My 2014 personal Oscar picks, predictions, and pondering
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle
The indomitably charming J-Law is America's 'It Girl' right now and as a result, an awards show darling (she's already snagged the Golden Globe.) She gave new meaning to nuance in last year's Silver Lining Playbook and fully deserved her Best Actress Oscar win. In American Hustle she's unhinged, funny, and entertaining. But let's not automatically celebrate every solid performance by a tremendously talented actress as groundbreaking work.
Should she be nominated? I don't hate it.
Contender? Yes. Should she win? No. Especially in a year with such a strong body of actresses' work, the wealth of praise should be spread around. Much love to J-Law, but frankly, she was outgunned this year.
Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine
Sally's performance is gritty, realistic, complimentary, yet independently gratifying in a role dominated by Cate Blanchet's disturbed tour-de-force as the titular Blue Jasmine.
Should she be nominated? Yes.
Contender? Yes
June Squibb in Nebraska
I disliked June Squib's nagging matriarch role at first because this is how Nebraska purposefully presents her. I eventually realized that her blunt demeanor belied the only real strength of character of anyone in the movie. After Nebraska's first hour this strength is much appreciated. There's one dominant scene of her exerting said strength that alone earns her this Oscar nom. June Squibb is ancient, which is always a boon for award hopefuls. But this is not just a recognition nod for a veteran actress before she nods off into the big sleep. It's very much deserved.
Should she be nominated? Yes
Contender? Yes
Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave
I had to hear this poor girl get whipped almost every day (due to the fact that I work for an independent movie theater). Her screams of agony are powerful, but it's the hurt, the terrified hope, and the naked humanity in her quieter moments that ring so hauntingly true.
Should she be nominated?: Yes
Contender? Yes
Julia Roberts in August: Osage County
Another movie I have unfortunately yet to see, so I will withhold all commentary/judgement. But we all know America loves Julia Roberts. Mystic Pizza 4 eva! (May or may not have been my 8th grade screen name.)
Snubs:
None!
There was some buzz for Jennifer Garner in Dallas Buyers Club, but her perfectly solid performance was ultimately, not Oscar worthy. I hear some woman named Oprah is pretty good too, but alas, I haven't seen The Butler.
Will Win: Lupita Nuong'o
My Pick: Lupita Nyong'o
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Michael Fassbender in 12 Years a Slave
A truly scary performance as a slave owner, whose ignorance and insecurity is translated through sadistic acts of violence. Michael fully commits himself to his character's evil intensity, and the result is phenomenal.
Should he be nominated?: Yes.
Contender?: Absolutely.
Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club
The Academy loves when actors physically transform themselves for a role (see Oscar love for Bale & McConaughey), and you can't get much more transform-y then Jared Leto becoming a woman in Dallas Buyers Club. That being said, Leto is unrecognizably amazing as Rayon, a transgendered AIDS victim, and his performance is full of such bright energy, that casts the shadow of his impending tragedy all the larger.
Should he be nominated?: Of course.
Contender?: DUH
Barkhad Abdi in Captain Phillips
Somali Immigrant? Check. Former blue collar worker? Check. Face made for radio? Check (he actually was a radio DJ). Token black guy nomination? Maybe. All due respect to Mr. Abdi's acting ability, but the Academy loves this sort of came-from-nothing back story. Abdi brings a commendable realism to Captain Phillips, but there are several other worthy actors pushed out of a nomination in his place.
Bradley Cooper in American Hustle
Bradley Cooper excels at playing characters who overcompensate for mental ticks or insecurities with manic energy, wacky efforts, and schemes (a routine I suspect the real Bradley Cooper is all too familiar with). In American Hustle, he plays a nobody FBI agent who takes great effort to perm his hair, work exciting cases, and make bold & flashy moves in an otherwise unremarkable life. He is quite entertaining in his latest effort, but despite the vulnerable choice of a hair perm, I would of liked to see more expository moments for a character very similar to Cooper's Silver Linings Playbook protagonist (Although, lack of exposition can mostly be attributed to script, not Cooper himself.)
Should he be nominated?: There's better options.
Contender?: No.
Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street
Jonah Hill in Money Ball: A solid performance overpraised with an unwarranted Oscar nomination, in a bid to attract younger viewers to the Academy Awards, at the conclusion of a rather lousy year for movies. Jonah Hill in a lot of other movies: A total goober. Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street: Fucking epic. As commanding as his costar Leo is, Hill makes this movie with his delightfully wacko performance as Leo's partner in crime. I have a newfound respect for a guy who can no longer just be considered a chubby comic, but a certifiably committed character actor.
Should he be nominated?: Absolutely.
Contender?: Yes
Snubs:
While his co-stars enjoy ample praise, and the entire cast of American Hustle won a SAG award for best ensemble, where's the love for Jeremy Renner? He anchored the film by imbuing his character with a human commonality that made him seem both approachable, and completely familiar. I'd nominate him over Cooper. Jake Gyllenhaal delivered a nuanced and appreciably idiosyncratic performance in Prisoners, that would earn him a nod from me. And how about a nod to the late and great James Gandolfini for his masterfully restrained performance in the under-appreciated, Enough Said? It wouldn't just be condolences, it would be deserved. Gandolfini milked more from a silent stare than most actors could milk from Tarantino's wittiest banter.
Will Win: Jared Leto
My Pick: Three way tie- Jonah Hill/ Michael Fassbender / Jared Leto
I can't be forced to pick one. They're all so damn good.
BEST ACTRESS
Meryl Streep in August: Osage County
Can't really comment, because I have yet to see the movie, but from the trailers, there seems to be a lot of 'watch with guilty glee as America's most venerated actress says uncouth things, for example, "You look like a lesbian!" Oh, the novelty! What do I know though? Meryl Streep is obviously the best there is. Does she really need another nomination? You tell me.
Judi Dench in Philomena
Old folks loves Judi Dench. She's like Beyonce for octogenarians. She's right up there with bargains, chocolate, and 'the good old days,' in the pantheon of elderly adoration. Judi Dench plays old ladies with spunk, and her demographic experiences a vicarious thrill from watching their idol say spunky things. I always find Dench dependable, rarely extraordinary (She has a history of being nominated for simply solid fare, see her in Shakespeare in Love.) She scores above her average here, in an unabashedly sentimental human interest story.
Should she be nominated?: Not one of my top picks.
Contender?: No.
Amy Adams in American Hustle
Amy Adams always impresses. Also, she's adorable. But that's besides the point, (or is it?) So it shouldn't come as a surprise, that her con-woman role in American Hustle has earned her 5th (yup, 5!) Oscar nomination. In what is essentially more of an ensemble acting showcase than taut thriller, she is arguably the biggest delight in a cast of heavy hitters. Adams manages to infuse a character who makes a living deceiving people, with a sort of desperate innocence. No easy task. Marry me, please Amy… I mean good luck!
Should she be nominated?: Yes
Contender?: Yes
Sandra Bullock in Gravity
Sandra basically plays an uptight doppelgänger of her Speed character, in a just as frenetic, if slightly more serious movie. Sandra successfully proves not only that a science-fiction action movie can succeed on the merit of its visceral prowess, with minimal exposition or dialogue, but also that a woman can anchor a survival movie, perhaps better than the rest of them (see this year's All is Lost starring Robert Redford, essentially the same, inferior film).
Should she be nominated?: I'm ambivalent.
Contender: On the films popularity, and Sandra's likability, yes.
Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine
When I first saw Blue Jasmine this past summer, I found the movie so abrasive, it hindered my enjoyment. A lot of that stems from just how unlikable Blanchett's titular Jasmine is. I also recall thinking, I don't care how good a performance another actress gives this year, I won't see any better than Blanchett's here, perhaps ever. Still feel that way. Blanchett gives a performance to end all.
Should she be nominated?: Duh.
Contender: No real contest.
Snubs:
I have not seen Saving Mr. Banks, but I hear the always amazing Emma Thompson gives one of her best performances. And the biggest snub goes to Scarlett Johansson, whose voice-only performance is not even eligible for an acting Oscar, and yet she gave the most resonant performance by an actress that I've witnessed (er, heard) in recent memory. She is the heart and soul of Her.
Will Win: Cate Blanchett
My Pick: Cate Blanchett
BEST ACTOR
Christian Bale in American Hustle
Bale adds another impressive piece of method acting to his resume that's in the same conversation with American Psycho and The Fighter, as one of the best performances of Bale's career. Bale only seems to get better. Dare I say he's among the best actors of his generation. It's almost as if Terminator Salvation was but a sick fever dream of Bale's iconic Psycho, Patrick Bateman. What's appreciable about this role, is Bale's uncharacteristic utilization of restraint and subtlety. Every time you expect him to go all "I LIKE YOU BRO, BUT WE'RE FUCKING DONE PROFESSIONALLY" and savagely rip out an antagonist's jugular, he holds back, and the result is a performance fueled by alternative resources, that feels novel amongst Bale's other work.
Should he be nominated? Yes
Contender?: No. Competition too steep.
Bruce Dern in Nebraska
I wish I was more familiar with Dern's work, other than in a "Hey, I know that guy!" kind of way. He pulls off a major acting coup in Nebraska, as a man whose facade of cold simplicity, encases a complicated depth of regret, good intentions, and wounded psyche. A performance laced with latent feeling.
Should he be nominated? Yes.
Contender? Yes.
Matthew Mcconaughey in Dallas Buyers Club
The 'Mcconaisance' is in full swing. Time to drink the sweet southern Kool-Aid people! A perpetually charming actor, formally self-relegated to the platitude ridden purgatory of banal romantic comedies (See Fool's Gold, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past etc, I mean, EVERY TIME YOU SEE ONE OF THESE MOVIES, AN ANGEL GETS SYPHILIS AND DIES.) His career seemed to adhere to the mantra of his iconic Dazed and Confused character, Wooderson, except his audience grew older and weary of his schtick, and Mcconaughey stayed the same age. Well, I say this with a straight face… Matthew Mcconaughey has matured into my favorite working actor today. Want proof? Look at his body of work since The Lincoln Lawyer: Killer Joe, Mud, Dallas Buyers Club, Wolf of Wall Street, and his amazing new show True Detective. It's hard to find a performance so committed to character and the spirit of a movie, as MM's turn as AIDS victim Ron Woodruff in Dallas Buyers Club. His weight loss for the role is the least of his total, unwavering transformation.
Should he be nominated? Yes
Contender? Yes
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave
Of all these performances, Chiwetel Ejiofor's role as embattled slave, Solomon Northup, has the least flashy character persona, the least juicy dialogue, the most balanced demeanor, and is thus, arguably, the most impressive performance of the year. Ejiofor plays Northup as a stoic survivor. Ejiofor's Northup (realistically) does not have any climactic breakdowns in response to the tragic plight of his circumstances, (Also known as BIG ACTING MOMENTS, to Academy voters). Northup suffers in the monotonous progression of days. In a twisted perversion of a comedy duo, Ejiofor plays this captured slave as a sort of straight man, to the overbearing evil that surrounds him. In lieu of a 'BIG ACTING MOMENT,' Ejiofor's most resonant scene (and one of the finest bits of acting I've ever seen) comes near the end of his ordeal… He says nothing, just silently stares into a personal abyss for what is only a minute, but feels like an eternity.
Leonardo Dicaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street
My man Leo is criminally under appreciated. He stole Django Unchained last year with his against-type turn as a charismatically evil slave trader. He was robbed of an Oscar for the troubled double agent, Billy Costigan, in The Departed. Ever hear of Body of Lies? Didn't think so. Well Leo plays a beleaguered CIA operative, abused by his handlers, and the result is riveting. As corrupt stockbroker Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, Leo is incendiary. Leo deserves an Oscar. Unfortunately, what might be his most fantastic performance yet, comes in a year stacked with amazing performances from his peers. If he won, I'd be all for it. But he won't win. Don't worry though, Leo will get his one day. Until then, I'll never let go Jack.
Should he be nominated? Yes
Contender? Yes
Snubs: If it were possible, Matthew Mcconaughey would win Best Actor across all mediums for True Detective. He's that good in it. As far as reality goes, Tom Hanks was dependably great as Captain Phillips, but it takes a backseat to the other performances nominated.
Will Win: Matthew Mcconaughey
Should Win: Chiwetel Ejiofor
BEST PICTURE
Gravity
Swap the bus with a space suit jetpack, Keanu with Clooney, and Dennis Hopper with a speeding cloud of projectile space-junk, and Gravity is basically a glorious science-fiction Speed sequel, to forever crush the shame of Speed 2: Cruise Control. Gravity was an impressive piece of film-making. I found it pretty darn cool and entertaining. I don't quite understand the figurative orgasm it has inspired in legions of viewers and critics, however. I have a legitimate theory that my lack of fanboy fervor over Gravity can be attributed to the fact that I don't smoke marijuana. Gravity is a cool movie, but you're all high if you think it's the "BEST FRIGGING MOVIE OF ALL TIME"- some pothead on my Facebook feed.
Should it be nominated? Ok, sure.
Contender? To satiate public desire, yes it is. It shouldn't be though.
Philomena
I already told you that old folks love Judi Dench. So is it any wonder that they also love Philomena? I should know. I work in a theater, where old people flocked in eager herds, as if there was a once in a lifetime sale on scooter chairs. Philomena is also a biopic, critical of the Catholic church, and a touching human interest story. So is it any wonder that Philomena is enjoying Oscar love (nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screen Play)? Guess what? The majority of Academy voters are elderly. And no one wines and dines these old folks like Harvey Weinstein & company (producers of the film). Philomena is a solid movie, that's been graded higher than it really is, on a public curve of sentimentality and social responsibility.
Should it be nominated? No.
Contender? No.
Captain Phillips
Solid action/adventure fare with a pinch of social commentary. But it pales in comparison to similarly themed movies, like Black Hawk Down. So why does Captain Phillips deserve a Best Picture nod?
Should it be nominated? No.
Contender? No
12 Years a Slave
12 Years a Slave is a perfect example of one of those amazingly powerful movies, that has very little likelihood for repeat viewings. The subject matter is too brutal. It's refusal to pull any punches too intimidating. The movie's implications too uncomfortable. It's not a movie I'll watch 3 times a year and quote with reckless abandon. But it is a movie that deeply affected me. 12 Years a Slave belongs to that special club of movies that leaves an impression on you. It should not be punished for its bold commitment to unflinchingly portray the darkest period in American History. In many ways, 12 Years a Slave is actually a horror movie… the scariest one I've ever seen.
Should it be nominated? Yes
Contender? Yes
Dallas Buyers Club
Dallas Buyers Club doesn't really have a plot. Ostensibly, it is the story of a macho cowboy who contracts AIDS from unprotected sex with a woman. The cowboy starts procuring illegal medication to fend off the inevitable, and inadvertently becomes a resource and symbol of resistance in the AIDS community. I'm not criticizing DBC, I liked it immensely. I'm just trying to say that Dallas Buyers Club is more a profile of fear, dread, and unsavory realities, than a linear story.
Should it be nominated? Yes
Contender? Yes
The Wolf of Wall Street
I have some mixed feeling about The Wolf of Wall Street. Read my full review here.
Should it be nominated? Yes
Contender? No
Nebraska
A folksy father-son tale that evokes memories of Fargo, and inspires deeper contemplation of what constitutes a meaningful life, when all is said, and done. I liked it a heck of a lot.
Should it be Nominated? Yes
Contender? No
American Hustle
A perfectly competent heist movie, with superb atmospherics, but is really more of a showcase for excellent acting. I enjoyed it. But I enjoy lots of movies. This one isn't as special as a lot of people are making out.
Should it be nominated? Yes
Contender? No
Her
Quite possibly my favorite movie of the year. Touching. Heartbreaking. A treatise on what constitutes consciousness and what constitutes love. It will make you think about every relationship you've ever had. And that's not a bad thing. Human beings should always be learning new things about the stuff they already 'know'.
Should it be nominated? Yes
Contender? It should be, but unfortunately it has no realistic chance to win.
Snubs:
I would have liked to seen nominations for both, Prisoners, and The Place Beyond the Pines, over the likes of Captain Phillips and Philomena. Prisoners is a taut thriller that sticks with you, and The Place Beyond the Pines is an epic generational tale that is so unique.
Will Win: 12 Years a Slave
Should Win: 12 Years a Slave
It's not my personal favorite of the year, but a film of such historic magnitude deserves such recognition by the Academy.
See what I did there? With the Title? If you have seen the film you will know how unoriginal that really was. Anyway, I started watching Argo a few weeks ago and turned it off out of boredom. I felt like I was watching a bad Oliver Stone film, the camera angles changing every few seconds and no shot lasting longer than 5. However after the film won an oscar for best picture I thought I would watch the whole thing, just to see if it deserved such an award.
As I mentioned, the opening of the film is hard to get through and painful to the eye. Its certainly not a visual feast, more like a visual punishment. After 15 minutes or so of Iranian protesters charging into a united states embassy in Tehran, we finally see a story coming along. So if you haven't seen it yet, try and sit through the first part of the film. Basically what happens is 6 americans escape from the Iranians and avoid being taken hostage. They are then taken in by the canadians and are hiding out the home of the canadian ambassador. Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), a CIA exfiltration expert, comes up with the idea to shoot a fake movie in Iran in order to gain access to the country and bring back the 6 americans that are in hiding. Pretty simple right? Its really not much story for a 2 hour film, and its quite obvious while your watching it. The shooting of the fake film should be the highlight of the story but we don't get to see much of it, I guess it would take away from the actual crisis in the story. The film seems to be full of fillers. Scenes of Tony Mendez's ex-wife and son, unnecessary scenes of Iranian children and of course the very long intro. Its really not a fast paced film despite all the fast paced camera work. There were many moments that I questioned the relevance of certain scenes.
So after all that (apologies if you actually liked Argo), I'll say what I liked about it. First of all, the dialogue was brilliant. Every line was sharp, witty and well thought out. The kind of writing that makes you wish you had that wit, but in real life. So kudos to Chris Terrio, hopefully he will start writing for films more often. Alan Arkin plays an old hollywood superstar and his performance was great, but it was quite brief. Ben Affleck was good to watch, as usual, but didn't really have much character to work with. The scenes in hollywood were really funny, the mocking of the show business worked really well in the film. Ill also just say that the use of suspense in the film is fantastic. The director (also Ben Affleck), managed to make each scene in the escape quite nerve racking.
So the verdict? Good. The film was good. If you want to sit down and be entertained for a couple of hours then go nuts. But it wasn't meaningful or moving, I wasn't thinking about it for hours after watching it. It wasn't a piece of art, or a protest. It was just another box-office hit. So why did it win an oscar for best picture? Well as far as I can tell, any picture about an important part of american history has a pretty good chance of winning. As does any picture based on a true story. Argo not only ticks those two boxes, its also a film about the alliance between Canada and America. And we have a winner. No, the film isn't oscar-worthy, but if it sits well with the majority then so be it. Surely Lincoln, The Master and Life of Pi are all better movies than Argo. But I digress.
So while everyone loves to talk about who wore what and how crazily high Tarantino was (as expected I mean seriously? When is he NOT high). I thought i'd just feature some of our awesome Canadians who made this year's Oscars extra special.
Okay, so we can't claim MacFarlane but I really wish we could. He was an excellent host.
1. William Shatner
William Shatner
Born: March 22, 1931 in Montreal, Quebec
Reprising his role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk, William Shatner's assistance in the opening monologue was a definite highlight for this year's Oscars. This was a great tip of the hat to the neglected genre of sci-fi. Also I just enjoyed seeing Billy in that uniform again.
2. Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Born: December 13, 1929 Toronto, Ontario
Okay so this Academy Award winner from last year's entrance was probably the most comedic moment of the night. MacFarlane's Sound of Music Gag was fantastic.
What are some things both of these actors have in common? Well they both debuted at the Stratford Festival in Ontario. They both were in the mediocre Star Trek film The Undiscovered Country.
3. Life of Pi
This film as Ang Lee very briefly mentioned was written by the Canadian author Yann Martel. It won the Man Booker prize in 2002 and now the film adaptation has 11 Oscar nominations and 4 Oscar wins to its credit.
4. Argo
So saving the best for last another Canadian story takes the cake. This film won Best Picture! We got a couple "Thank you Canada's" as well which was nice considering we did 85 percent of the work. We're too polite to complain although I'm sure we've politely pointed out that they over emphasized the role of the CIA by a mile to make it sell. Who wants to watch a movie where Canada's role is bigger than the states anyway?
Interested in hearing more about Canada's Oscar Wins? Let me know and I'll keep 'em coming.
How gorgeous did Cynthia Wade (left) look on the red carpet last night at the The Oscars? We are so lucky to have such great talent here in the Berkshires!
In interviews before the Oscars, host Seth MacFarlane had revealed his hopes of striking a balance between respect for Hollywood and some necessary sass – I personally think he accomplished just that despite the fact that practically every critic is rushing to proclaim just how badly he did last night.
