Used to be that when Oscar night rolled around I had viewed every (or almost every) movie that had been nominated in the major categories. I prided myself on keeping up with these things.Well, times have changed. Movies aren’t all that accessible for me anymore. In fact, to see any movie I must make a lengthy trek. This year, I decided I would do just that.
First, with no drive involved (I love you, Netflix!) I watched Frozen River. What a great performance. Melissa Leo, I loved you on Homicide: Life On the Street, I heard you were great on All My Children – so I wasn’t at all surprised at how you hit it out of the park in this gem of a movie. Everyone should be renting this DVD.
A few days later I took a drive to see Slumdog Millionaire. Everything I'd heard was true. Do believe the hype!
I absolutely loved Slumdog Millionaire. What a fresh and innovative take on a classic story (two brothers each taking a different path due to their circumstances)… I thought the performances were great and the direction/cinematography were pretty flawless. I have been a Boyle fan for some time and was interested to find out how he shared the directing job (still don’t know enough about this). I also really liked Dev Patel.
I’d just been watching him in his BBC series called Skins, which is also pretty amazing.
I thought it was weird when they finally kissed and Latika said something along the lines of, “I thought we’d only be together in death” I wanted to yell at the screen that they were --- Salim’s death!
Later that day I saw The Reader
I didn’t know a lot about the story, and I never read the book. This movie was
definitely worth it. Kate W. is amazing. Much like Melissa Leo in Frozen River, she never falls into sentiment. I loved the story and was swept away more than I would’ve guessed. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have chosen to see it if I had heard a lot about the story. I am really bummed that I didn’t get to see Revolutionary Road, but I can easily say that I believe that Ms. Titanic earned her nomination and accolades. Like any good art, this movie leaves you thinking and asking tough questions.
I’d just been watching him in his BBC series called Skins, which is also pretty amazing.I thought it was weird when they finally kissed and Latika said something along the lines of, “I thought we’d only be together in death” I wanted to yell at the screen that they were --- Salim’s death!
Later that day I saw The Reader
I didn’t know a lot about the story, and I never read the book. This movie was
definitely worth it. Kate W. is amazing. Much like Melissa Leo in Frozen River, she never falls into sentiment. I loved the story and was swept away more than I would’ve guessed. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have chosen to see it if I had heard a lot about the story. I am really bummed that I didn’t get to see Revolutionary Road, but I can easily say that I believe that Ms. Titanic earned her nomination and accolades. Like any good art, this movie leaves you thinking and asking tough questions.A few days later I woke up and wanted more film. So, I drove back down south and took in three (!) more nominated flicks. I am so glad that I did!
First up was Milk. I knew the story and had seen some documentaries about Harvey Milk over the years. However, I was still blown away. Gus Vansant is pretty f-in amazing. Talk about being transported by the illusion (What, your high school drama teacher didn't use that phrase?)! Whoa mama, Gus puts you there. He does this great job of incorporating real footage while making you absolutely forget that his cast is acting. Sean Penn isn’t Sean Penn anymore (same for Emile Hirsch, Brolin, Cross, Pill, etc.). Even though we all know the ending going in, it doesn’t matter at all. This movie is really the whole package. I am probably naive (bigots never have any idea that they're bigoted, eh?) but I would like to think that watching this movie might make people think about what equality really means in our country.
Later on I viewed Gran Torino. This was definitely another exceptionally well done story. Eastwood should have been nominated for his performance. The story itself is great. This is another movie/performance that easily could’ve veered off into sentimentality (and, I guess, it does a bit) but plays it true to the characters. In fact, I felt like Gran Torino, The Reader, and Frozen River were all what real character studies should be. Gran Torino could easily have been another ‘hood movie, but it was so much more.
First up was Milk. I knew the story and had seen some documentaries about Harvey Milk over the years. However, I was still blown away. Gus Vansant is pretty f-in amazing. Talk about being transported by the illusion (What, your high school drama teacher didn't use that phrase?)! Whoa mama, Gus puts you there. He does this great job of incorporating real footage while making you absolutely forget that his cast is acting. Sean Penn isn’t Sean Penn anymore (same for Emile Hirsch, Brolin, Cross, Pill, etc.). Even though we all know the ending going in, it doesn’t matter at all. This movie is really the whole package. I am probably naive (bigots never have any idea that they're bigoted, eh?) but I would like to think that watching this movie might make people think about what equality really means in our country.
Later on I viewed Gran Torino. This was definitely another exceptionally well done story. Eastwood should have been nominated for his performance. The story itself is great. This is another movie/performance that easily could’ve veered off into sentimentality (and, I guess, it does a bit) but plays it true to the characters. In fact, I felt like Gran Torino, The Reader, and Frozen River were all what real character studies should be. Gran Torino could easily have been another ‘hood movie, but it was so much more.
Speaking of character studies, I have a friend who claims that is why she loved The Wrestler so much. I disagreed with her. Yes, the performances in The Wrestler were great. I, however, found the story a bit disappointing. I guess I've come to expect a bit more from Darren Aronofsky. I think that maybe if he'd been the writer I wouldn't have found the story so predictable.
One move that wasn't at all predictable, in my opinion, was Doubt. Doubt is another must-see. Amazing performances that are heightened by great direction and cinematography. Again, a movie that you'll be thinking about long after your popcorn is gone.
Straight from Gran Torino I went to Frost/Nixon. Perfomances! Wow! Frank Langella is Nixon. How easy it would have been to imitate or caricaturize him (Oliver Platt does that well in the movie!) -- Langella becomes the president. It is a brilliant piece. The guy who plays Frost (I can’t think of the actor’s name) is also great. Like Milk, this film takes full advantage of a documentary style (though I don’t believe any real footage was used) to tell an engaging story. Patty McCormick plays Pat Nixon – I am sure it was the makeup, but boy does she look old! In my brain (also old and wrinkled!) she's still on that dock in the lightning storm!
All-in-all I am so glad that I spent ten hours or so driving to see these movies. I don’t envy any of the Academy voters – there is quite an embarrassment of riches out there. I wish I could’ve seen Revolutionary Road and The Visitor, but I guess I’ll have to wait for DVD on those.
Straight from Gran Torino I went to Frost/Nixon. Perfomances! Wow! Frank Langella is Nixon. How easy it would have been to imitate or caricaturize him (Oliver Platt does that well in the movie!) -- Langella becomes the president. It is a brilliant piece. The guy who plays Frost (I can’t think of the actor’s name) is also great. Like Milk, this film takes full advantage of a documentary style (though I don’t believe any real footage was used) to tell an engaging story. Patty McCormick plays Pat Nixon – I am sure it was the makeup, but boy does she look old! In my brain (also old and wrinkled!) she's still on that dock in the lightning storm!
All-in-all I am so glad that I spent ten hours or so driving to see these movies. I don’t envy any of the Academy voters – there is quite an embarrassment of riches out there. I wish I could’ve seen Revolutionary Road and The Visitor, but I guess I’ll have to wait for DVD on those.
No comments:
Post a Comment