Showing posts with label oscars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oscars. Show all posts

Sunday, February 15, 2009

'Frozen River'


I've always enjoyed Melissa Leo's work starting with 'Homicide: Life on the Streets'.
Her performance here is certainly Oscar worthy.

The film itself taught me something. It took me to a place I did not know existed. It introduced me to people I only heard about in passing. Therefore, I say it is a wonderful film. Worth a watch.


'The Visitor'



Caught up with this nominee on DVD. It is certainly worth a watch. One of those small but surprising films.
Richard Jenkins in a quiet role gives an Oscar worthy performance here.




Friday, February 13, 2009

Nominees: The Glamour Shots*



*courtesy of entertainment weekly

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

OSCARless To Date

Here are a handful of OSCARless actors. There are others of course but these are, were, most deserving.
Some for the obvious reason will never win.

Hopefully one of these will leave this illustrious group on February 22nd.

I wonder who I mean?!?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

'Frost/Nixon'



It appears I spoke to soon. 'Frost/Nixon' is the weak link in the Best Picture and Director Oscar nominations.
It is a cold look at the most disgraceful presidency ever in American history.
This is a movie that would have been a natural for HBO not a theatrical release
Just a frosty look at a cold man. No new insight. No nothing!
'Revolutionary Road', 'The Dark Knight', 'Mamma Mia' or 'The Duchess' should have been in the fifth spot.



Thursday, February 5, 2009

'Milk'



With only one nominee for Best Picture yet to see I can happily say this year the Academy seems to have gotten it right.

'Milk' is just great.
It has an amazing supporting cast headed by Sean Penn in his most amazing performance to date. Like Kate Winslet he just keeps getting better. Here he performs in a way we have never seen him before. Understated, controlled and in complete grasp of the character and his performance.

I just do not get the supporting nomination of Josh Brolin over James Franco. A minor quibble I guess.
With one to go, 'Frost/Nixon', I can only say any of the four already blogged and reviewed could win and should win with no quibbling on my part. So far I say give them all an Oscar. Never happen!!!







Sunday, February 1, 2009

'The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button'


Another brilliant film in what appears to be a great year for films.

This is so curiously different.

It's long but never boring or dull. I cannot think of a single frame that could have been cut and kept it's perfect flow.

Brad Pitt has never been better. Cate Blanchett delivers another amazing performance.
Tilda Swenton shines in a low key supporting role.
Julia Ormond is amazingly graceful as Caroline THE daughter.

But it is Taraji Penda Henson who really breaks out in a most deserved oscar nominated role. She just may be the one to beat in the end game.

David Fincher follows up 'Zodiac' and one of my favorites 'Seven' with award worthy direction. In another year when there was no 'Slumdog Millionaire' he could have won.






Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Best Picture Winners 1950's




'Rachel Getting Married': THE WORST MOVIE OF 2008!!!

This film for all it's critical acclaim is a one huge BORE!
Don't ask. Most importantly don't go. Don't bother when it's released on DVD or shows up on cable.

Ann Hathaway for Best Actress??? DUH!
I don't get it. Nor will most of you.








THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS FILM IS THAT IT BROUGHT DEBRA WINGER BACK ONCE MORE. HOWEVER, I MUST ADMIT DEBRA HAS A PRETTY SMALL AND MOSTLY THANKLESS ROLE.


Sunday, January 25, 2009

'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE' LIVES UP TO THE HYPE

I HATE GOING TO A FILM THAT HAS BEEN HYPED AND REWARDED AS THIS ONE HAS.
THERE IS A GENERAL LETDOWN FOR ME.

NOT IN THIS CASE. THIS FILM IS DIFFERENT, UNEXPECTED AND NOTHING SHORT OF BRILLIANT.

WITH A FEW MOVIES LEFT TO GO I NOW PUT THIS AS FRONT RUNNER FOR BEST DIRECTOR.

'THE READER' STILL HAS MY VOTE FOR BEST PICTURE.
BOTH DESERVE TO BE AWARDED IN EVERY WAY THOUGH.


Friday, January 23, 2009

OSCARS PAST

Starting today i'll be blogging past Oscar Winners as a lead up to Oscar Night February 22nd.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

'Gigi' is #9

The year was 1958. The film was the first written by Lerner and Lowe who had the Broadway hit 'My Fair Lady' running on Broadway at the time. And what a gift they gave to us. And what a beautiful film it was and remains. Wat a score. Damn what a beautiful score! I can generally find a song or two in every score that just doesn't do it. There is not one misstep in this score. Hell there is not one frame in this film that has a misstep. What brilliant casting. Leslie Caron was the perfect pick for Gigi. The role had been offered to Audrey Hepburn who had played the role on Broadway but turned it down. I think it worked out fine. Leslie's french accent just added the right note. Louis Jordan was the perfectly perfect Gaston. Maurice Chevalier was his charming self. And last but not least the one and only and often underrated Hermione Gingold as Gigi's aunt Madame Alverez. The amazing thing is not one of these actors were Oscar nominated. What makes it all the more amazing is that 'Gigi' was nominated for, and won, eight Oscars including picture and director. So who the hell did winning director Vincente Minnelli direct?


Well enough. I am proud to have this in my top ten. You know as each year passes another film could replace any of the nine already cited. I guess it's fair to say I hope for and want better films looking forward. But for 2008 'Gigi' is still here.





Screen Caps.







Some More Stills.








The publicity stills.