Captain Phillips - 9 stars out of 10
While “Captain Phillips” isn’t the strongest candidate for Best Picture in this year’s Oscars, it is a noteworthy film that has earned its nomination. The same stereotype comes to all of our minds when we think of pirates but this film creates an entirely new perception of piracy in the modern world. While the accuracy of Richard Phillips’ heroism during the hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama has been questioned, the fascination of this story does not rely solely on Phillips. I know that everybody is up in arms about Tom Hanks being left out of the Oscar nominations but I agree with the Academy. Don’t get me wrong, his performance in the final 10 minutes of this film was nothing short of remarkable but the other two hours of the film was the subtle acting that is necessary for this sort of story. But once you reach that final ten minutes, the disillusionment, confusion, shock, and emotional breakdown of Hanks will make your heart skip a few beats. What makes this film great is actually the script and the unfolding of the story, revealing the world of Phillips and the world of the Somalians before creating a collision of these opposing lifestyles. While all of the acting is good, I don’t understand the Best Supporting Actor nomination for Barkhad Abdi (thank goodness this isn’t a video review – I would’ve never been able to pronounce that correctly). His acting was impressive but I feel like the nomination is a result of it being “different” instead of amazing. He does have my respect for being such a powerful presence in his debut film (and with so much acting maturity at such a young age, only 8 days older than me!); however, I would have much rather seen Chris Cooper get the nomination for his incredible monologue in “August: Osage County.” “Captain Phillips” is destined to win at least one Oscar and it deserves that acknowledgement in a year that produced so many strong films.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Lee Daniels' The Butler - 8 stars out of 10
Lee Daniels' The Butler - 8 stars out of 10
“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” is entirely unique. This creative script delivers a history lesson on the Civil Rights Movement from a perspective within the White House. That being said, this film is not a biopic of Eugene Allen (renamed Cecil Gaines in the film). It is full of historical inaccuracies about the main character but uses him as a focal point around which the events of the Civil Rights Movement are told. The film packs an awesome amount of history into 2-hours, spanning the White House administrations from Eisenhower to Reagan and highlights events like the Nashville sit-ins, KKK attacks, and the development of the Black Panthers. Although it is surprising that this film was completed snubbed by the Academy, the acting was not at the level that I expected. The exceptions were Forest Whitaker as he played one character over the course of 50+ years, Oprah’s emotional moments (which were the biggest Oscar snub), and David Oyelowo as the main character’s (historically nonexistent) son. I like Terrence Howard but he wasn’t in enough of the film to leave an impression. The biggest acting faux paux of this film was the use of big name actors in the roles of the presidents and first ladies. Instead of choosing lesser known actors that truly resemble these characters and could have added to the realism of this story, it turned into a bunch of cameos (including Robin Williams as… Dwight D. Eisenhower?) I found Nelsan Ellis’s performance as Martin Luther King, Jr. to be very effective. Imagine if the presidential interpretations were just as effective (instead of spending half of the movie thinking “I wonder who is going to play Reagan”). They really missed an opportunity to earn a Best Supporting Actor nomination. “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” may not have succeeded in the eyes of the Academy but it definitely has a place on my list of must-see movies due to its interesting script and interpretation of the Civil Rights Movement.
“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” is entirely unique. This creative script delivers a history lesson on the Civil Rights Movement from a perspective within the White House. That being said, this film is not a biopic of Eugene Allen (renamed Cecil Gaines in the film). It is full of historical inaccuracies about the main character but uses him as a focal point around which the events of the Civil Rights Movement are told. The film packs an awesome amount of history into 2-hours, spanning the White House administrations from Eisenhower to Reagan and highlights events like the Nashville sit-ins, KKK attacks, and the development of the Black Panthers. Although it is surprising that this film was completed snubbed by the Academy, the acting was not at the level that I expected. The exceptions were Forest Whitaker as he played one character over the course of 50+ years, Oprah’s emotional moments (which were the biggest Oscar snub), and David Oyelowo as the main character’s (historically nonexistent) son. I like Terrence Howard but he wasn’t in enough of the film to leave an impression. The biggest acting faux paux of this film was the use of big name actors in the roles of the presidents and first ladies. Instead of choosing lesser known actors that truly resemble these characters and could have added to the realism of this story, it turned into a bunch of cameos (including Robin Williams as… Dwight D. Eisenhower?) I found Nelsan Ellis’s performance as Martin Luther King, Jr. to be very effective. Imagine if the presidential interpretations were just as effective (instead of spending half of the movie thinking “I wonder who is going to play Reagan”). They really missed an opportunity to earn a Best Supporting Actor nomination. “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” may not have succeeded in the eyes of the Academy but it definitely has a place on my list of must-see movies due to its interesting script and interpretation of the Civil Rights Movement.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
August: Osage County - 10 stars out of 10
August: Osage County - 10 stars out of 10
Just when you thought that Meryl Streep couldn’t get any better, "August: Osage County" appeared. This may be her most impressive performance ever. Her character shows so many different sides and Streep delivers each with perfection, from the high anxiety of the dinner scene to her devastating childhood revelation to her daughters. The likelihood of the Academy giving Streep a fourth Oscar and tying her with Katharine Hepburn’s record for most Oscars is miniscule, but if any performance was ever worthy of such an enormous statement, it is this one. I think that this is the time for the Academy to acknowledge Meryl Streep as one of the two greatest actresses of all time. It will be robbery for anybody else to receive this award, even after Sandra Bullock delivered such an incredible performance in “Gravity”. This is her unprecedented eighteenth Oscar nomination over the past thirty-five years (yes, that’s a nomination every other year for a third of a century) and it is pointless to deny that she deserves a fourth Oscar.
Words cannot express how much I loved "August: Osage County," but this is my best attempt. Aside from Meryl Streep’s beyond-noteworthy performance, “August: Osage County” has a lot to talk about. Its script is an adaptation of a Pulitzer-prize winning play and the script delivers that unique sense of the stage, relying on strong acting instead of impressive scenery and special effects. This is the definition of “ensemble cast,” affording each star an opportunity to display acting of the highest level. Everybody is talking about Julia Roberts’ performance and she was very good, but the person that really stood out to me was Chris Cooper. After establishing a very passive personality, he delivers one of the most impassioned monologues that I have ever heard. The characters are well written as the contrast of Juliette Lewis and Julianne Nicholson enhances the strong personality of Julia Roberts. Add in Benedict Cumberbatch (great monologue of insecurity), Ewan McGregor (not his best acting), Abigail Breslin, and Margo Martindale (almost as detestable as when she played the mother in “Million Dollar Baby”) and you have an awesome variety of personalities and ways of delivering emotions. The script is laced with f-words but they work in this high-tension plot. Most importantly, the events of the story transform each character and send them home with a new perspective. Also, there are some awesome jaw-dropping surprises that all hit in waves of three or four shocks at once. I think that this film deserved a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, amidst other things. “August: Osage County” is one of the best films of 2013 and should not be passed over on your quest to see all of the Oscar nominees this year.
Just when you thought that Meryl Streep couldn’t get any better, "August: Osage County" appeared. This may be her most impressive performance ever. Her character shows so many different sides and Streep delivers each with perfection, from the high anxiety of the dinner scene to her devastating childhood revelation to her daughters. The likelihood of the Academy giving Streep a fourth Oscar and tying her with Katharine Hepburn’s record for most Oscars is miniscule, but if any performance was ever worthy of such an enormous statement, it is this one. I think that this is the time for the Academy to acknowledge Meryl Streep as one of the two greatest actresses of all time. It will be robbery for anybody else to receive this award, even after Sandra Bullock delivered such an incredible performance in “Gravity”. This is her unprecedented eighteenth Oscar nomination over the past thirty-five years (yes, that’s a nomination every other year for a third of a century) and it is pointless to deny that she deserves a fourth Oscar.
Words cannot express how much I loved "August: Osage County," but this is my best attempt. Aside from Meryl Streep’s beyond-noteworthy performance, “August: Osage County” has a lot to talk about. Its script is an adaptation of a Pulitzer-prize winning play and the script delivers that unique sense of the stage, relying on strong acting instead of impressive scenery and special effects. This is the definition of “ensemble cast,” affording each star an opportunity to display acting of the highest level. Everybody is talking about Julia Roberts’ performance and she was very good, but the person that really stood out to me was Chris Cooper. After establishing a very passive personality, he delivers one of the most impassioned monologues that I have ever heard. The characters are well written as the contrast of Juliette Lewis and Julianne Nicholson enhances the strong personality of Julia Roberts. Add in Benedict Cumberbatch (great monologue of insecurity), Ewan McGregor (not his best acting), Abigail Breslin, and Margo Martindale (almost as detestable as when she played the mother in “Million Dollar Baby”) and you have an awesome variety of personalities and ways of delivering emotions. The script is laced with f-words but they work in this high-tension plot. Most importantly, the events of the story transform each character and send them home with a new perspective. Also, there are some awesome jaw-dropping surprises that all hit in waves of three or four shocks at once. I think that this film deserved a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, amidst other things. “August: Osage County” is one of the best films of 2013 and should not be passed over on your quest to see all of the Oscar nominees this year.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Prisoners (2013) - 8 stars out of 10
Prisoners (2013) - 8 stars out of 10
“Prisoners” is totally messed up. This shocking story of abduction, devastation, and brutal torture contains several mysteries that all tie together in the end. Its content seems like it belongs in a late-summer thriller but it works well in this Oscar-caliber drama. The script is well written, introducing important facts at all of the right times, making you think that you have it all figured out, and then keeping you (and all of the characters) guessing until the very end. I found an internal battle forming within myself as I didn’t want Paul Dano to be guilty but hoped that he was simply so that I wouldn’t feel bad about him enduring all of that torture. Dano is an underrated actor with impressive roles in “Being Flynn,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” and “Ruby Sparks” on his resume. It may seem like he does not do much acting as Alex Jones but playing a role that communicates through body language instead of spoken dialogue requires a refined skill. Hugh Jackman is good but sometimes it just felt like we needed a break from his overwhelming amount of anger. The supporting roles are the most impressive as Maria Bello creates some nice emotional moments when the depression overwhelms her and she becomes dependant on pills to keep her numb. Plus Terrence Howard and Viola Davis bring another dynamic to the torture scenes as they take on the “good cop” roles. The real feature in this film is Melissa Leo, nearly unrecognizable as Holly Jones who progressively reveals layers of her life throughout the film. You’ll never see the end coming although you’ll want to see the end of the torture arrive much earlier than it does. There is something twisted about “Prisons” but that might be what makes the film so dreadfully attractive.
“Prisoners” is totally messed up. This shocking story of abduction, devastation, and brutal torture contains several mysteries that all tie together in the end. Its content seems like it belongs in a late-summer thriller but it works well in this Oscar-caliber drama. The script is well written, introducing important facts at all of the right times, making you think that you have it all figured out, and then keeping you (and all of the characters) guessing until the very end. I found an internal battle forming within myself as I didn’t want Paul Dano to be guilty but hoped that he was simply so that I wouldn’t feel bad about him enduring all of that torture. Dano is an underrated actor with impressive roles in “Being Flynn,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” and “Ruby Sparks” on his resume. It may seem like he does not do much acting as Alex Jones but playing a role that communicates through body language instead of spoken dialogue requires a refined skill. Hugh Jackman is good but sometimes it just felt like we needed a break from his overwhelming amount of anger. The supporting roles are the most impressive as Maria Bello creates some nice emotional moments when the depression overwhelms her and she becomes dependant on pills to keep her numb. Plus Terrence Howard and Viola Davis bring another dynamic to the torture scenes as they take on the “good cop” roles. The real feature in this film is Melissa Leo, nearly unrecognizable as Holly Jones who progressively reveals layers of her life throughout the film. You’ll never see the end coming although you’ll want to see the end of the torture arrive much earlier than it does. There is something twisted about “Prisons” but that might be what makes the film so dreadfully attractive.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
The Virgin Suicides - 4 stars out of 10
The Virgin Suicides - 4 stars out of 10
"The Virgin Suicides" is an interesting 1970's period piece that screams “indie film.” Unfortunately, it also screams “Lifetime Original Movie.” The story itself is very interesting but the execution often misses its mark with melodramatic moments. The acting of Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, and Kathleen Turner is just good, not particularly standing out but getting the job done. The best acting of the film is Giovanni Ribisi’s narration. The script takes you from point A to point B but the film doesn’t really feel as if it goes anywhere. I wish that they would have incorporated the boys a little bit more but I do applaud the conclusion of the story as a mystery. In spite of the severe content, much of the movie does not carry an air of drama; instead, it just feels like time passing. I enjoyed this story and its surprises but I expected more emotion and empathy as the film flashed before my eyes without much impact.
"The Virgin Suicides" is an interesting 1970's period piece that screams “indie film.” Unfortunately, it also screams “Lifetime Original Movie.” The story itself is very interesting but the execution often misses its mark with melodramatic moments. The acting of Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, and Kathleen Turner is just good, not particularly standing out but getting the job done. The best acting of the film is Giovanni Ribisi’s narration. The script takes you from point A to point B but the film doesn’t really feel as if it goes anywhere. I wish that they would have incorporated the boys a little bit more but I do applaud the conclusion of the story as a mystery. In spite of the severe content, much of the movie does not carry an air of drama; instead, it just feels like time passing. I enjoyed this story and its surprises but I expected more emotion and empathy as the film flashed before my eyes without much impact.
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