EVSIdSjf8iLZBDLqpQvY1DqkD3RXttU7MKq6KSuLesqKkkUXCfrZ8l0mbS0qFX6K7jSSWC8UEsTVRrEUKcxUml1_giHCUenmwg1upFORgYBQf9us/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmEUUUxasy68tsgzBoxIo-BfK5x2EVSIdSjf8iLZBDLqpQvY1DqkD3RXttU7MKq6KSuLesqKkkUXCfrZ8l0mbS0qFX6K7jSSWC8UEsTVRrEUKcxUml1_giHCUenmwg1upFORgYBQf9us/s320/original.jpg" width="216" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) sprints across a foggy
cabbage patch, breathing heavily as he’s being chased, in a gorgeous tracking
shot that reminded me I was in the hands of a director who knows his way around
a camera. It isn’t totally clear how Freddie, a WWII Navy Veteran, ended up
there in the first place, or why he is running. But it doesn’t matter. He’s
running from himself as much as that particular situation. Over and over in <i>The
Master</i>, director Paul Thomas Anderson returns to a shot of the wake behind
a ship at sea, informing us of this aimlessness of character and narrative that
we are viewing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Skulking around on a pier somewhere, Freddie hops aboard a
boat, and wakes up the next morning after apparently blacking out from his own
brand of hooch. It is on board this vessel that he meets Lancaster Dodd
(Phillip Seymour Hoffman), the charismatic leader of a group loosely based on
Scientology but only referred to in the movie as “The Cause.” Dodd has clearly
taken interest in Freddie, and subjects Freddie to an intense round of
“processing,” an exercise in which Freddie is forced to answer a series of
extremely personal questions without blinking, designed to force the subject
into an intense self-examination. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvpWFdLS-s1s-AHgJYwfU18qZGgv5KBZNEqie9omqBS2yCtYuWxhrqvyWZVM6pKbPf6VOSp4sRv62PBJQCoN4UNZUjaV82VnDmYfcFA1uQntd3rfAWXeAbCfierU58-rcN_wSPb9FpGc/s1600/The-Master-Joaquin-Phoenix-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvpWFdLS-s1s-AHgJYwfU18qZGgv5KBZNEqie9omqBS2yCtYuWxhrqvyWZVM6pKbPf6VOSp4sRv62PBJQCoN4UNZUjaV82VnDmYfcFA1uQntd3rfAWXeAbCfierU58-rcN_wSPb9FpGc/s320/The-Master-Joaquin-Phoenix-21.jpg" width="219" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not really a spiritual group as much as a metaphysically and
philosophically based group, The Cause is nevertheless used by Anderson as a
treatise on religion (which, surprisingly, is not depicted nearly as poorly as
one would imagine). Anderson has treaded religious ground before. In <i>There
Will Be Blood</i>, his previous film, Anderson uses an oil tycoon and a rural
church minister to explore both the competing and similar interests of American
capitalism and religion. In <i>The Master</i>, there is a similar struggle
between competing forces: man’s individuality and instinctual nature, versus
his need for control and purpose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas
in <i>There Will Be Blood</i>, the competing interests exploit each other to
gain an advantage, here the two men both desperately want something that the
other has.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is this symbiotic give-and-take relationship upon which
the film plants its flag and explores its themes. To that end, a quick word on
the acting. This is, to me, the best all around acting in a film since...I
don’t even know, probably <i>Sideways </i>in 2004 or even before that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joaquin Phoenix is the best he’s ever been,
giving a performance that is threatening, physical, and altogether
unpredictable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoffman’s foil to
Phoenix, however, is on a completely different level (for me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the epitome of a controlled
performance; yet he is also charismatic, gregarious, and just mysterious enough
to make you question his motives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a performance that will stick with me for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy Adams gives a similarly restrained
performance as the woman behind the man, and she probably won’t receive much
Oscar love for it, but it deserves to be rewarded nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbDycO-rfB8zWO_8LNWVObqe4HtoOpwduR0O5RWYThgZrzEIa8Nx62oxbl9D8lhtNUApa0Nm_vddRyNqvvzncoOy6FR0ER0-YkDSgPigKdtKw2xW_RYvh3PXbx9GwT9bjDMRbL5Ngc9I/s1600/the-master-movie-poster-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbDycO-rfB8zWO_8LNWVObqe4HtoOpwduR0O5RWYThgZrzEIa8Nx62oxbl9D8lhtNUApa0Nm_vddRyNqvvzncoOy6FR0ER0-YkDSgPigKdtKw2xW_RYvh3PXbx9GwT9bjDMRbL5Ngc9I/s400/the-master-movie-poster-28.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The film never really explores what The Cause is really all
about, and, although this is somewhat unsatisfying for the viewer, it is
purposely left ambiguous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For how often
do our own religions, “causes” which we are knowledgeable of, leave us grasping
for answers at times? One who claims to fully understand the metaphysical or spiritual
realms of the universe we live in is either truly ignorant, or a fraud (like
Dodd?). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, then, is the irony in Dodd’s
quote at the top and in many of his hollow methods and doctrines throughout the
film. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbDycO-rfB8zWO_8LNWVObqe4HtoOpwduR0O5RWYThgZrzEIa8Nx62oxbl9D8lhtNUApa0Nm_vddRyNqvvzncoOy6FR0ER0-YkDSgPigKdtKw2xW_RYvh3PXbx9GwT9bjDMRbL5Ngc9I/s1600/the-master-movie-poster-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nevertheless, there are a couple of scenes in particular
that do go into detail about The Cause, containing excellent exchanges dialogue
and debate. If I have one criticism of the film, it is that it the script is
much sharper when it is exploring ideas rather than characters. But it is not
meant to be sharp; it is meant to be visceral and raw, which it succeeds in
mightily. This struggle is summed up in what is the most revealing line of dialogue in the film, as Dodd tells Freddie “If you figure out a way to live without a master, any master, be sure to let the rest of us know, for you would be the first in the history of the world.” Dodd, in a way, is right—no one has ever lived without a master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could it be, though, the only Master we ever truly serve is our own selves? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
adamsrearwindowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816287366307089286noreply@blogger.com1