2011 Oscars: Actor

A couple more guys who have already won the Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA awards will be looking to continue their hot streak heading into the Academy Awards. First let's look at the highly competitive Best Actor category.

BEST ACTOR
Javier Bardem, "Biutiful"
Jeff Bridges, "True Grit"
Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"
Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
James Franco, "127 Hours"

Colin Firth is going to win. And frankly his performance alone may vault this little British movie to Best Picture. More on that Saturday. Moving on.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale, "The Fighter"
John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"
Jeremy Renner, "The Town"
Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"
Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech"

Like any race it really comes down to two nominees. But all men deserve and did fantastic jobs in these roles. The only role I would even think to toss out is Mark Ruffalo, as he is out shined by his co stars and the rest of the men in the category. His character's laid back attitude doesn't really have enough pop to claim the night's award. Josh Hawkes and Jeremy Renner are both held back by the politicking of the event. For those who have not seen Winter's Bone, Uncle Tear Drop starts as frightening then evolves to sympathetic as the movie progresses, but unfortunately not too many people saw it, so he's out. It is tough to pull out the best part of The Town, but Renner was definitely the best actor in it. His character was great and his flirtations with anti-hero and villain stole the show but The Town received so few nominations that it would be unlikely many will vote for him. Worry not, this young actor will be nominated many more times before it is all said and done.

This leaves as always two actors left to fight it out. As I mentioned in my past reviews of both The Fighter and The King's Speech both men were fantastic and deserved awards for their performances. But since the last tie happened in 1969 this is highly unlikely. Christian Bale is the odds on favorite to win and it is completely justified. Bale has always been known to immerse himself in the role. His method acting has finally paid off as this bug eyed druggie both elevates and deflates his brother's boxing career. The entire audience felt the gamut of emotions as he was likable and hated in the same breath and that is what made him so interesting. His performance brings out the best of the other actors as they try to keep up with his energy. Much like Bale elevated the cast around him Colin Firth better remember to thank Geoffrey Rush for all the give and take in their performances. Rush provided the levity to Speech that was so desperately needed to give the film some heart. Bale's performance was the second best of his career (Patrick Bateman being the obvious best) and he deserves the statuette and should come out on top. But if anyone is going to play upset it will be the speech therapist.

What do you think, will the British men be taking away all of our gold with them across the pond or do you see someone else winning. Is it possible for the host to win the award? Let me know what you think. Tomorrow I will look at the director's which is historically one of the biggest precursors to who will win the night’s big award.

2011 Oscars: Actress

One would think that the lead actress role would be locked up by now, but some people in the industry are seeing a late surge that could change some voters’ minds late in the game. Before that let’s look at the supporting actress category.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, "The Fighter"
Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"
Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"
Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"
Jacki Weaver, "Animal Kingdom"

First let’s get a couple of these out of the way. The King's Speech is as patriarchal as you can get. This movie is all about the men, and while The Queen Mum has an important place in history, she had little or nothing to do in this film, so she's out. Not everyone takes their role of Academy voter as seriously as Sir Elton John so if there is a movie people are going to sit out it will probably be the Australian import Animal Kingdom. If you haven't had a chance this movie is definitely worth a spot on your Netflix queue. Then it comes down to two movies The Fighter and True Grit. Melissa Leo did fantastic in the movie and I thought her performance would go unnoticed behind that of Christian Bale but boy was I proven wrong with that. Melissa Leo has already won Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe gold for her performance as the selfish mother. She has been acting since the eighties and has paid her dues. But then comes along this little 14-year old girl to muck the whole thing up. Hailee Steinfeld not only held her own in True Grit but at times outshines two past Academy winners. One could argue that she isn't really a supporting actress but rather the lead with Jeff Bridges. I doubt she had much say in the whole thing as this is only her FIRST MOVIE (I think at 14 I was growing a mullet). Compound the fact that Melissa Leo took out ads for herself just as people were starting to talk about the kid. Put the performances next to each other and I think Hailee Steinfeld did more to help Jeff Bridges grow as a character than Melissa Leo did for Wahlberg. All the big blogs out there go with an upset pick. So I'm going with Hailee Steinfeld to upset the veteran actress.

BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"

This was supposed to be a lock, no one has been hotter than Natalie Portman and frankly that helps. Usually the Academy will deal out Oscar to the next big PYT (read: Hallie Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron). Natalie Portman has been steaming up the scene ever since The Professional (that's a joke people). She has gone from child actress, to blockbuster starlet, to indie queen and this Sunday she seems poised to grab the statuette. And rightfully so, the performance is frightening and the movie will stay with you long after you have left the theater. But recently there has been an upswing in support for Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right. Now I personally thought that Julianne Moore had the better performance in this movie, but this time Bening won't be competing against her co star because Moore was not nominated. While the Academy tends to not support comedy movies they do love gay movies, as one Hollywood observer noted "If you play gay or retarded you get an Oscar. I'd take in the ass for an Oscar." The now four-time nominated actress will eventually win the award, but this is not her night. Portman's performance is too captivating to go unrewarded plus Oscar also loves to break up marriages (read Hallie Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock). The recently engaged and knocked up Portman may walk away a winner Sunday, but the tabloids will make sure to bring her back down within a couple of years.

Tomorrow we'll look at the men. Who do you think will win for Best Actor (hint: it rhymes with Colin Mirth). What about this category, do you smell upset? Let me know what you think.

2011 Oscars: Writing

It's my favorite time of year. The time when my true elitism can come out and I can look at some artsy-fartsy movies and debate with fellow film lovers who deserve to win. Through the next week I'm going to look at each category. Let’s start with screenplay.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone

Besides Best Actor and Actress aside this is the biggest lock of the major awards. The Social Network won the Writer's Guild Award and it will no doubt win the Academy Award. The dialogue is fast paced and quick witted. The story moves fast and engages you the whole way through. All five films are extremely well written and interesting stories but the lightning pace of words that flow off the screen give The Social Network the clear edge. And the fact that Sorkin has never been nominated for an Oscar before, most notably for A Few Good Men is a mistake that the Academy will look to remedy. Count it.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Another Year
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King's Speech

When a movie is pegged as a favorite for best picture usually the voters will get swept away and just assume that this movie has the best everything. That is what will likely happen with The King's Speech this year. The story is extremely interesting but would often get looked over because of some of the other larger than life characters that came out of the Second World War But then that was it, no one was talking about it, and people would comment that Colin Firth was amazing but not really comment on the story. And frankly I hate considering movies based on real life events as an original screenplay. It was based on the story of King George VI and while still a slight exaggeration of history it was much more accurate than The Social Network which is in the adapted screenplay category, tell me how that makes sense. The movie that had everyone talking was Inception, the story was interesting, it had everyone engaged and while Nolan may have made it complicated for the sake of making it complicated people could not stop talking about it. And that fucking top. But people in the Academy hate Christopher Nolan and they have not hidden this fact, most notably with his snub as best director. Members of the Academy don't like awarding new comers and believe that there is a process and people need to earn the award through a career of work. Plus Nolan hasn't been campaigning, but rather working on the third Batman. Does Nolan deserve the award, I think so. Will he win, not a chance. The award will go to The King's Speech and later on in life we'll laugh about this.

Hopefully I'll be doing one of these a day until Oscar time. Let me know what you think of the writing category. Tomorrow I'll take a look at the women of the silver screen. Melissa Leo better put up one hell of a fight if she wants the award. Ah I love puns.

I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four is based on a young-adult novel that spent six weeks on the children's chapter of The New York Times Best Seller list. It is also the first part of a six book series. No wonder this book was snagged up to make a movie, I imagine all the producers heard was ka-ching. And with producer Michael Bay on board how could this not be a hit.

The movie is about a teenage outsider named John Smith, how outside, well he's from space. He and his eight other Lorien friends are being hunted down by another alien race called the Mogadorians. Three others have already been killed and he is next on the list.

It is never made apparent in the movie why they have to be killed in numerical order, or for that matter why these Mogadorians are hunting them down. I think they tried to explain it, but really it just boiled down to them being giant douche-bags because that's what they do, kill children. But I'd probably be pissed if I had weird gill things on the side of my nose too so I'll let it slide.

Once number three is killed John Smith is escorted out of Florida and on the move again to Paradise. Ohio that is. And there he meets the other hot outsider of the high school Sarah. She used to be a cheerleader, but now is into photography and as we all know photography is the kiss of death in your high school social life. But it was all a matter of time, because everyone knows that Sarah should be spelled without an H, but what do I know. He also manages to piss off the quarterback and befriends the school nerd.

Alex Pettyfer does a solid job as the lead character John Smith/Number 4. If I was going to cast a brooding alien teenager I would probably cast a former GAP model as well. He has already done quite a bit and while he may never reach the teen heartthrob level of Robert Pattinson he could definately become a Channing Tatum. I'm still not sure if any of that was a compliment or an insult.

The movie is at its best when it is dealing with issues of Puppy love. It does well with teenage angst and doesn't linger on it too long before it becomes annoying. Dianna Argon does a terrific job as the love interest. With a couple more roles like this one to prove she can be cutesy and create on scream chemistry, she is probably the most likely of the Glee kids to break out into the film industry. Hopefully not too fast, they still need to win at regionals.

They seemed to have the timing down for this movie, because just as I was starting to wonder when the action sequences were going to start our hero meets his villain. Kevin Durand plays our Mogadorian Commander and has become a staple in popcorn action movies. He plays this character a little over the top, but it's only a little annoying, as it appears he just seems to be having fun with the role. The action sequences are also over the top, but that is to be expected with Bay. Really the most out of place part is that our hero's hands can turn into flashlights. That super power is almost as lame as the kid on Captain Planer who got heart. It also probably explains why he feels the need to flick his hair back so often rather than go and be a tough guy.

Timothy Olyphant obviously does a stand out job as the guardian for number four. He takes over as the bad ass of the film, but his trademark style from Justified is toned down a little so that the kids could shine in this one. Which is unfortunate because if he had been allowed to let loose a little this could have proven to be a darker movie that maybe more of the adult crowd could get into.

But it was never going to be that movie, this movie was put out fast to grab a quick buck and tried to follow a formula. Take the teenage angst of the CW, add the action and love beats from Twilight, find people who love Abecrombie and Fitch, insert some major explosion and you should have a winner. Basically just focus on the aesthetics of the project and everything else should follow. They paid no heed to the overacting of some of the actors and the stale writing.

Thats not to say it is entirely bad, I actually enjoyed the movie. It reminded me a little of Smallville which is a guilty pleasure of mine. I should probably feel a little ashamed of watching it but the story is usually interesting and its trashy enough for me to enjoy it and then forget about it as soon as it's over. I imagine that is how most people will feel about this movie so I doubt we'll get a chance to see this franchise continue unless the box office numbers are staggering. B-

Biutiful

This movie isn't intended for people who plan to see Just Go With It or The Eagle. This movie is entrenched with misery and tragedy and followed by death. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu leaves nothing to chance in his effort to display tragedy of the human spirit. Everything about this movie from the characters to the environment is falling apart and there is little to do but sit there and be weighted down by people just trying to survive.

Inarritu tells the story of a Uxbal, a low level criminal who recently finds out he has very little time to live. He needs to get all his affairs in order and at the same time come to grips with the finality of his life. He also must provide for his young children all while his brother screws him over at work and his bipolar wife tries to reenter his home life. His life is a mess and he has very little time to fix it.

We are introduced to Uxbal as a man who can communicate with the dead, and ease the transition for both the deceased and the loved ones they leave behind. This story line is probably inserted to enforce the perception that no one knows how to properly face death. While it enriches the character, it adds nothing to the story. I understand why the director wanted to keep that part of the character in the movie, but it serves no purpose in advancing the story and even detracts a little from the character.

This is just one example of the clutter that is involved with the movie. We also see juxtapositions between deported African dealers and imported Chinese slave labor. His detached nature from his father, wife, and brother while at the same time trying to leave a lasting legacy and protection for his children. It seems that not only is Uxbal trying to do too much in a short amount of time, but those behind the scenes are trying to jam so much social commentary that it all seems forced. Inarritu is trying to weigh the audience down with the tragedies that occur in the third world, but because he is trying to say too much, it's tough to hear any of his message.

The messenger and mouthpiece of all this tragedy helps to grab the audience and keep them engaged while everything else around the story seems overwhelming. Javier Bardem is in his comfort zone when tragic conditions look to envelop his character. The look in his eyes can tell you everything you need to know about him. He is not evil, although involved in some underhanded schemes to make money, you never question the morality of the character, although you probably should. He does all he can to do right by the people around him and still tragedy and suffering follow him wherever he goes. Bardem owns the role and carries the film on his shoulders. His character is heart wrenchingly devastating, and draws you into the story even when it seems to be trying too hard.

The scenes with his children as he prepares them for his departure may be the most touching moments. He does all he can to create lasting memories so that he will be remembered unlike his own father who he is quick to dig up and make a quick buck off of. But instead some of those scenes seem to just get lost in the clutter of the story. Inarritu has a tendency to overload his story with movies like Babel coming to mind.

Really the tragedy of the film is that it does not achieve its desired effect. Had it not been for Bardem who shoots this movie into the academy awards it would have just been lost in the other art house films that are out now. C+

127 Hours

A true story, that had only started to fade from our memory was brought back to our attention by James Franco and Danny Boyle and is now up for a couple of awards. 127 Hours tells the story of Aron Ralston, a 27-year old climber, who trapped his right arm between a boulder and the wall of a small slot canyon in the vast Arizona desert. While your choice to go to this movie or to stay away may be based on the climax, you would be foolish to judge this movie on that scene alone.

When this story first emerged I doubt anyone thought to themselves, wow i can't wait for them to make a movie out of this. It's about a guy who is trapped in one spot for five days. How does one even make an interesting movie about that. Luckily for the audience Danny Boyle was brought into the fold, and he loves to use interesting landscapes, different camera angles, and many flashbacks.

It all starts with the script. James Franco's monologues seem so genuine, I have never been in a situation that I felt my life was in danger like Ralston, but I still find myself thinking and talking to myself in the same way as the protagonist. It speaks to the writers on just how realistic this all feels. His regrets, his joys, the moments in his life he kept reliving as he was put through hell, are all things anyone can relate to which makes the fear much more intense.

James Franco does a great job with the character. He leaves little doubt as to why he was nominated for an academy award. Franco uses his charm and enthusiasm to embody the climbers love of life and all things nature. But within the same film he is able to slow himself down and take a look inward as the character understands his own hubris and choices led him to this moment and this situation. It is a very sobering fact to realize that everything you have done has led you to the problems that face you. With nothing but time and his thoughts, Franco is really able to delve into the character's psyche and examine himself.

Even though it is the moment everyone in the theater is waiting the climax of the film takes up a relatively small amount of screen time. There have been much gorier scenes in movies past, what makes the scene is the knowledge that it actually happened. Even when screening this movie so late after its initial debut people were still wincing during the scene where he is breaking his own arm. While there are rumors of people passing out during the initial screenings, the scene is handled well. It does not look to overboard with the violence but really it is the way the scene is put together that makes you flex your own arm to make sure you still have the use of it.

The movie isn't just about being physically stuck, it's a psychological study of what one must do when put in such a situation. So many movies about people being trapped in get it wrong when they focus on the physical conditions, when really the story is about whether you have the will to do all that is necessary to continue living life. That is a challenging inward examination tied in with some nerve-cutting intensity. This movie is tough to watch, but certainly worth a look. A-

Blue Valentine

This movie was never going to have a happy ending, I knew that going in. All I kept hearing was that was the most depressing movie of all time. Knowing that I took this to be a classic who done it? Like most people I want a fall guy, I want to know what happened here. I want to know why these beautiful and crazy kids are doomed to fail.

Enter Ryan Gosling as the care-free Dean, i doubt he had too much going for him before this story starts and is not too worried about his future. While talented at many things he lacks any ambition and just enjoys the moment. His partner in crime is the recently nominated actress Michelle Williams as Cindy. She seems much more cynical, promiscuous, and is always looking ahead to accomplish more. While opposites may attract these two philosophies of life seem to be at odds in the film.

Dean found everything he needs in this little family, instantly making him the more likable character. He treats his daughter like a princess and shows her all the adoration she could ever need. But apparently The Beatles were wrong and a little bit more than love is needed. Cindy has grown into the woman she had to be to help the family survive as a middle-class family in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Dean is more immature and found a job that lets him drink in the middle of the day and be there for his family.

These two actors are constantly looking for challenging roles, and in this movie it appears they have found one. How does one portray, in a believable fashion, a six year difference where everything has changed, it would be too much and unbelievable to go from one extreme to another so rather they both rely on subtly, Williams more so. There also seems to be a lot of free riffing and improvisation such as the scene on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Gosling is experienced with this kind of acting as he has gone out of his way to find strong independent movies. He easily could be making boat loads of money with huge box office numbers but has always gone after meatier scripts. He plays this role well with a lot of professional experience. His couterpart Williams seems to draw her inspiration more from her own past. At the time this movie was supposed to be made Heath Ledger passed away and out of respect to her and her daughter they delayed shooting. Upon learning this you have to wonder if some of this life experience went into the performance. She rolled effortlessly into this role and played it with such quiet strength, while maybe not the more likable of the two, the performance is stunning.

Writer/director Derek Cianfrance wrote this story in 2006 and in two parts. He says the beginning is a love story and the ending is a tragedy, but this isn't split into two distinct halves. Rather the stories are spliced together using high def digital video for the present, while the beginning of the relationship (which is always a little fuzzy) is shot on 16-mm film. This story telling helps to accentuate each moment.

But what is never seen is the middle, what happened between these two moments that left these people like this. To the story those moments are not important, it's not important to place blame but rather an examination of how two people can meet and what little it takes to fall in and out of love. Still the effect it can leave on you is overwhelming.

Much like a real relationship both sides have their demons and both sides contribute to the end. It's frightening how truthful this movie feels to watch a couple just fall out of love. And Cianfrance doesn't show us his hand, he may lead us in certain directions, but we never see how Cindy and Dean have come to this point in their lives after overcoming so much. Much like in real life they never say where it all went wrong all we are left with are the biggest moments of any relationship, the beginning and end of it. A-