Some of my favorite movies aren't always seen as "great" films, but I decided to make a short list of some of the movies I think everyone should see, at least once, that were made in the past few years or so. Again, in no particular order:
1. The Life of David Gale
2. Fight Club
3. Crash
4. Identity
5. The Orphanage
6. Donnie Darko
7. Domino
8. Requiem For A Dream
9. The Prestige
10. Slumdog Millionaire
11. Blood Diamond
12. American History X
13. The Dark Knight
14. Fried Green Tomatoes
15. Benjamin Button
16. Braveheart
17. Gladiator
18. Man On Fire
19. Finding Nemo
20. Memento
And some older ones..
1. Stand By Me
2. The Untouchables
3. The God Father Part 2
4. Cool Hand Luke
Highlights II
Actor Watch
Philip Seymour Hoffman- This guy is definitely a one-of-a-kind actor today. He has a very unique style of acting, and seems to have a certain mixture of dramatic/comedic elements reminiscent of Jack Nicholson. Capote was definitely an excellent performance, but I enjoyed him the most in Almost Famous and Charlie Wilson's War.
Actress Watch
Kate Winslet- My second favorite actress right now, every film that she is in I normally make certain to go see. Every performance is heartfelt, and different. She hardly plays similar roles (much like the other Cate). Maybe that's why I am so impressed by her, even if the movie she is doesn't quite capture my attention (Revolutionary Road) her performance can shine through. That alone proves her ability.
Actress Watch
Disappointing Films
So in my last post I mentioned how some films, after receiving a ridiculous amount of hype, become major disappointments upon actually seeing them. My example being Alice In Wonderland, although it proved to be visually outstanding, it unfortunately lacked some deeper substance. Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones was scrutinized in much of the same way as well. Searching the web, thanks to Google, I read over other critics' and bloggers' opinions of the most disappointing films that they had seen. Although I didn't full agree with all of them, these are seven that pretty much popped up on everyone's list.
In no particular order..
Spider-Man 3
The God-Father Part 3
The Village
Godzilla
Speed 2
Waterworld
All the Star Wars prequels
Here's some other different opinions on disappointing films as well
-The Top Tens
-Cinema Blend
In no particular order..
Spider-Man 3
Here's some other different opinions on disappointing films as well
-The Top Tens
-Cinema Blend
New Robin Hood
Is anyone else excited to see Russell Crowe kick @$$ again? I KNOW I AM. He's teaming back up with Ridley Scott, who directed American Gangster, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, and of course, Gladiator. I've admittedly watched this trailer too many times to count, and haven't been this stoked over a movie release since probably before I went to see Avatar. It seems as if the trend for the last few years has been to re-make older films, sometimes not all that old, which can result in more hype than actual quality (Alice in Wonderland?). However, I have hope for this film; it should be an epic noteworthy drama intertwined with over the top but necessary action sequences. I'm first in line.
Highlights
Actor Watch
Leonardo Dicaprio
One of my favorite actors, if not my actual favorite. Versatility is something that I think is important, and pretty much every actor and actress I mention on here has it, but this guy is a master of it. Just as Kate Winslett, he handles languages with ease and switches accents in almost every film he is in. Nominated for three Academy Awards (Actor- Aviator, Blood Diamond, Supporting- What's Eating Gilbert Grape) , it still amazes me that he has not won yet, or twice even. I still think he got snubbed on nominations for Catch Me If You Can and Titanic, but his performances still shine. Who knew that the kid from Titanic would currently be rising to one of the best Actors of his time, especially after that movie The Beach...
But anyway, my favorite performances include:
Gangs of New York
Catch Me If You Can
Blood Diamond
The Departed
Titanic
Shutter Island was a great film to see as well, which was his most recent. There's also a lot of buzz about the upcoming film, Inception, which I am looking forward to seeing.
Actress Watch
Cate Blancett
An actress whose played a wide range of roles from Bob Dylan (I'm Not There- one of my favorites) to Queen Elizabeth to an elegant dancer, catching the eye of a man who ages backwards (Benjamin Button). Almost everything Blanchett does I think is a stellar performance, and she's one of the few people to be nominated for two Academy Awards in the same year. She's beautiful too, especially if you saw her in Benjamin Button, enough said. One could argue that because of that I am biased, but watch these films and tell me for yourself:
I'm Not There
Elizabeth & Elizabeth: The Golden Age
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Babel
The Aviator
Here's a clip from her performance in I'm Not There
Leonardo Dicaprio
One of my favorite actors, if not my actual favorite. Versatility is something that I think is important, and pretty much every actor and actress I mention on here has it, but this guy is a master of it. Just as Kate Winslett, he handles languages with ease and switches accents in almost every film he is in. Nominated for three Academy Awards (Actor- Aviator, Blood Diamond, Supporting- What's Eating Gilbert Grape) , it still amazes me that he has not won yet, or twice even. I still think he got snubbed on nominations for Catch Me If You Can and Titanic, but his performances still shine. Who knew that the kid from Titanic would currently be rising to one of the best Actors of his time, especially after that movie The Beach...
But anyway, my favorite performances include:
Gangs of New York
Catch Me If You Can
Blood Diamond
The Departed
Titanic
Shutter Island was a great film to see as well, which was his most recent. There's also a lot of buzz about the upcoming film, Inception, which I am looking forward to seeing.
Actress Watch
Cate Blancett
An actress whose played a wide range of roles from Bob Dylan (I'm Not There- one of my favorites) to Queen Elizabeth to an elegant dancer, catching the eye of a man who ages backwards (Benjamin Button). Almost everything Blanchett does I think is a stellar performance, and she's one of the few people to be nominated for two Academy Awards in the same year. She's beautiful too, especially if you saw her in Benjamin Button, enough said. One could argue that because of that I am biased, but watch these films and tell me for yourself:
I'm Not There
Elizabeth & Elizabeth: The Golden Age
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Babel
The Aviator
Here's a clip from her performance in I'm Not There
And the Oscar (should) go to...
Who will win and who should win, or who should also be nominated, sometimes falls under two different categories. The Academy permanently rests in between a rock and a hard place, unfortunately for them, because there are always people who both hate their decisions (Kate Hudson getting snubbed for "Almost Famous") and agree ("Crash" WAS the best film of 2004). So here goes a slightly more thorough prediction list, with a few of my sidenotes to top it off.
Best Picture
Will win: It's a toss up between 'Up In the Air' and 'Avatar' although something tells me it will be 'Avatar.'
Should win: 'Avatar', you can't possible ignore the now highest grossing film of all time and how groundbreaking it is in general.
Best Director
Will win: Whether Avatar wins or not I'm pretty sure Cameron will snag this award.
Should win: For me, either Quentin or James Cameron.
Best Actress
Will win: Sandra Bullock for 'Blindside'
Should win: I'm not sure Sandra's performance WAS the best of the year, Meryl Streep was my personal favorite, but I'll still go with Bullock.
Best Actor
Will win: Jeff Bridges is a given
Should win: I'm not even worried about who should WIN this category, where is Robert Downey Jr.? But I guess Bridges deserves something, finally
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Mo'Nique
Should win: ditto
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Christoph Waltz
Should win: ditto
Best Animated Film
'UP' obviously. Although, all the films were excellent in my opinion.
I don't have the time or patience to post up all the other categories, although I will say Avatar may sweep everything away, it may. Overall this year is pretty predictable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes the actual broadcast less interesting. However, the predictability has nothing to do with the quality of work that we had as movie goers this past year. Go see 'Star Trek', I had to mention it at least once.
Best Picture
Will win: It's a toss up between 'Up In the Air' and 'Avatar' although something tells me it will be 'Avatar.'
Should win: 'Avatar', you can't possible ignore the now highest grossing film of all time and how groundbreaking it is in general.
Best Director
Will win: Whether Avatar wins or not I'm pretty sure Cameron will snag this award.
Should win: For me, either Quentin or James Cameron.
Best Actress
Will win: Sandra Bullock for 'Blindside'
Should win: I'm not sure Sandra's performance WAS the best of the year, Meryl Streep was my personal favorite, but I'll still go with Bullock.
Best Actor
Will win: Jeff Bridges is a given
Should win: I'm not even worried about who should WIN this category, where is Robert Downey Jr.? But I guess Bridges deserves something, finally
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Mo'Nique
Should win: ditto
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Christoph Waltz
Should win: ditto
Best Animated Film
'UP' obviously. Although, all the films were excellent in my opinion.
I don't have the time or patience to post up all the other categories, although I will say Avatar may sweep everything away, it may. Overall this year is pretty predictable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes the actual broadcast less interesting. However, the predictability has nothing to do with the quality of work that we had as movie goers this past year. Go see 'Star Trek', I had to mention it at least once.
Image Test II
A Few Early Oscar Predictions...
Admittedly, watching awards shows is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. After being mostly successfully in predicting the winners of the 2010 Golden Globes Awards, I devised a few predictions for Oscar night that I am sure are "shoo-ins." Yes, it's a little bold to make a call before the nominations are even announced, but I have confidence in the three categories I'm calling right now . Unlike the Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director awards, which are currently in a three way horse race, the awards for Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Actor are pretty much safe to place a bet on.
What [I think] I know:
Best Supporting Actress goes to Mo'Nique for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
(which also won Longest Title of the Year)
After seeing her in the movie "Domino" a few years back, I had an inkling that she might come out and do some good acting. She was the best thing about this film, making it worth watching, at least for the first time.
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for "Inglorious Basterds"
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
Now, I haven't seen the film, but the buzz surrounding his performance, combined with him being long overdue for an Oscar, makes it a certain win. Not to mention Bridges is one of the greatest actors of his generation. The Academy has had quite a habit of awarding people of similar situations throughout its history.
What I really don't know:
Best Picture: "Avatar" vs. "The Hurt Locker" vs. "Up In the Air"
(should be nominated: "Up")
I know it's a good year for the Silver Screen when I'm juggling about five or six films for my favorite of the year.
Best Director: James Cameron-"Avatar" vs. Kathryn Bigelow-"The Hurt Locker" vs. Quentin Tarantino-"Inglorious Basterds"
Best Actress: Possibly Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side", who seems to be the crowd favorite. I honestly don't think it would go to Meryl Streep although her rendition of Julia Child was nothing but brilliant in "Julie & Julia." The new girl from "An Education", Carey Mulligan, I think actually stands a chance as well.
Don't be shy to tell me what you think.
Admittedly, watching awards shows is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. After being mostly successfully in predicting the winners of the 2010 Golden Globes Awards, I devised a few predictions for Oscar night that I am sure are "shoo-ins." Yes, it's a little bold to make a call before the nominations are even announced, but I have confidence in the three categories I'm calling right now . Unlike the Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director awards, which are currently in a three way horse race, the awards for Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Actor are pretty much safe to place a bet on.
What [I think] I know:
Best Supporting Actress goes to Mo'Nique for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
(which also won Longest Title of the Year)
After seeing her in the movie "Domino" a few years back, I had an inkling that she might come out and do some good acting. She was the best thing about this film, making it worth watching, at least for the first time.
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for "Inglorious Basterds"
I'm glad that this film will at least win one award, especially for a man who manages to kick @$$ in how many different languages?
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
Now, I haven't seen the film, but the buzz surrounding his performance, combined with him being long overdue for an Oscar, makes it a certain win. Not to mention Bridges is one of the greatest actors of his generation. The Academy has had quite a habit of awarding people of similar situations throughout its history.
What I really don't know:
Best Picture: "Avatar" vs. "The Hurt Locker" vs. "Up In the Air"
(should be nominated: "Up")
I know it's a good year for the Silver Screen when I'm juggling about five or six films for my favorite of the year.
Best Director: James Cameron-"Avatar" vs. Kathryn Bigelow-"The Hurt Locker" vs. Quentin Tarantino-"Inglorious Basterds"
Best Actress: Possibly Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side", who seems to be the crowd favorite. I honestly don't think it would go to Meryl Streep although her rendition of Julia Child was nothing but brilliant in "Julie & Julia." The new girl from "An Education", Carey Mulligan, I think actually stands a chance as well.
Don't be shy to tell me what you think.
Image Test I
I am seriously anticipating the march release of Tim Burton's latest team up with Johnny Depp, Alice in Wonderland. Just one look at this picture:
And who WOULDN'T be psyched to experience an acid trip simulated through the big screen. Colleen
Atwood, one of the whose who among costume designers these days, has had an undeniable eye for the oddly appropiate attire in many of Tim Burton's collabo's with Depp, such as "Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Barber of Fleet Street", "Big Fish", "Sleepy Hollow", and the cult classic "Edward Scissorhands." Of course, she jumped back on board with Burton for "Alice in Wonderland", which I'm not complaining about at all: props to the rest of the visual art departments (including hair and makeup) for helping put together this next Burton (hopeful) triumph. Seeing yet another bizarre and pleasently dark performance by Depp definitely doesn't bother me either; I don't see it getting old any time soon. Maybe I'm assuming too much (and well all know what happens when you ass-u-me) about a film that hasn't been released yet, especially since there has been plenty of disappointments over the past year. An impressive trailer and a bunch of hoop-la doesn't equal a great film. Either way, I'm betting it's going to be another eerie film worth watching.
Speaking of disappointments, take a second to vote in the poll over there on the right, "Biggest Let Downs: 2009" and tell me what you think. Remember that these, in my opinion, are the biggest disappointments, not that they are the worst films of 2009, although perhaps one or two of them would make my list anyway.
Atwood, one of the whose who among costume designers these days, has had an undeniable eye for the oddly appropiate attire in many of Tim Burton's collabo's with Depp, such as "Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Barber of Fleet Street", "Big Fish", "Sleepy Hollow", and the cult classic "Edward Scissorhands." Of course, she jumped back on board with Burton for "Alice in Wonderland", which I'm not complaining about at all: props to the rest of the visual art departments (including hair and makeup) for helping put together this next Burton (hopeful) triumph. Seeing yet another bizarre and pleasently dark performance by Depp definitely doesn't bother me either; I don't see it getting old any time soon. Maybe I'm assuming too much (and well all know what happens when you ass-u-me) about a film that hasn't been released yet, especially since there has been plenty of disappointments over the past year. An impressive trailer and a bunch of hoop-la doesn't equal a great film. Either way, I'm betting it's going to be another eerie film worth watching.
Speaking of disappointments, take a second to vote in the poll over there on the right, "Biggest Let Downs: 2009" and tell me what you think. Remember that these, in my opinion, are the biggest disappointments, not that they are the worst films of 2009, although perhaps one or two of them would make my list anyway.
To sum it all up...
This blog is primarily going to focus on film, providing news, reviews, critiques, and my opinion on certain visual media. Since film IS an art form, I am aware that not everyone will agree with my point of view, but isn't that the beauty of it all?
Information on the latest (or oldest) movies and documentaries can be found in a wide variety of places on the internet, my favorite websites include: Internet Movie Database, Rottentomatoes, Roger Ebert Reviews, and AMC Films.
Information on the latest (or oldest) movies and documentaries can be found in a wide variety of places on the internet, my favorite websites include: Internet Movie Database, Rottentomatoes, Roger Ebert Reviews, and AMC Films.
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