The main focus of talk in the movie world today is yesterday's announcement of the nominees for the 2013 Academy Awards ceremony being held on February 24th. The question that is always on everyone's mind is "Who will win?" But before that conclusion is reached, people such as I critique the nominees. Therefore, lets discuss the nominees that deserved the recognition!
But, alas, there will also be a place of discussion for those who fall into the category of the ones who got HOSED!!!
The latest film I've seen was Django Unchained. Quentin Tarantino is unique in his style of filmmaking that feel similar and different to the genres that he pays tribute to. One of the best things about this homage to the Spagehtti Westerns of the 1960s and 70s is the cast. I was hoping at least one cast member would be recognized because they were one of the most energetic casts I've seen in a film! Luckily, Christoph Waltz would once again be noticed for his performance in a Tarantino movie! His role as a bounty hunter who is both polite and a bad-ass was just as comically entertaining as his nasty Nazi from Inglourious Basterds. It is great to see actors who appear as if they are having fun acting out their roles the way Waltz does here!
Unfortunately, the praise does not last long because of the disappointment upon finding out the Academy did not notice Leonardo DiCaprio in probably his most villainous role to date. Instead of giving his life for a girl whose nude portrait he painted, DiCaprio is the complete opposite this time around. After all, he is playing a heartless slave owner. It is truly a shame because of the way the actor is successful in playing against type. It is as if the Academy only wants to see him play the types who have heart. It seems that almost every year there is at least one performance from an actor/actress who brilliantly play a character different from their past roles and are ignored when it comes to the big daddy of film awards. DiCaprio was this year's example of that.
The Dark Knight Rises was probably the most highly-anticipated film of last summer. The main buzz going around was whether or not it would be better than its predecessor, The Dark Knight. It was a lot better than I imagined it to be! Although Tom Hardy was terriffic as Bane and had the best lines, I had a feeling it would be hard to top Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning portrayal of The Joker. But I still felt the film should have been nominated in one or two categories. The cinematography, for example, was well done, especially since the film brought about the Batcopter. Batman saved Gotham City and scored hugely at the Box Office, but he was unable to capture any nominations. I feel that a highly anticipated film that grosses millions of dollars and is the film people all over are eager to view should at least get a little recognition from the Academy.
There are many contributors to the sucess of profitable moneymakers such as The Dark Knight Rises that make them worht watching because of the hardworking effort that goes into bringing about an action-packed and entertaining extravanagnza that the Christopher Nolan directed Batman films are known for. It is the same Batman who's been entertaining fans since 1939, but in a more realistic form. The Batman reboots would not have been successful if it weren't for the people associated with them who deserve the credit for helping to create the hit films that they are.
There are many contributors to the sucess of profitable moneymakers such as The Dark Knight Rises that make them worht watching because of the hardworking effort that goes into bringing about an action-packed and entertaining extravanagnza that the Christopher Nolan directed Batman films are known for. It is the same Batman who's been entertaining fans since 1939, but in a more realistic form. The Batman reboots would not have been successful if it weren't for the people associated with them who deserve the credit for helping to create the hit films that they are.
Hitchcock is being recognized for its achievement in the makeup that transforms Anthony Hopkins into the Master of Suspense. Makeup is a favorite category of mine because of the talent the artists have to make actors look like characters who are real or fictional. The resemblance to the director is similar in the way that you don't recognize Hopkins.
The actor has had his share of portraying actual people and is one of those actors who comes off strong even in the weakest of material. But Sir Anthony was unable to cap a nomination for his performance where he is able to be both comical and serious in this recreation of the glory days of Hollywood. At least the makeup has been discovered as an accomplished element in this depiction of the days when the great filmmaker showed that staying in the Bates Motel is not a good idea.
The actor has had his share of portraying actual people and is one of those actors who comes off strong even in the weakest of material. But Sir Anthony was unable to cap a nomination for his performance where he is able to be both comical and serious in this recreation of the glory days of Hollywood. At least the makeup has been discovered as an accomplished element in this depiction of the days when the great filmmaker showed that staying in the Bates Motel is not a good idea.
Kathryn Bigelow continues to explore the world of war with her controversial look at the hunt for Osama Bin-Laden, Zero Dark Thirty. Her new vision of war has received four nominations, yet Bigelow has failed to receive attention for leading the way. There has been controversy stating the way the director depicts the event does not connect with what actually occurred.
Bigelow was able to vividly depict the war in Iraq in The Huret Locker. Now, it seems as if people may tire of having her make films about this topic because she is not being accurate. Movies based on fact are not always true to the events they are based upon. Films are not always intended to display life as it is. Whether real or not, Bigelow has once again achieved a realistic view of recent events that should be recognized more when it comes to the part she played as director.
Bigelow was able to vividly depict the war in Iraq in The Huret Locker. Now, it seems as if people may tire of having her make films about this topic because she is not being accurate. Movies based on fact are not always true to the events they are based upon. Films are not always intended to display life as it is. Whether real or not, Bigelow has once again achieved a realistic view of recent events that should be recognized more when it comes to the part she played as director.
While Kathryn Bigelow's directorial chores have been ignored, the Academy has recognized Steven Spielberg for bringing Lincoln to the big screen. Talk about a director who's come a long way since he first broke into feature films in the mid 1970s. Along with films such as Schindler's list, Saving Private Ryan, and The Color Purple, Spielberg has long avoided being stuck filming Science-Fiction and adventure films. He prevails especially with historical films.
Lincoln continues to establish Spielberg as a versatile director capable of tackling different type of films and preventing people from just thinking, "That's the guy who does films like E.T. and the Indiana Jones series." There is more to the man than what he was first known for.
Lincoln continues to establish Spielberg as a versatile director capable of tackling different type of films and preventing people from just thinking, "That's the guy who does films like E.T. and the Indiana Jones series." There is more to the man than what he was first known for.
Another split opinion lies in the category of Best Animated Feature Film. Two of the most unique animated features of the past year were Wreck-It Ralph and Rise of the Guardians. Both are visually stunning in their ways of taking storytelling to a new level with two interesting storylines: video arcade characters having their own life and children characters teaming up to stop the Boogie-Man.
Wreck-It Raph is like Toy Story taking place in an arcade. The characters, idea, and animation are all wonderful to look at as it takes inanimate characters and treats them as if they were human. Disney once again takes us into a world where audiences think to themselves, "What if?" It is great to wonder about the possibilities of fiction becoming reality.
Rise of the Guardians takes characters such as Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, and the Sandman and portrays them like a group of superheroes without coming off in a ridiculous manner. They are fictitious, yet the film is able to make them possess human-like qualities. They are determined to protect the children who look up to them. Rise of the Guardians depicts these characters in a different fashion that is one of the freshest ideas I've seen in any film.
Both animated films bring about a split opinion in that only one of them has been nominated. The fact Rise of the Guardians was ignored is disappointing because of the story it brings about and how energetic it is with larger-than-life characters. The Academy should be more aware of ideas like this. But praise is given to them as well for recognizing Wreck-It Ralph. However, there should be more of an eye towards creativity in the animation area when it comes to presenting an award in that field of motion picture entertainment.
Wreck-It Raph is like Toy Story taking place in an arcade. The characters, idea, and animation are all wonderful to look at as it takes inanimate characters and treats them as if they were human. Disney once again takes us into a world where audiences think to themselves, "What if?" It is great to wonder about the possibilities of fiction becoming reality.
Rise of the Guardians takes characters such as Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, and the Sandman and portrays them like a group of superheroes without coming off in a ridiculous manner. They are fictitious, yet the film is able to make them possess human-like qualities. They are determined to protect the children who look up to them. Rise of the Guardians depicts these characters in a different fashion that is one of the freshest ideas I've seen in any film.
Both animated films bring about a split opinion in that only one of them has been nominated. The fact Rise of the Guardians was ignored is disappointing because of the story it brings about and how energetic it is with larger-than-life characters. The Academy should be more aware of ideas like this. But praise is given to them as well for recognizing Wreck-It Ralph. However, there should be more of an eye towards creativity in the animation area when it comes to presenting an award in that field of motion picture entertainment.
Now ends the period of priases and whines! The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has done a decent job with their choices of nominees. They have announced their chocies earlier than in the past. Was it too early to decide? Maybe and maybe not. The split opinions listed present na uneven feeling from me that consists of satisfaction and disapproval.
The Academy Awards has always been a ceremony in which films deserve the award and/or recognition and some have not. We shall find out in February who walks away with the gold. And we may also enlist in anger management classes for taking the fact our favorites didn't win seriously. It is just an awards show! But even entertainment awards can feel like the Superbowl when your favorites lose.
The Academy Awards has always been a ceremony in which films deserve the award and/or recognition and some have not. We shall find out in February who walks away with the gold. And we may also enlist in anger management classes for taking the fact our favorites didn't win seriously. It is just an awards show! But even entertainment awards can feel like the Superbowl when your favorites lose.