Oscars Wrap Up

Last night, the 85th Annual Academy Awards went off without a hitch. Seth McFarlane actually did a good job hosting. Aside from a short presentation by Ted (voiced by McFarlane) and Mark Wahlberg, there were no voices or references to any of his work. By now you have heard about Jennifer Lawrence's tumble, the entire cast of Les Miserables singing on stage, and Michelle Obama announcing Argo as Best Picture Winner. It was a night full of great speeches, outstanding musical numbers, and incredible pieces of work being honored by The Academy. Here are my thoughts on the outcome of the awards.

The last award of the evening is the Best Picture award. This will be the first award I will discuss. I pegged Lincoln as the winner here because I fully anticipated an award sweep. I was incorrect in my assumption. Argo ended up nabbing Best Picture even though Affleck was snubbed for a Best Director nomination. Unless I am mistaken, I believe that the Best Picture award generally goes to the film that was directed by the Best Director winner. This year, that was an impossibility. On some levels I feel that The Academy realized their gaff and awarded Affleck indirectly by selecting Argo as Best Picture. If this is the case, then Ang Lee's win for Best Director for Life of Pie feels empty. Lee has won for Best Director before with Brokeback Mountain but ultimately lost the Best Picture award to Crash. In any case, I am happy for Affleck and the rest of the cast and crew because Argo was definitely one of the best films of the year.

The award for Best Adapted Screenplay went to Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained and I am truly happy about that. Tarantino makes some of the most innovative films of my generation and I feel he doesn't get enough credit. It was refreshing to see The Academy award the most unique film of the year. In this case, my prediction and my desired winner were one and the same and I was correct. Best Adapted Screenplay went to Argo which was one of my desired winners so I am happy about that as well.

Best Supporting Actor went to my favorite foreign actor and that is Christoph Waltz. In my predictions I said that Philip Seymour Hoffman could win but I wanted Robert DeNiro to get it. My thought process in choosing DeNiro over Waltz was this: I want to see DeNiro take more roles like the one he played in Silver Linings Playbook. I feel that had he won the award, he would be more apt to do so. That being said, I wanted Waltz to win above all. He brings such life to the characters he portrays. Hans Landa made me shiver with fear because he was so ruthless and Dr. King Schultz had me cheering because of his compassion. His acceptance speech had me in tears because he was so genuine. I really believe that Waltz enjoys making films and he truly appreciates what Tarantino does for films.

Christoph Waltz acceptance speech for Best... by dm_512b00eed8f81
Tarantino has a camp of very talented people and I know they were all happy for Waltz's win. Best Supporting Actress went to Anne Hathaway. She was a favorite to win, and I figured she would, but I thought perhaps Sally Field would edge her out. I really would've liked to see Jacki Weaver win but Hathaway's win is ok with me.

Best Leading Actor went to, surprise, Daniel Day-Lewis. I like Day-Lewis; I really do. I have no doubt that he was exceptional in Lincoln but I would've liked to see Bradley Cooper win. His role in Silver Linings Playbook is SO different from anything he's ever done so it would've been an encouragement for him to seek out these roles. Best Leading Actress went to Jennifer Lawrence and I am ecstatic about that. She was my prediction and my desired winner so I couldn't be happier.

Pixar won the award for Best Animated Feature with Brave and nobody was surprised. Pixar is the Daniel Day-Lewis of animation studios. I predicted Brave to win but it would have been nice to see Tim Burton awarded for FrankenWeenie. I enjoyed Wreck-It-Ralph a lot more than Brave and I felt that it was one of the weakest pictures to come from Disney in a while. Best Animated Short went to Paperman which played before Brave. I couldn't see any other short winning because it was just that good. See it here:


All in all, the night's winners made sense and there were no real surprises (except for Seth McFarlane doing a good job hosting). I look forward to the Oscars every year and this year was a lot of fun. There were no real undeserved winners which makes the Awards retain their legitimacy. Here's to another year of great movies!

Silent House

Silent House (2011)
Directed by: Chris Kentis and Laura Lau
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 44%

When I saw the trailer for Silent House I was intrigued. It looked like many of the other horror films that had come out recently (see: Paranormal Activity) but there was something unique about it. I couldn't quite place what it was but I knew that I wanted to see it. I then promptly forgot about it. I don't typically watch horror films because they are boring to me. I used to be deathly afraid of anything remotely scary (I couldn't watch Unsolved Mysteries at night let alone here the theme music). Something clicked with me when I was in high school. I saw the remake of the Amityville Horror and laughed all the way through. This was the first horror movie I had ever seen where I simply was not afraid of what I was seeing. I then went and purchased John Carpenter's Halloween (which remains the scariest movie I have ever seen) just to prove to myself that I really was over my horror film phobia. Over the years I have seen select scary movies (The Nightmare on Elm Street reboot, Paranormal Activity, The Haunting of Emily Rose, etc.) but definitely wouldn't consider myself a fan of the genre. When I was at RedBox this evening (getting Beasts of the Southern Wild) I saw that Silent House was available. I thought it was worth a shot and at the very least I would get to see Elizabeth Olsen'sacting chops. I can say, without a doubt, this is the best filmed horror/thriller film I have ever seen.

Silent House stars Elizabeth Olsen as Sarah, Adam Trese as her father John and Eric Sheffer Stevens as her uncle Peter. The three of them have come to Sarah's childhood home to clean it out, renovate it, and sell it. The house has become an attraction for vandals and squatters so the inside is in extreme disrepair. When the film starts it appears to be near nighttime; with the sun just about to set. We see that there is no electricity at the house and the cell reception is non-existant. Sarah is outside taking in the scenery of the lake next to the home when her father arrives to continue working on the renovation. The two go in and find Peter who tells John that he has found black mold. John tells Sarah to go upstairs because inhaling the mold would be dangerous. While Sarah fiddles with tools upstairs she hears the two brothers argue and Peter leaves the house. John explains that he'll be back soon and that they need to continue working on getting things packed. Sarah begins to hear noises and she has her father check them out. When he doesn't find anything upstairs he instructs her to finish packing her room. She then hears more noises and when she calls out to her father he doesn't answer. As she looks for him she realizes that her father has been hurt and they are not alone in the house.

Silent House is told in real time. This means that the entire film looks and feels like one continuous take. As you may recall, this is probably my favorite technique in cinematography. I love how complex even the simplest scene becomes when you take into account that there can be zero mistakes. No lighting issues, no missed lines, no missed entry cues, no focus issues. It is absolutely insane! I have previously linked the kitchen entry scene from Goodfellas to demonstrate but I thought I'd give another example. Watch the opening sequence of Robert Altman's The Player:


That is eight minutes of continuous action! The camera takes the audience from one conversation to another; from one set of characters to the next. When you take into consideration all the moving parts that make up this scene you can see why this is no easy task. Silent House does a terrific job of hiding their edits to make the film feel like one long take. I say that they hid their edits because it came out after the film was released that the film is actually broken into twelve minute increments and there are certain camera movements that are designed to allow for a cut. If you don't look for them then you won't see them. That takes talent. The first seventy-five percent of Silent House is great. Sarah is trapped inside a house with dangerous intruders and all she has is a lantern. The intruders are never seen unobscured so we are not able to see what they look like. When she finally escapes the house she immediately falls to the ground as she runs away. This marks the beginning of the cliched horror tropes to come. I won't go into detail about how everything ends because I do think that this is one worth seeing especially if you want to see the techniques utilized by the filmmakers. Also, Olsen plays her role perfectly. I am looking forward to seeing her career take off because she definitely has the talent.

No BS

Silent House will scare you if you are not a seasoned horror film watcher. There are pop out moments and some truly great suspense sequences. The veteran horror film fan will not appreciate the story but might enjoy the more technical aspects of the film. The feeling of this film is reminiscent of the 2008 thriller The Strangers. If you have seen that and liked it then this is one you shouldn't miss (and if you haven't seen The Strangers then see that first because it is great).

My Score: 6.5/10

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Directed by: Benh Zeitlin
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

During this Oscar season I have heard the title Beasts of the Southern Wild tossed around by everybody and their mother. I kept telling myself that I need to see it if everyone is praising it. I kept putting it off until today. I was inspired yesterday when Judd Apatow stated on his Facebook account "Beasts of the Southern Wild is the only movie I have felt the need to watch multiple times this year...". If you know me then you know my fondness for Apatow so that was the last bit of coaxing that I needed. I rented it from RedBox (along with another film that I will review soon) and watched it. It didn't hold my attention like I hoped it would but I can certainly understand the buzz surrounding it.

Beasts of the Southern Wild is about a small community living outside the levees in New Orleans. Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, lives with her father, Wink (Dwight Henry), and several animals. Her room consists of a trailer perched on a tree while Wink stays in a lean-to construction across a field from her. The start of the film shows how happy Hushpuppy is with her life in The Bathtub (their community) and the strong sense of kinship they all share. The film then transitions to a school lesson where Miss Bathsheba (Gina Montana) tells Hushpuppy and her class that the polar ice caps are melting and that when they are gone, the water is going to cover their homes. She also tells them about Aurochs (the animal that is the precursor to modern cattle) and how they were a creature to be feared. She tells the children that the cavemen would hide and draw images of them on their walls because of their fear and admiration towards them. Hushpuppy begins to have imagine chunks of ice breaking off into the ocean carrying Aurochs inside. She believes that these Aurochs are coming to get her. We learn early in the film that Hushpuppy's father is not well and that he is not as caring as it is initially thought. He proves to be short tempered and somewhat violent towards his daughter. The film explores their relationship as well as the concept of home and community.

Something that immediately caught my attention in this film is how real it all seemed. When films are done about the bayou or New Orleans it always seems like there is a certain element of fantasy involved. I will say that I cannot remember many films depicting these areas except for maybe The Waterboy. Adam Sandler's character (Bobby) lived with his momma in the swamps of Louisiana but it didn't feel like that. Treme is set in post Katrina New Orleans and I think it comes the closest to how the city and area actually feel. The community in Beasts lives in extremely poor conditions yet they don't know anything else. We see Hushpuppy trot around in dirty clothes and galoshes because that's all she owns. The people speak and behave how I imagine they would. The only element of fantasy is the occasional flash of the Aurochs that are heading to The Bathtub. Wallis' narration adds an incredible innocence to the entire film. Her naivety about the ways of the world break your heart. In one scene, she observes sick people in a hospital that are connected to IVs and monitors. She says that when animals get sick here, they plug them into the walls. We take for granted the things that we know and we never think about how foreign some of our actions and comforts might be. Beasts of the Southern Wild is a well constructed film and it is worth seeing to understand what the Oscar buzz surrounding Quvenzhané is all about.

I stated above that this film didn't hold my attention like I hoped it would. I had no idea what I was about to watch when I put the DVD in. I was immediately captivated by the story of Hushpuppy and Wink but grew tired of his Devil may care attitude. I didn't understand how these people that are living in such an abject situation; such dire straits, could so adamantly fight off any help they might receive. I also take objection with the Academy. I wonder if they considered a Best Actor nomination for Dwight Henry because he had a fantastic performance as Wink.

No BS

Beasts of the Southern Wild is a film about the relationship between a girl and her father as they survive in the lowlands outside of New Orleans. There are some lighthearted moments in the film but they are sparse. At heart, this film is a drama about growing up and facing what the world throws at you. If you have asked why Wallis has been nominated for a Best Actress Oscar then definitely see this because you'll see why immediately.

My Score: 7/10

Craigslist Joe

Craigslist Joe (2012)
Directed by: Joe Garner
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 20%

Today, I found myself trolling through Netflix (which is a pretty common occurrence). I have been eyeing Craigslist Joe for some time and I decided to give it a whirl. I was, at first, in awe at the incredible journey Joe experienced as he traversed the country. As I digested everything I was watching I couldn't help but wonder if this project would have gone differently if Joe wasn't an unassuming. clean shaven, white male.

Craigslist Joe follows Joe Garner as he travels across the country utilizing only Craigslist. He states that his mission is to find out if there is still good in the world because everything feels like it is going to Hell. Garner begins the film by stating his rules: he takes only a laptop, a phone he bought for the film (complete with a new number), and the clothes on his back, he carries no cash or credit cards, and he will have no communication with anybody that he already knows. He also hired a cameraman to film his excursion from Craigslist. On his journey, Joe encounters a WIDE range of people including: a new age healer, a woman with Cancer (that actually had a small part in Home Alone 2 as a hooker offering to read Kevin a bedtime story), a guy traveling in an '85 VW bus, a dominatrix, and Craig of Craigslist. The film is done very well and shows that there really are good people in the world...as well as a lot of really really strange ones.

Craigslist Joe is a feel good film. There is no way around it. Joe embodies the Everyman (if the Everyman is a young, white male). Everyone that helps Joe along the way is light skinned as well (with the exception of a Middle Eastern family). It brings up the question "If Joe were a black man, would he have had the same success". I am not convinced that he would. I actually think that Black Joe would have encountered more people backing out of plans or people just overall not being as friendly. The truth is that our country is still prejudice in many areas and this would be a detriment to Black Joe's quest. That aside, let's discuss the film. Craigslist Joe is a very well film and edited film. Every leg of Joe's journey is introduced with the actual CL ad at the bottom of the frame. Each person Joe meets (including The Human Beatbox from New Orleans) is introduced in a similar fashion. It puts the audience in Joe's shoes. It's like we are sifting through the countless "M4W looking for sex" ads to find the people of interest. Joe Doesn't just answer ads for travel; he volunteers his time and energy to better people's lives as well. He gardens with a woman in exchange for a lunch, he helps someone mount their new TV for a meal as well, he jams with a sketch character in exchange for a place to sleep, and he attends classes and events just for fun. I have never seen Craigslist advertised but this film is like one long commercial. I am not complaining about that though. It is good to know that there is more to Craigslist than the personals and missed connections section.

As a side note, I don't read reviews of the films I watch before I review them personally. I don't want to be swayed from my original thought process and I don't want someone else influencing my writing. That being said, when I looked up the Rotten Tomatoes score I was floored. The new Die Hard film is only 6% lower than Craigslist Joe. That should not be. Perhaps it is because there are so few reviews and most of those are mediocre, perhaps people disliked that Joe is a young, white male, perhaps those people watch the film with their fingers jammed in their eyes and ears. Whatever the case may be I would like to take this opportunity to say: don't always trust reviews. They are not the end all be all of a film's quality. My aim is to provide two reviews of substance: one that goes in depth about certain aspects of the composition of the film while discussing the overall quality of the film, and one that is quick and concise. People that find no interest in the first part can skip right down to the second review and get the information they want.

No BS

Craigslist Joe is easy to watch. It will probably induce some tears because the kindness of the people (Joe included) is astounding. I had a lot of fun watching Joe travel from Los Angeles, to New York, and back again. I definitely recommend this film.

My Score: 7/10

My Oscar Predictions

The Oscars are a week away and I would like to throw out my predictions! I am going to state who I think will win and why (My Prediction), who I want to win and why (My Pick), and I will also give some examples of past winners so you can get a feel for what the Academy looks for when awarding them the coveted statuette. I will not be doing all categories; just the ones I feel I can speak on intelligently and can give a fair prediction. I hope you enjoy! Please comment with your predictions! (If you need a reference for who is nominated, here is a link to the list of nominees).

Let's get the ball rolling with...
Best Visual Effects:
This award is given to the film that best utilizes technology to aid in the telling of the story. The first winner was Wings in 1927. Other notable winners include: Inception, Avatar, Forrest Gump, Terminator 2, Alien, and Star Wars.
My Prediction: The Hobbit. Peter Jackson did a fantastic job of bringing Tolkien's world to life again. His attention to minute details breathes life into everything. I highly recommend seeing this if you haven't already. Also, he has one for every film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy so it would make sense to follow suite with The Hobbit.
My Pick: I have to go with The Hobbit. As I stated above, Jackson's ability to bring such a fantastic place to life really does show great prowess with the medium. Andy Serkis also deserves mention because he is incredible as Gollum.

Best Film Editing:
This award is given to the key people responsible for editing the winning film. This award is closely related to the Best Picture Oscar. It is important to remember that, even though you have a great writer, great director, and great cast, you have nothing if you don't have someone to put it all together. The first winner of this award was Eskimo in 1934. Other winners include: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network, The Departed, The Matrix, JFK, and Platoon.
My Prediction: Lincoln. Period films are Oscar darlings. They immediately receive buzz and usually dominate at the awards. I have no reason to believe that Lincoln won't clean up this year.
My Pick: Argo or Life of Pi. I say Argo because Affleck was shafted by not receiving a Best Director nom however, as I stated above, your film is nothing without a great editor. The film that exemplifies that the most for me was Life of Pi. The way that story is told, with numerous flashbacks and fantastic elements, lends itself to be a great pick for the Academy.

Best Costume Design:
This award is given to the film that excels in setting the tone of the film through the use of clothing. This films typically nominated for this award are the period films that are released during that year. The first winners of this award (one for black and white and one for color) were Hamlet and Joan of Arc respectively. Other notable winners include: The Artist, Alice In Wonderland, The Aviator, The English Patient, and Amadeus.
My Prediction: Les Miserables. Les Miserables' costumes were just as important to the film as the music. The differences between the character's social status and wealth are apparent in the clothing they wear. The only film I feel has a real chance against Les Miserables is Lincoln.
My Pick: I have to go with Les Mis. As I stated above, the costuming was spot on for the era and I feel the Academy will recognize it.

Best Makeup:
The award for Best Makeup was created in honor of the 1980 film The Elephant Man. Prior to the creation of the award, the makeup artists were only able to receive recognition after a lifetime of work in their field. The first winner of the award was An American Werewolf In London. Other winners include: The Iron Lady, Star Trek (2009), Frida, Men In Black, and The Fly.
My Prediction: I believe the Academy is going to pick Hitchcock. I haven't actually seen the film but from the screenshots it seems like the makeup artists did a phenomenal job transforming Anthony Hopkins into Alfred Hitchcock. However, I wouldn't doubt seeing Les Mis win this one too.
My Pick: The Hobbit. Hands down. The dwarves that star in The Hobbit are enough but add in the goblins, the hobbits, and Gollum and you have a film rife with spectacular display in makeup. Also, again, Jackson won two out of three times for the Lord of the Rings films in this category.

Best Cinematography:
The award for Best Cinematography goes to the film that displays exceptional skill in cinematography. Cinematography comprises all aspects relating to lighting, camera work (angles, zoom, focus, etc), and the overall tone of the visual portion of the film. Most films portray certain emotion or tone due to a cinematographers decisions. Many directors choose to continue working with cinematographers so that they can utilize their style as their signature in their films. The first film to win this award was Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans however technically the cinematographers Charles Rosher and Karl Struss were the ones awarded, not the film. Other notable winners include: Inception, Slumdog Millionaire, There Will Be Blood, The Aviator, and Gandhi.
My Prediction: Lincoln simply because I foresee an award sweep by Spielberg's latest venture. I haven't seen Lincoln so I cannot speak on why, technically, it will win but as I stated earlier, period pieces are Oscar magnets. Another possible winner is Anna Karenina but its reviews are not as favorable as Lincoln's and the highest rated film typically wins.
My Pick: Django Unchained. I love Quentin Tarantino so this choice is mostly a biased pick. That being said, Django had great moments of superb camera work. If you want to know more then read here for my in depth review of the film.

Best Production Design:
The award for Best Production Design goes to the film that shows exemplary skill in setting the tone and time of a film through the use of set design. The firs film(s) given the award were The Dove and Tempest because the set designer for both films was the same, William Cameron Menzies. Other notable winners include: Hugo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moulin Rouge!, Titanic, and Batman.
My Prediction: Les Miserables will most likely win because of the elaborate sets. I feel that the opening scene with Valjean pulling a large ship into the dock with all the other laborers might have been enough just because of how huge the prop appeared. It is also not unheard of for musicals to win this award (see: Moulin Rouge!).
My Pick: The Hobbit or Les Mis because both of them had a difficult task at hand. One was to recreate a world from the imagination of the author and the other was to emulate the emotions of the music of a story set during the French Revolution through the set design.

Best Original Song:
This award goes to the writer of an original song that was utilized in a film within the award year. If the film has been adapted from the stage and uses music from the adapted form; those songs may not be used as they are not "original". The first winner of this award was The Continental from the 1934 film The Gay Divorcee. Other notable winners include: Man or Muppet by Brett McKenzie from The Muppets, We Belong Together by Randy Newman from Toy Story 3, It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp by members of Three 6 Mafia from Hustle & Flow, Lose Yourself by Eminem from 8 Mile, and I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder from The Woman In Red.
My Prediction: Skyfall by Adele looks to be a strong candidate simply because it is the only one that people can really recall. Because Les Mis has been adapted from the stage most of their songs are not eligible for the award.
My Pick: I will agree with my prediction here. I liked the song and I think Adele is deserving of the award.

Best Original Score:
The score of a film is all the music heard throughout film not including actual songs. The score is an important part of the finished film because it adds layers of depth and emotion to the work. Without a score, the scenes would be noticeably lacking in substance. The first film to win this award was One Night of Love in 1934. Other notable winners include: The Artist, The Social Network, Up, Aladdin, and E.T.
My Prediction: Again, Lincoln will probably be the winner here. I really do need to see this film.
My Pick: Life of Pi's score was integral to the film because there were moments of complete loneliness that were expressed wonderfully though the score. The music carried the audience through the story in an exceptional manner.

Best Animated Feature:
The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature goes to the best animated film released within the award year. The film must run longer than forty minutes and must include animated characters in seventy five percent or more of the total running time. This award is relatively new as it was first awarded in 2002 to Shrek. Other winners include: Rango, Happy Feet, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Spirited Away, as well as many of Pixar's films.
My Prediction: Brave will take this award. Pixar rarely loses this category and I have no reason to believe they will this year. I did not like Brave because I felt like the story took a backseat to the technical marvel of creating realistic hair but I am not in the Academy so it doesn't matter.
My Pick: Frankenweenie because I loved the original and because Tim Burton utilized Stop Motion which is a rarity especially now. I didn't see the remake but I have been told that it was a lot of fun. It would be nice to see someone other than Pixar win this year (I really do love Pixar though).

Best Adapted Screenplay:
The Best Adapted Screenplay goes to the writer of the film that has been adapted from one medium to another (usually novel to film). The first film to win this award was Seventh Heaven. Other notable winners include: The Descendants, The Social Network, No Country for Old Men, Schindler's List, and Kramer vs. Kramer.
My Prediction: Silver Linings Playbook could be a surprise winner in this category. It has gained an enormous amount of acclaim and could edge Lincoln out of the limelight.
My Pick: I could go two ways on this one: Argo or Silver Linings Playbook. I think Ben Affleck did a hell of a job with Argo and believe he should win but I also really enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook. It's a tough decision but I want Argo to snag this award.

Best Original Screenplay:
The Best Original Screenplay goes to the film with the best writing and dialogue. This film must be an original work. It was first awarded in 1940 to The Great McGinty. Other notable winners include: Midnight In Paris, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine, Almost Famous, and Pulp Fiction.
My Prediction: I believe that Django Unchained has a really good shot at winning this year. The only other film that I feel like has an edge over it is Amour because it is a foreign film and the Academy loves foreign films more than they love period pieces.
My Pick: Tarantino wrote such an engaging and enjoyable film with Django Unchained that it would be heartbreaking if he didn't win it. He was snubbed in 2009 when Inglorious Basterds didn't win. Fun Fact: He lost in 2009 to The Hurt Locker which was written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow. They are also up for an award this year for Zero Dark Thirty.

Best Supporting Actress:
This award is given to the actress that delivered an outstanding supporting performance in a film within the award year. Gale Sondergaard was the first winner in 1936 for her role in Anthony Adverse. Other notable winners include: Octavia Spencer, Melissa Leo, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Connelly, and Meryl Streep.
My Prediction: This is a tough choice. I would be inclined to say Anne Hathaway for Les Mis but she was barely in the film. I honestly think Sally Field will be selected for her role in Lincoln.
My Pick: I would like to see Jacki Weaver win for her role as the matriarch in Silver Linings Playbook. She was the glue that held the family together and she held the screen easily while Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper yelled and fought with each other. I would also be happy if Helen Hunt won for her role in The Sessions . This is a film I have been wanting to see but just haven't had the time.

Best Supporting Actor:
This award is just like the Best Supporting Actress award; only for a male. The first winner of this award was Walter Brennan in 1936 for his role in Come and Get It. Other notable winners include: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Michael Cain, and Robin Williams.
My Prediction: I have not had a chance to see The Master but Philip Seymour Hoffman is such an amazing talent that I cannot see the Academy picking anybody else.
My Pick: I have discussed before why I think that Robert DeNiro's role in Silver Linings Playbook was one of his best in years. I would like to see him win this award so that he continues to take parts that challenge his acting abilities.

Best Leading Actor:
The Best Leading Actor Oscar is given to the actor that delivered an exception performance in a film within the award year. Emil Jannings was the first winner in 1928 for his roles in The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh. Other notable winners include: Colin Firth, Jeff Bridges, Daniel Day-Lewis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Paul Newman.
My Prediction: Daniel Day Lewis will win this award. I have very little doubt that his role as Abraham Lincoln will go unawarded.
My Pick: I think that Bradley Cooper could be a dark horse in this race. He really stepped out of his norm and delivered a believable and relatable character. It would be great to see him win for the same reason I want DeNiro to win; it would encourage him to do more dramatic roles and not every Hangover sequel Todd Phillips can pump out.

Best Leading Actress:
This award has the same criteria as the one for Best Leading Male just for a Female. The first person to win this award was Janet Gaynor for her roles in not one, not two, but three films: Seventh Heaven, Street Angel, and Sunrise! Other notable winners include: Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, and Diane Keaton.
My Prediction: I feel that Jennifer Lawrence has a good shot at winning. She's not up against Streep which is good for her and the others in contention are good but by no means Oscar shoe-ins.
My Pick: Jennifer Lawrence was incredible in Silver Linings Playbook. She has done her best to vary her roles and this one is the most mature character she has portrayed. Lawrence was nominated in 2010 for her role as Ree in Winter's Bone but ultimately lost to Natalie Portman for her performance in Black Swan. This could be her year.

Best Director :
Easily one of the biggest and most important awards, the Academy Award for Best Director goes to the director that shows extreme technical ability. These directors are able to weave a film together and present a true piece of art. Frank Borzage was the first winner of this award in 1928 for his film Seventh Heaven. Other notable winners include: Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), Kevin Costner (Dances With Wolves), Robert Redford (Reds), and Milos Forman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest).
My Prediction: The awards for best Director and best Picture are often linked together so I have to give this one to Steven Spielberg for Lincoln. I have stated before that I think Lincoln will sweep the Oscars and this is one of those categories that it is almost guaranteed to win.
My Pick: Ben Affleck for Argo...wait, he wasn't nominated? That's strange...Ok, well, David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook then. I think that may have been the best film I had seen last year (other than Django Unchained but alas, Tarantino isn't nominated for best Director either).

Best Picture:
The Academy Award for Best Picture is given to the film that was, overall, the best film released within the award year. it is, perhaps, the most coveted award that the Academy gives out. Winning a Best Picture Oscar secures your reputation as a filmmaker and allows you to have more freedom with your future projects. The first film to win this award was Wings in 1928. Other notable winners include: The Artist, Crash, American Beauty, Braveheart, and Annie Hall.
My Prediction: Lincoln is likely to win this award as well. There is just no stopping a Spielberg period piece about the man that brought the United States together during a time of great division.
My Pick: I would love for Django Unchained to win simply because it was so fresh and fun. Tarantino has never won a best Picture Oscar. He deserved it for Pulp Fiction but Forrest Gump won instead. He also deserved it for Inglorious Basterds but lost to The Hurt Locker. I think that Tarantino makes films his way and doesn't compromise and I admire that. He deserves a win.

Well, there it is! Those are my predictions and my personal picks. Please comment below to tell me where your opinions differ from mine. Let's get a discussion going! Thanks for reading!!

Identity Thief

Identity Thief (2013)
Directed by: Seth Gordon
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 24%

First, let me start off by saying that my goal as a reviewer (however small my readership may be) is to inform and educate about the content of the film in which I am speaking. My aim is not to criticize a certain actor or director's personal life or identity. I may comment on their ability to deliver lines or their lack of technical ability when it comes to film making but I do not believe that a person's sex, age, political beliefs, religion (unless it's Tom Cruise), or weight have any effect on the content of the film. I say this because recently Melissa McCarthy was attacked by a scathing review for Identity Thief by notable reviewer Rex Reed. I do not wish to repeat his statements but you can certainly find sources detailing the aspects of his "review". My comment for Rex Reed on the matter is that I wholeheartedly agree with Paul Feig's sentiments: “For his catty and school bully name-calling of the supremely talented Melissa McCarthy, I cordially invite Mr. Rex Reed to go f**k himself.” Now, on to the review!

Identity Thief stars the always talented Jason Bateman as Sandy Bigelow Patterson. His talent is matched by the incredible Melissa McCarthy. Sandy is working a dead end job with a large bank. He has a wife (Amanda Peet) and two children at home Franny (Mary-Charles Jones) and Jessie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). When Sandy is offered a job with a new firm it seems that his life is about to turn around until it all comes crashing down. Dawn (McCarthy) is a veteran identity thief who has recently acquired Sandy's personal information and has taken out several credit cards in his name. As she spends her way to happiness Sandy's credit and good name are marred. Dawn ends up getting arrested for causing a ruckus at a bar and is given a court date. Dawn has no intention of actually attending the court date because the charges are not in her real name. When Sandy is arrested for skipping his court date he learns that his identity has been stolen and that this woman in Florida is ruining his life. The situation is complicated further by the fact that because Dawn is involved with the Cartel, Sandy's reputation is suspect. This causes his new boss (John Cho) to consider firing him. Sandy then concocts a plan to bring Dawn back to Denver, where he lives, so she can tell his boss that she, in fact, is the source of all the drama. While she is confessing, the police are then to bust in and catch her in the act of confessing. Sounds foolproof, right? Of course not. What follows is one mishap after another. It is reminiscent of the classic Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.


Rotten Tomatoes' score for Identity Thief a 24%. That is "rotten" on their scale. I typically feel like their scores are pretty spot on but I have to disagree here. While Identity Thief isn't doing anything new at least they are doing it well. The two leads in the film are fantastic actors and are able to hold a scene with ease. I wouldn't be surprised if Gordon let them improvise most of their dialogue. Their chemistry feels natural and is completely believable. That being said, there are definite flaws within the plot. As much as I love Jonathan Banks, I feel his role as Paolo was unnecessary. He is uncredited (according to IMDb) so perhaps it was a favor to someone involved in making the film but still, his scenes felt out of place. Half way through the film I completely forgot what the goal of the road trip was because there were so many other crazy things going on that the story gets muddled. This caused the runtime to creep up near two hours and you definitely notice it.

No BS

Identity Thief is a fun time. It is filled with almost incessant hilarity. Bateman and McCarthy (as well as Robert Patrick, Jon Favreau, Ben Falcone and Eric Stonestreet) make this movie worth seeing. It is rated R for quite a bit of language so if you don't want to hear the sweet sweet Melissa McCarthy talk like a sailor then...see this movie anyway because it is funny!

My Score: 7/10

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies (2013)
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%

I want to preface this review by saying I think that the whole Zombie motif is overdone. It's the new vampire. I am sure the CW will be launching Zombie Diaries soon enough. I used to be a zombie fan; back when they were mindless, shuffling, brain hungry monsters. I praised the Resident Evil series (awkward camera angles and all) up until the fourth game. Sure, Resident Evil 4 was a good game but it was not a Resident Evil game. The enemies were not zombies. That is when zombies began to shift in demeanor in both games and in film. 28 Days Later marked the beginning of a new era of zombie. These guys could think, run, plan, and just prove to be a damned nuisance to poor Cillian Murphy. I have never been compelled to watch The Walking Dead nor do I care about the zombie mode on Call of Duty. However, something about Warm Bodies' trailer struck me. This was yet another take on the genre. This is a romantic comedy between an awkward zombie, beginning to feel life again, and an attractive young woman. I saw it this evening and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Warm Bodies is not the RomCom I thought it was going to be. The story shudders along at times but it doesn't feel jarring. It fits the tone of the film. At the start of the film we are introduced to our main male character "R" (Nicholas Hoult). In his narration, R explains that he cannot remember his previous life. He wanders around the airport that he "lives" in thinking about what people's past professions were. He says that "... my hoodie would suggest I was unemployed". Right away it is clear that R is not a typical zombie. His brain appears to be functioning but there is a disconnect between the reasoning region and the action region. R rescues Julia (Teresa Palmer) and takes her back to his home (an airplane that he has decked out with records, lights, and other collected items). Through their time together, Julia learns that the "corpses" are not all mindless beasts. She sees that R is capable of emotion, understanding, reason, and compassion. Rod Corddry has a great role as R's best friend M (he also cannot remember his name). The two grunt, stare, and occasionally speak random words to each other. This is what constitutes friendship to zombies. John Malkovich co-stars as Julia's father. He has become the leader of the last human city and he is ruthless in his treatment of the corpses. Another great addition to the cast is relative newcomer Analeigh Tipton. She was in Crazy, Stupid Love (another fantastic Gosling movie) and I am glad to see her getting more roles.

One of the themes of Warm Bodies is the sense that these zombies have lost their will to live. There are two types of zombies in this universe: the corpses, or your typical shuffling zombies, and the skeletons. The skeletons are zombies that have completely lost hope. They peel off their own skin and will attack anything with a heartbeat. The main point there is that they have no hope. The film is stating that the ones that are meandering around the airport still have something; some shred of humanity. R realizes this when he meets Julia. He begins to change and, in turn, spreads the humanity that he is experiencing. It spreads like the zombie virus (or whatever it is that caused the Apocalypse) and causes the humans to question their actions. There is a point in the film where Julia is speaking with Nora (Tipton) and Perry (Dave Franco) about what they would do if the world were different. Julia said it would be nice to exhume the world. They ask her what that means and she says to revive; to cure. Perry corrects her and says that it means to dig up. This is such a poignant message to relay in a zombie film. The Earth is dead and it needs to be exhumed but the only thing that can do that; is love. It is a timeless message that The Beatles tried to tell us years ago but we just don't get it. Perhaps Warm Bodies will help us see that.



No BS

Warm Bodies is not easily placed in any particular genre. It has funny moments, it has romantic moments, it is horrific moments. I would compare it to Shaun of the Dead in regards to atmosphere. I think this one is worth seeing if you can accept the love story between a zombie and a human.

My Score: 7.5/10

Drive

Drive (2011)
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

I believe this is the third film with Ryan Gosling that I have reviewed. I don't know what that says really. Do I just really like Gosling or does he happen to pick great roles? Whatever the case may be, Gosling is fantastic as the stoic lead in 2011's Drive. When I saw this in the theater I immediately thought about how future film students should study it. Drive is a film maker's/lover's film.

Drive stars Ryan Gosling as an unnamed lead. He is referred to as "Kid" by his mentor and seemingly only friend, Shannon (Bryan Cranston). For the purpose of keeping everything in check, I will refer to him as Gosling. The film opens with Gosling explaining to an unknown person on a phonecall that when he starts his watch, he is their's. For five minutes, no matter what happens, he is their's. He is then seen driving through Los Angeles as the opening credits run. The backdrop of the city at night with the neon pink letter used for the credits give the film a Miami Vice feel. Gosling arrives at a garage where Shannon, the owner of the garage, is waiting. He tells him that he has an Impala, the most popular car in California, ready for him. He mentions some slight tweaks and comments on Gosling's fatigued appearance. Gosling then drives to a warehouse where he picks up to masked men that have just broken into and robbed the warehouse. He listens to a basketball game and a police scanner as he waits for the men to finish. As he leaves the area with the robbers his vehicle is immediately suspicious to the police that have spotted him leaving the scene. Through some inspired driving, Gosling is able to evade the police when he pulls into a parking garage just as the basketball game he has been listening to ends. He gets out of the car, puts on a hat, and walks into the crowd. The pacing and feel of the film shifts (pun intended) quite drastically after the opening scenes. Gosling is quite, reserved, and mild mannered. We learn he is a stunt driver for Hollywood films and Shannon builds the vehicles for the stunts. Tired of not making a big enough income, Shannon seeks the help of a local gangster, Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks), to bankroll a stock car that Gosling will drive for Shannon. Things do not quite go according to plan and people end up getting hurt. If you want more of a summary then you will just need to watch the film. What I am going to discuss is how the ultraviolence and Gosling's actions make Drive a comicbook/superhero movie.

Drive is a unique film. It changes gears dramatically throughout the duration so it makes it difficult to discuss the film as a whole. Gosling behaves much like Bruce Banner in most of the film. He is quiet, reserved, well mannered. However, when he is pushed to his limit, people get hurt. This clip is from later in the film but demonstrates perfectly how Drive can go from one film to another in no time at all.

This scene gives me chills every time I watch it. Gosling knows that the guy in the elevator is someone that means to bring harm to Irene and him. He seemingly stops time to turn around and give her a passionate kiss. A kiss that tells her that he is going to take care of them; that he is going to ensure that this man will not touch her. The lights dim as the music swells and for an instant they are the only two people on Earth. He then looks her in the eye, turns his attention to the man in the elevator, and proceeds to beat the living Hell out of him. Gosling's foot eventually goes through the head of the man indicating that he is most likely dead. When Gosling is threatened he completely Hulks out. Our first glimpse into this behavior is earlier as he is trying to enjoy a meal at a diner.


No BS

Drive is not a particularly easy film to watch. It is super violent and slow at times which will not appeal to some people. In fact, I took my girlfriend, her sister, and her husband to see it and they all hated it. I had seen it earlier with my mother and we both loved it. Drive is a movie I want everyone to see.

My Score: 9/10

Season of the Witch

Season of the Witch (2011)
Directed by: Dominic Sena and Brett Ratner
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 10%

I had the urge tonight to do another Hate Watch Review and Nic Cage immediately entered my brain. I heard his voice question "But which bitchin' movie of mine will you watch, Heath!?" "Well, Nic, that is a valid question. With so many God-awful movies under your belt how does one choose" I replied. I thought it would be wise to search Netflix for the worst movie I could find. I settled on one of his SEVEN films from 2011; Season of the Witch. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly. Seven films in 2011. There are some actors that pledge to never make another movie ever again after seven films (Hugh Grant et al.) but Cage says, "What other crazy sh*t can I do!?" Well Mr. Cage, this truly is a testament to your willingness to do anything. Be aware, I am going to go into detail about the movie in its entirety. Unlike my other films where I discuss parts; I plan on telling you exactly why this is held in such low regard across all of humanity. Enjoy!

Season of the Witch opens with a "trial" on a bridge in which several women are being accused of consorting with Lucifer. I put those quotation marks around the word trial because there is no way on Earth these women are going to live through this ordeal. Of the three women, one confesses to witchcraft. It is obvious that she is just trying to save her skin because she doesn't possess the hallmarks that all witches possess (shadowy eyes, gnarled teeth, bluish grey skin, a crazy crooked nose) like her companions. When the priest has condemned them all he signals his fellow priests to toss them over the bridge; effectively breaking their necks. They double up the murder by dunking them underwater and leaving them. As the crowd disperses, the head priest objects to his brother's haste to leave. They say that they believe they are as dead as they can be and that they have no concern for the sacrements that must be performed for their souls. The head priest decides to do the task alone and suffers for it when, surprise, the witches are not dead.

Fast forward some time to what appears to be The Crusades. Ron Perlman and Nicolas Cage are on top of a hill taking wagers on who will kill the most baddies. Violence ensues. Fast forward more time. A similar scene occurs. This is the filmmakers way of telling us that "Nic Cage and Ron Perlman are bad dudes in this movie" and I can appreciate the shorthand. Fast forward again to another massacre only this time Cage (his character's name is unimportant) sees women and children have been slain. This is not glorious to Cage. When he expresses his distaste for the scene the head knight calls him insolent. Feeling thoroughly unrighteous, Vincent from the Beauty and the Beast TV series leans over and says "Let's get the Hell out of here" (which is definitely how Crusaders talked). Cage realizes that that is a terrific idea and the two head off aimlessly; destined to star in a buddy cop movie set in the Crusades era.

Cage and Dieter from Blade II walk for a while and they happen upon a house filled with corpses. They set the house on fire (because that's what you did in those days) and continue on. Their next stop is a castle racked by plague. Apparently Cage is a celebrity even during the Crusades because he hides his face as they ride through the streets. Koulikov from Enemy at the Gates, on the other hand, couldn't care less who sees him (much like in the Present). The two are discovered to be Crusaders when a stableboy sees the emblem on Cage's sword. The two are confronted by guards and an epic sword fight breaks out (which ends in 33 seconds). The two are taken to see the Cardinal by the guards and they are commissioned to escort a witch, that is believed to be the cause of the Plague, to a Monastery. When Cage refuses, they are thrown in prison. After a dream, Cage decides to accept the Cardinal's condition if he agrees that the alleged witch will receive a trial (no quotations) and the desertion charges are lifted from Hellboy and himself. The Cardinal agrees.

The crew find a snake oil peddler that knows the way to the Monastery and hire him to lead their crew. When the group goes to retrieve the witch, they find that she is a young girl. After they are attacked by the not quite sedated witch, Cage backhands her and ensures that she is, in fact, unconscious. They then set out for the monastery.

As the crew (or crüe) travels they discuss things like: fighting, witches, STDs, etc. Cage then uses his Cage sense to catch someone that has been following them. It is revealed that an altar boy (escaping the Church) wishes to accompany them on their journey. Cage pits Johner from Alien Resurrection and the altar boy against each other in a fit. When the Kay (the altar boy) proves his worth, Cage accepts him into the fold. The group continues to walk for a while...I missed some of the details because I was looking for more names to call Ron Perlman. As the group is resting for the night they agree to take turns watching over the witch. When it is the priests turn to watch her, she grows hysterical (insert joke here about kids and priests). She attacks him, steals his key, and escapes. The crüe follows her to a nearby village and a man(witch)hunt begins. They all break apart to cover more ground and one of the knights begins to hallucinate. He believes the witch is his daughter so he begins to aimlessly runabout. He is run through by Kay on accident because he thought the figure rushing crazily towards him was the witch. They find the witch and she apologizes for running. She explains that she couldn't stand being touched by the priest again (...). They bury the knight and go on their way.

After more walking and an ambush by wolves, where their guide is killed, the group arrives at the Monastery. They go inside and find that all the monks have been killed by the Plague. It is at this point where the true nature of the witches affliction reveals itself. She is not a witch at all but is possessed by a demon. The priest starts to perform an exorcism but the demon easily quiets him. The demon then possesses nearby dead monks to combat the knights. In the battle, most of the group is slain (including the guy that provided the voice of Clayface in Batman: The Animated Series). Nic Cage fights fights off the demon as Kay finishes the ritual in which the demon is vanquished from the Earth. Cage has Kay promise to look after the witch (no longer a witch). He agrees and buries all the dead folks.

Wow. That is all I can really say about this movie. It is a great film to watch for the joy that hating it brings. Nic Cage proves once again that he, is limited by nothing. Now, enjoy the wonderful song "Season of the Witch" by Donovan


No BS

Season of the Witch showcases Nic Cage being Nic Cage beautifully! It is a terrible film and has almost no redeeming qualities (Christopher Lee is in it for 3 minutes total) but if you are drunk it could provide some great laughs!

My Score: 4/10

Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine (2010)
Directed by: Derek Cianfrance
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Blue Valentine is not an easy film to watch. I have seen it twice and the second time was not any easier than the first. That being said, it is probably the best roles Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling have ever played. There is incredible depth in the characters, the writing is tight and well delivered, and the story is heartbreaking. Cianfrance's Sophomore film delivers with with the tautness of a seasoned director.

The film opens with Frankie (Faith Wladyka in her first film role) wandering around a field yelling "Megan". She makes her way back home and encounters Dean (Gosling), her father. Dean is balding, is a chain smoker, and wears glasses more at home on a pedophile. He looks completely different from any other role he has ever done. She tells him that Megan, their Golden Retriever, has gone missing. Dean takes Frankie out to her kennel to find the gate opened hinting at how she got out. Dean explains that she will come home when she gets hungry. The two go in and wake up Cindy (Williams); Dean's wife and Frankie's mother. Cindy prepares oatmeal for Frankie's breakfast and continues getting ready for work. It is at this point the audience is shown how immature Dean is. He encourages Frankie to eat like an animal and is unhelpful when Frankie exclaims that she doesn't like the oatmeal. Cindy then takes Frankie to the car so she can take her to school and Dean goes to work painting a house. The film then shifts to the past and shows Dean applying to work for a moving company. Dean is young, healthy, and full of life. We see the type of person he was and the type of person he has become. Dean and Cindy meet by chance at a nursing home as Dean is moving an elderly man into his room and Cindy is visiting her grandmother. Throughout the course of the film, we see how their relationship starts, flourishes, and eventually dissolves. This clip is taken from one of the happiest moments in the film but it is juxtaposed with clips from the entire film (both happy and sad).

We are introduced to the tremendous amount of talent Dean possesses as a musician but he has squandered it all because of a lack of drive. He has no determination to become anything. He is content doing just enough to get by so he can spend the maximum amount of time with his family. In this clip, Gosling explains that the film is much like a murder mystery which is a great way to explain the course of events.


As Gosling mentions in the interview above, the film is shot in two very different ways. The present day scenes where Dean and Cindy's love is in shambles has a very cold feeling. The scenes take place in July yet because of the blue color palette it feels like the dead of winter. The past scenes, where the two characters are falling in love, feel very warm and bright even though they take place in the winter months. The combination of the two creates a dissonant yet cohesive narrative.

No BS

Blue Valentine is a fantastic film but it is not for everyone. The film ends very unceremoniously and there are scenes that will leave you feeling sad and empty. There was quite a bit of controversy over the rating of the film because of some graphic sex scenes between Gosling and Williams. However, in the context of the story, everything feels necessary and fits well within the narrative. I recommend seeing this film if you can handle the extreme emotions it will undoubtedly stir.

My Score: 8/10

New Han Solo

It was brought to my attention today that Disney has announced that they will be doing a Han Solo prequel movie. From what I understand from thislink the movie will be one of two that Disney is making that well be separated from the new Star Wars trilogy set to hit theaters in two years. The question that is on everyone's mind is "who will replace Harrison Ford". Using the above link's suggestions, I will discuss who I think could be the next scruffy-looking Nerf herder.

Timothy Olyphant

Olyphant has gained popularity recently due to his starring role as Raylan Givens in FX's Justified. I have never seen Justified so I cannot speak about how that would relate to him playing Solo. Olyphant has portrayed Agent 47 in the film adaptation of the Hitman game as well as several characters known for their inability to stand for nonsense (The Girl Next Door, Live Free or Die Hard, and I Am Number Four to name a few). These roles prove that Olyphant can at least bring the attitude of Solo to life but whether he can hold up against Ford is another question. Also, the biggest thing standing in Olyphant's way (as you will notice for many of these choices) is his age. I don't think he could be a believable pre Episode IV Han Solo.

Josh Holloway

Best known for his role as Sawyer on Lost, Holloway has not seen much work in his career. If we look solely at his stint on Lost then I can see how he could be justified as a good Solo. Sawyer's background revealed that he was a con artist before the crash which fits nicely within the smuggler lifestyle of Han Solo. My concern here is his age.

Josh Brolin

I love Josh Brolin. He makes everything he is in better. My concern here is that he, again, is too old. Brolin played a young Tommy Lee Jones in Men In Black 3 last year but he still had the same presence as his older counterpart.

Nathan Fillion

Fillion is probably, by far, the people's favorite choice for this role. Fillion's role as Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly is practically a Han Solo clone (not to belittle Joss Whedon's character). Fillion is 41 which is six years older than Ford when he starred in the original Star Wars. Again, I fear he may be too old.

Christian Bale

No. I am tired of people throwing Bale's name out there for every role. He is like this generation's Johnny Depp. Any character that could potentially be brooding or unhinged at any point always get's Bale attached to it. He would not be right for Han Solo. I am not sure Christian Bale laughs unless it is in his script and Han Solo definitely has his hysterical moments. Plus, imagine the on set blow ups we would be subject too when a giant Wookie hits a lighting rig accidentally.

Chris Pine

While Pine is the first of these options that is the right age there is no reason we should entertain him for the role. This is a sad fact because he would be perfect. You know why? Because of his portrayal of James T. Kirk in JJ Abrams' Star Trek. He is a perfect example of the renegade that Han Solo is but he is already committed to the Star Trek universe. There is NO WAY he could transcend that geek boundary without some serious repercussions. It's really too bad.

Ryan Gosling

Gosling is not right for this role. At all. Han Solo is a fast talking, thrill seeking, selfish smuggler. Ryan Gosling has made a career out of being every woman's fantasy. His popular "Hey Girl" meme plays to this character trait beautifully. I feel that seeing Gosling try and fit into Solo's shoes would be uncomfortable and awkward.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo was introduced to a large audience last Summer when he played Bruce Banner/The Hulk in The Avengers. Before then he had been in romantic comedies and small dramas (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). I think Ruffalo could handle the role with ease but again, age plays a large factor.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Gordon-Levitt is constructing a pretty remarkable career. The former child star has developed into an incredibly talented leading man. Last year's Looper showed that he could be comfortable as a gunslinging sci-fi star. I think he may be the best choice out of this list to step into the coveted role of Han Solo.

Kyle Chandler

I hate that Chandler is just now starting to get recognition. He has been great in everything he has done especially Early Edition and Friday Night Lights. He has shown that he is capable of holding the screen with his recent role in Zero Dark Thirty. At 47 years old, he is a dozen years older than Ford when he first sat in the pilot's seat of the Millenium Falcon however he has aged very well. Much like Robert Redford, Chandler looks much younger than he is. I feel he could pull off the role with ease.

Karl Urban

See Chris Pine.

Joel Edgerton

The Aussie that first caught my attention in 2011 's Warrior could be a great fit for the Solo role. He could play younger than his 38 years but probably not as easy as other choices. He hasn't really done many roles where he totes a gun and demands attention but it could be fun to watch him try (not an attitude you want to have with a huge franchise like Star Wars). Also, he was in Episodes two and three as Uncle Owen (I didn't know that until I read this article).

Dave Franco

James Franco's younger brother Dave is beginning to break into Hollywood as a real player. He has gone from bit roles to leading in a matter of a few years. Last year's 21 Jump Street was one of the funniest films of the year and Franco was great in it. My concern here is that this doesn't seem to be his type of role but he also hasn't proven that it isn't his type either.

Jason Clarke

Honestly (and no offense to Clarke) I am not sure why he made this list. He is a relatively unknown Australian actor that made waves this/last year with his role in Zero Dark Thirty. Plus, he is too old.

Taylor Kitsch
Last in this list of hopefuls is Taylor Kitsch. Kitsch was beloved as Tim Riggins in Friday Night Lights. His recent foray into the Sci-Fi realm with John Carter was not a success but he was great in Oliver Stone's Savages so I feel he could work. He is the right age and could definitely pull off the look as well. I think he might be my number two selection on this list.

So there you have it. A breakdown of the top candidates as put forth by FirstShowing.net. Who do you think should be considered? What is your feedback on their selections?

Movie 43

Movie 43 (2013)
Directed by: Various
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 5%

vi·gnette [vin-yet] noun: any small, pleasing picture or view. a small, graceful literary sketch.

Saturday Night Live has been successful for three decades by utilizing the concept of vignette. It is a type of entertainment that works well with stage shows and television; not film. There have been exceptions: Jim Jarmusch's 2003 film Coffee and Cigarettes and the ensemble directed 1995 film Four Rooms are two examples of the disjointedness of the bits working well together. Movie 43 is not a successful vignette; it's not a successful anything.

Movie 43 is a "film" of shorts told within the structure of a real story. Greg Kinnear plays Griffin, a film executive working at a Hollywood production company. He is being pitched a series of ideas by Charlie (Dennis Quaid). Each of the ideas that Charlie throws out becomes its own story within the story. None of the ideas are fleshed out and what we get is a series of absurd and uncomfortable short films. I don't want to go into too much detail just in case you, my readers, ever want to subject yourself to watching this terrible terrible movie. I will break down three of the fourteen shorts so you can have an idea of what kind of terrible I am talking about.

Story #1: The Catch - Directed by: Peter Farrelly

Kate Winslett stars in this film about a a woman going on a blind date with one of the cities most eligible bachelors (Hugh Jackman). Beth (Winslett) and Davis (Jackman) arrive at a nice restaurant and are already engaged in conversation. They are laughing and enjoying each other's company. As they are seated, Davis removes his scarf he has been wearing to reveal a set of testicles on his throat. Beth is immediately horrified as this is not something that you typicallyever see. Throughout the dinner the two are approached by wait staff members and friends of Davis who don't make any mention of his throat balls. The story ends when Griffin interrupts Charlie (who is presumably telling him this idea) because it is gross and disturbing.

Story #2: Veronica - Directed by: Griffin Dunne

This story opens inside a supermarket. A less than enthused employee is rambling over the PA about their specials and sales within the store. Several people meander about the aisles like zombies. The clerk is interrupted when Veronica (Emma Stone) slams a box down on his checkout lane. It is quickly revealed the two are or were lovers. After an uncomfortable exchange between the two; Veronica storms out. An elderly man walks up to the clerk and asks to use the PA microphone. He gives an impromptu speech about finding true love and how the clerk, Neil (Kieran Culkin), should go after her. The people in the store offer to take his shifts and he flees out the door after Veronica.

Story #3: Victory's Glory - Directed by: Rusty Cundieff

This is the funniest sketch in this movie but it is a one trick pony. Terrence Howard plays Coach Jackson, a basketball coach for a black high school in 1959. He is giving a pep talk to his team in the locker room before the championship game against a rival white school. The team is scared they are no match for the white team but Jackson tells them they have nothing to fear because this is basketball; and they are black. That is the whole story. Jackson continues to tell them that because they are black they will win. Throw in a few references to penis size and you have the entire story.

I wanted to like Movie 43. There are more stars in this film than any other movie I've ever seen. What it comes down to though is that there is nothing going on. There is nothing tying these stories together and they all feel aimless. I believe that some producer of this film has incriminating evidence on all the people involved and that is why they lent their time and effort to the project. There are Oscar winners and nominees in this film. Normally talented people are reduced to caricatures. It is quite sad to watch. I refuse to post any videos related to this film because I don't want to subject you to them but they are out there if you dare to risk your sanity. I would like to apologize to my girlfriend for subjecting you to this. We should have seen Warm Bodies.

No BS

Don't see this movie. Plain and simple.

My Score: 1/10 (there are some cheap laughs)

House of Cards

House of Cards (2013)
Directed by: David Fincher (Pilot)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: n/a

My blog is dedicated to the reviewing of films however I feel that I must discuss House of Cards. The main reason for this is because the pilot felt like a movie. High production values, premium talent, tight and interesting writing, and a supremely engaging plot make this show worth talking about. I am only going to discuss the pilot for two reasons: one, it is the only episode I have watched (as of now) and two, I do not want to spoil anything for myself or anyone else. For those reasons I will review based on what can be inferred from episode one only.

House of Cards centers around South Carolina Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his ploy to oust the newly elected President from office. Underwood is bitter after the promise of the seat of Secretary of State is abruptly taken away by the new Cabinet. His bitterness is justified however because without Underwood's support, Garret Walker (Michael Gill) would never have been elected. Underwood's plan is to start tearing down everyone involved with the new administration; starting with the newly elected Secretary of State, Michael Kern (Kevin Kilner). He plans to do so with the help of his wife, trusted aids, and a driven reporter at the Washington Herald, Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara).

House of Cards does so much right that I cannot see anything wrong. Kevin Spacey is terrific in his role as Frank Underwood. The line between antagonist and protagonist is blurred to the point you'd believe is the the villan and the victim in this story. Underwood routinely breaks the fourth wall to let the audience in on his thoughts. In this trailer, you can get a brief example of how fluidly Spacey delivers his aside.

House of Lies is another show that employs the same tactic. It is used for the same reason but is done in a more flamboyant style. Again, this is an example and can be understood more if you see the whole episode.

Adding to the terrific casting (Robin Wright does her best role in years) the cinematography is spot on for a Fincher film. If you view them carefully, you will see similarities in all of Fincher's movies. The Social Network, Fight Club, Se7en, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, etc all utilize a specific color palette. There is a great article hereif you want to know more. Essentially, Fincher utilizes a number of different greens and blues to get the feel of his movies just right. When you discuss the colors within the parameters of their given films, their significance is striking. Fight Club is grimy and bloody. The sickly greens and muted blues that he uses add to the dirty feeling you get as you watch it. Pay attention to the actual fight scenes in this clip. Notice how they feel different than the others.


Coloration is such an important aspect of film but it is rarely discussed in detail outside of film classes. House of Cards employs a lot of blues. This, I feel, adds coldness to the scenes. You get sold on the fact that D.C. is not a nice place. It's not warm; it's not friendly; it's hostile. I cannot wait to watch the rest of the season!

No BS
House of Cards is a tightly written, wonderfully acted, and brilliantly shot political thriller. If you've enjoyed the numerous John Grisham adaptations then you will easily sink right into the world that has been crafted. There are plenty of blogs out there to binge watching the whole season. Keep in mind there are thirteen episodes, each one is an hour, and it came out five days ago. That's how addicting this show is.

My Score: 9.5/10

Safety Not Guaranteed

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
Directed by: Colin Trevorrow
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

"Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. P.O. Box 91 Ocean View, WA 99393. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before."

Safety Not Guaranteed is one of those films that can be appreciated by anyone that watches it. On the surface it is a quirky comedy about a grocery store clerk named Kenneth (played by Mark Duplass) who is trying to find a trustworthy soul to travel into the past with him. An intern at a magazine in Seattle, Darius (Aubrey Plaza), is selected as one of two people to accompany Jeff (Jake Johnson) in his investigation of Kenneth's unusual newspaper ad. When Jeff, Darius, and Arnau (Karan Soni) arrive in the small beach community where Kenneth lives it is revealed that Jeff has ulterior motives. He has come to the area to rekindle a relationship with a girl, Liz (Jenica Bergere), he once "dated". Jeff attempts to connect with Kenneth but is quickly dismissed when he senses that Jeff is not committed to the cause. Darius then volunteers to try her luck. She succeeds and forms a strong bond with Kenneth. Kenneth informs Darius that he is attempting to travel into the past to save his girlfriend, Belinda (Kristen Bell), from being killed when she is hit by a car. Jeff eventually finds Liz and begins to fall in love with her. However, what is a good dramedy without the drama? See this film!

What I liked the most about Safety Not Guaranteed (other than forcing me to finally learn how to spell guarantee) is that while it is silly at times you can tell that everyone involved absolutely loved the story, and they took the silliness seriously. Watch this interview with Duplass about his character, Kenneth:
**WARNING THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS INTERVIEW**
Duplass talks about the genuineness of Kenneth. "He's a believer". It is refreshing to have someone play a character that is capable of taking things at face value. Someone that doesn't analyze everything. Kenneth's wardrobe throughout the film consists of quite a bit of denim, a mullet, and a headband. To take him seriously is definitely a task but Duplass makes it easy. The only reason you ever doubt his ability to time travel is because of the other characters. That takes talent. Duplass typically makes films, with his brother Jay, in the Mumblecore genre. These films are likened to the cinema movement from Denmark called Dogme 95. I studied these films while in school and their influence on Duplass' films (Cyrus, Jeff Who Lives At Home, Baghead, and others) is evident. They are tough to watch for some because they are...boring. They revel in being real; natural; believable. That's not what we watch films for. We want an escape from boring. This is why Duplass' films don't draw large box office numbers. Do I enjoy them? Absolutely! I thoroughly enjoyed Jeff Who Lives At Home and though that Cyrus was a great project for Jonah Hill to take in an effort to branch out of his comfort zone. Safety Not Guaranteed (along with The League) is Duplass' way of exploring his more comedic side. He is great as Pete on The League!

No BS

Safety Not Guaranteed has something for everyone. There is love, action, comedy, and a dash of hardcore geekery. While the framing of the film is a man looking for a time travel companion the guts of the plot have nothing to do with the actual time traveling. If you've seen Mark Duplass, Aubrey Plaza, and Jake Johnson on their sitcoms (The League, Parks and Recreation, and The New Girl respectively) then this is a great opportunity to see them flexing some artistic muscle.

My Score: 9/10

Cool As Ice

Cool As Ice (1991)
Directed by: David Kellogg
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 8%

Hate Watch - The act of watching something simply for the joy of mocking it. This is not something I do regularly. I can just never bring myself to dedicate time to something that will not enrich my life in any way. Why would I want to watch a terrible movie on purpose? The good people from Mystery Science Theater 3000 and RiffTrax answered that question: because it's fun! As I was looking for things to watch Cool As Ice caught my eye. I had only heard about this movie in hushed tones. I wasn't sure it actually existed. When I saw that it was available OnDemand I got really excited. The only thing I knew about Cool As Ice is that it stars Vanilla Ice and that it was notoriously panned by critics (like everything Vanilla Ice does). Before I start, watch this clip. Trust me, it is worth the 5 minutes. It sets up the movie far better than I ever could.

This movie is INSANE! Literally everything about it is...bizarre. It is ultimately several music videos linked together by an uninteresting plot (which makes sense when the only other work the director has done IS music videos). The movie opens with Johnny Van Owen (I am going to refer to him as Ice in this review because why the Hell not) and his buddies riding motorcycles around the countryside in the early morning. The group sees an attractive woman, Katherine (Kristin Minter), riding a horse. Ice decides to ramp his motorcycle over a fence (because why not) and scares the horse which then throws Katherine off. She is less than thrilled about the fact that she almost went the way of Christopher Reeve and she punches him in the stomach. Because Ice has the mentality of a nine year old he thinks this means she is in love with him. He takes this as the universe's way of saying "Yeah, pursue her". Ice's sweet jump left his bike in less than working order so the group becomes stranded in the nearby town. The plot is similar to Doc Hollywood/Cars. While Ice and his "crew" are stranded in town they make their mark by introducing hip hop and neon colored clothing to the people. Kathy's parents and boyfriend, Nick, see that she is beginning to develop a crush on Ice and they discourage her from spending time with a drifter (because apparently Ice and his gang travel from town to town doing hip hop like hobos with terrible fashion sense but fly dance skillz). After several scenes of shenanigans and Ice motorcycling around town it is revealed that Kathy's father Gordon (Michael Gross) has a secret past. He is living under a fake name because he owes some crooked cops money. Frankly, this whole story was lost on me because I was so distracted by all the colors and weird hair styles. In the end, Kathy and Ice ride off together presumably to live as a duo of motorcycle riding, neon parachute pants wearing, hip hop dancing drifters.

This is what I think Vanilla Ice would do with a copy of Cool As Ice if he were to encounter one (go to about 1:27 in)

This is unfortunate because when aliens ultimately come to Earth to take control of our lives they will need to know that we didn't always take ourselves so seriously.

No BS

Cool As Ice is a truly awful movie but it is awful in a way that you can watch it and thoroughly enjoy yourself. I imagine there is a great drinking game to be invented for it. I bet if I had watching this movie drunk I would have found it much more entertaining and probably a lot more interesting. As it is, if you are looking for something of substance then keep looking. Cool As Ice was obviously intended to be a vehicle for Ice in an effort to secure more fame. Where did it fall short? Watch it and tell me.

My Score: 3/10

Almost Famous

Almost Famous (2000)
Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Almost Famous was lost on me when it was released in 2000. I wasn't paying close attention to dramas so it flew under my radar. I wasn't even aware that the always incredible Cameron Crowe had directed it. A few years after its release I decided to sit down and watch it. I watched Mark Wahlberg's Rock Star instead. It was bad and unbelievably generic. For some reason, I had equated Rock Star with Almost Famous (because they both involve music?) and so I decided to forego watching Almost Famous. I caught bits and pieces over the years and realized that this is a movie I absolutely needed to see. As I was trolling HBO OnDemand today I was blessed with the good fortune of finding it available to watch. I started the download and began to watch what I believe to be Crowe's absolute best film to date. Almost Famous has many MANY things going in its favor; I will discuss three. The music, star power, and believability of the story all contribute to what is a remarkable film.

Before I go into why Almost Famous is so great; I will give a short synopsis. William Miller (Michael Angarano/Patrick Fugit) is an eleven year old boy that is being raised by a conservative yet free spirited single mother (Frances McDormand). His sister, Anita (Zooey Deschanel), leaves home to become a flight attendant in order to escape their mother but she leaves him all of her records. This proves to be a life altering moment for William. She leaves a note in the album sleeve for The Who's Tommy that instructs him to light a candle and listen to the record; you'll see your future. William promptly follows Anita's advice and the film jumps to 1973. William is now fifteen and is an avid fan of all the biggest names in rock and roll music. He has become a talented writer and he routinely sends his published pieces to Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a writer for Creem magazine. William gets a chance to meet Bangs after a radio interview and the two become fast friends with Bangs serving as a mentor to William. He gives William an assignment to write about Black Sabbath. William attends the Sabbath concert that evening and is able to make his way back stage with the opening act Stillwater. Later, William is contacted by an editor for Rolling Stone magazine and is asked to write a piece about Stillwater. Almost Famous shows the audience what it was like to tour with an up and coming rock band in the early 70's and it's amazing.

The 60's and 70's were arguably the best time for music. Yes, the big names from the era gained fame and recognition off the successes of those before them and yes, there has been good music since then but not like this. Almost Famous has the best soundtrack ever featured in a movie (this is a fact). Just check this out. There is so much talent packed into a two hour movie. Perhaps the most significant is the inclusion of Led Zeppelin's That's the Way. Zeppelin is notorious for being incredibly stingy with the licensing of their music. Jack Black had to send a video begging them to allow him to use Immigrant Song in School of Rock. That in itself makes the film special. Also, this:

Any movie where a bus full of people break out into Elton John's Tiny Dancer is great in my book.

The people in Almost Famous are a big reason why I like the film so much. Crowe based much of the material in the film on his own experiences touring with bands in the 70's as a contributor for Rolling Stone and Fugit emulates him perfectly. His naivety and genuineness is endearing. William is a fan that just wants to meet his idols and write about them. Unfortunately, that is not what music critics do. They need to be real; they need to be harsh. Stillwater's lead singer Jeff (Jason Lee) constantly refers to William as "The Enemy" while he is touring with them because he is a music journalist. Jeff knows that it is William's job to write down everything the band does; good and bad. Kate Hudson as Penny Lane is in one of her best roles. As the leader of the Band Aids she is like a head groupie. They follow the band around but they don't sleep with the members. That's what separates them from groupies. It is revealed later, however, that Penny has indeed slept with most of the band including Russell (Billy Crudup) who has become William's main supporter within Stillwater. Jason Lee and Billy Crudup deliver great performances as bandmates struggling for their identity within the group. Perhaps the most notable performance is from Frances McDormand. Her role of protective mother is so endearing that you can't help but love everything she says.

And this:


The third aspect of Almost Famous that makes it such a great film is the believability of the situations. Now, this may seem strange because William is fifteen and touring with a rock band while writing for Rolling Stone magazine. That seems far fetched but it is based on director Cameron Crowe's real life experiences. He toured with The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and others. He also contributed to Rolling Stone during this time. Crowe's life is emulated in William and Fugit does a great job of bringing the emotion and excitement to life. I think the film also benefits from focusing on a smaller band (Stillwater) rather than trying to do a semi biopic about a real, well known band (i.e. Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, etc). These guys didn't have endless amounts of money and they were not known by everyone around the world so it made the scenes with the band more intimate. There was no risk of band history continuity being off. Crowe was able to craft a great story in the vein of the 1970's rock scene.

No BS

Almost Famous is a fun movie. The characters are likable and completely believable. I would absolutely recommend it if you like music from the era and enjoy a good coming-of-age story because that's what it is. Cameron Crowe was able to write and direct his personal coming-of-age and it shows. You feel a connection with William as he experiences everything for the first time (sex, drugs, alcohol, heartbreak, etc). Crowe does an excellent job of making it feel very personal.

My Score: 9/10