Sunday, February 25, 2007
Happy Oscars, Everyone!
It's Oscar time, baby! But just like Christmas, the days leading up to it are the more magical and fun; the actual ceremony is usually a total snooze. But I have a good feeling about Ellen. Not so much about the winners, where predictability has taken over and is not letting up. (Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Forrest Whitaket, and Helen Mirren will all win, as they have won everything else.) Still, the media is pushing the fact that the Best Picture race is up in the air, there is no certain winner. God forbid there be an actual surprise at this scripted ego-masturbation brouhaha.Who will win?
Letters from Iwo Jima: I haven't seen it. Never count out the academy's love affair with Clint, but this doesn't seem to be much of a factor at all anymore. It was the last place nominee, most likely.
The Queen: Its clout seems to all lie with Helen Mirren, even though it is a great movie, not merely one great performance. It has wilted from this race and all the "small-movie" votes it might have syphoned have quickly gone to....
Little Miss Sunshine: This is a contender. And I feel it may win. Been cleaning up many awards lately and I think with the DVD out for some time now, everyone has seen it. Which always helps.
Babel: Buzz was way down on this movie when nominations came out, right? Somehow this movie is frighteningly in the running, despite being a total snooze and having a mediocre storyline. Does anyone want to see this movie again? I find that hard to believe.
The Departed: I feel like this movie might simply be the frontrunner by default. Critically acclaimed all around, huge box-office, the potential year of Scorsese, you can't find any reason not to like it.
But! The academy really doesn't seem to have a problem breaking up the Best Picture/Best Director anymore. They doesn't have to go hand in hand. And if Scorsese is winning Best Director, that may be enough. Can Little Miss Sunshine win without having its directors even nominated though? Does Babel now surge ahead, as a result? ACK! I don't know! Am I longing for some predictability to calm me down?
Final Answer: Sunshine
Friday, February 23, 2007
263 minutes of ego
Acting as if their movies save children from certain death and/or horrible disease, Hollywood's elite will be packing into the Kodak Theatre on Sunday night for the 79th Academy Awards. The telecast, sure to be filled with (1) plenty of back patting for just how great they are, (2) snide remarks about the President and/or elated mentions of Democrat control of Congress and (3) a lot of useless fluff such as songs, dances and speeches about how this Oscar win will break a glass ceiling, or a glass floor, or a glass vase, or a glass managerie, is rumored to be one of the longest (if not THE longest) ever.Why in God's good name must they have an annual awards show that lasts in excess of 4 hours?
I'll probably tune in for the first 30 minutes -- to see Ellen Degeneres do the opening (which likely will be the best part of the show) -- and last 30 minutes -- to see the big awards. Everything in between is purely for Hollywood, the Hollywood wannabes and the movie snobs.
Labels: Academy Awards, Ellen Degeneres
Monday, February 19, 2007
NJ Film Critics Awards: Top Ten Films of 2006
This past weekend I saw Half Nelson, and I decided, with that, I was closing out my movie year 2006. I never saw the Clint Eastwood fanfare Letters from Iwo Jeemz, or Flags of my Fathers. Nor did I see Hot Superman Return, anything animated (Cars, Happy Feet, etc.), or even the new James Bond. Still, I feel perfectly comfortable presenting to everyone the complete list of the Best Movies of 2006, limited collector's edition series. Yet before we begin with the finalized list, I need to set aside one picture, which I didn't feel right categorizing.
Honorable Mention
United 93
I am giving United 93 an Honorable Mention nod, because I just don't know what to do with it. I loved and hated it. From the opening scene with its backdrop of slow, resonant drumbeats, I was wondering why I was watching this, as it was going to be frightening. It was. At the same time, it was intense and thrilling. A very succinct retelling of the early hours of Sept. 11, primarily aboard 93, but the scenes in the air traffic control rooms and war rooms were equally fascinating. The blond army girl on her headset was a heartbreaker. The older passenger who decided to attack the terrorists should have an Oscar nom. I am still wondering how the director knew all of this or if some it was made up. It is bad to say that up until the final minute, I really thought the passengers had a chance? I guess you would have to see it.
United 93
I am giving United 93 an Honorable Mention nod, because I just don't know what to do with it. I loved and hated it. From the opening scene with its backdrop of slow, resonant drumbeats, I was wondering why I was watching this, as it was going to be frightening. It was. At the same time, it was intense and thrilling. A very succinct retelling of the early hours of Sept. 11, primarily aboard 93, but the scenes in the air traffic control rooms and war rooms were equally fascinating. The blond army girl on her headset was a heartbreaker. The older passenger who decided to attack the terrorists should have an Oscar nom. I am still wondering how the director knew all of this or if some it was made up. It is bad to say that up until the final minute, I really thought the passengers had a chance? I guess you would have to see it.10.
Infamous
The other Capote movie. The Capote movie with lesser production values. Part of Infamous feels like the extended SNL parody of Capote. Part of feels like it was made by Christopher Guest. I say that because this movie is funny! At least the first half, which seriously is a hoot. Then Daniel Craig (Bond) comes in and really ruins it with his utter inability to act. But Plucky Toby Jones keeps you invested. I wish he could have won an award for Best Truman Capote in a comedic performance and Philip Seymour would have been Best Truman Capote in a dramatic performance. Jones's Capote is over the top and it is wonderful. Still, the second half drags. The 10th spot on my list my just have easily gone to Thank You for Smoking or Stranger Than Fiction, but I saw this one most recently.
9.
Sherrybaby
Maggie Gyllenhaal is the real deal. In the past 6 weeks, I have seen Sherrybaby, Stranger than Fiction, and Happy Endings, and in all of these she was captivating. Not to mention, her strong buzz in World Trade Center. Anyhow, Sherrybaby is the close examination of her plight to stay sober and win back her baby. She really lifts what would be an otherwise drab movie with very little plot, but her character study is compelling enough. She is fierce, funny, weak, unlikable, likable and painfully tragic all at once. She, too, should have an Oscar Nom, but then there's Meryl, Oy.
8.
Akeelah and the Bee
This brings me to one of a handful entirely fun and memorable experiences in a movie theater this year. The Pot and I saw this in the semi-ghetto. It had been ages since I was in a theater where people clapped. It is a good feeling. Everything about this movie was heartwarming; everyone should see it. Akeelah, her little semi-love interest Javier, were endearing. Angela Basset, entirely underappreciated in this, was pretty fierce. Thumbs up for this spelling bee drama that sucks you in til the very end. And could the end be any cuter? No. This movie was produced by Starbucks and I still loved it!
7.
Snakes on a Plane
Say what you will. This movie is fun. Very fun. Very very fun. You may have heard the few fans of this movie say "It is so bad, it's good." Unfortunately, they are wrong. This is just a flat-out good movie. Entirely ridiculous, but so what? Snakes delivers on everything promised and expected and hoped for. Like any good horror movie, it is hilarious, pretty scary, and you will jump out of your seat. I wish I could see it again for the first time. I was delighted. If you need any more evidence, I adhere to IMKA senior MF (we have the same birthday) who said to some naysayers: "Snakes on a Plane was such a good movie and I will tell you why. There wasn't a single minute whent I wasn't happy." Probably the most on target thing he ever said. And have you seen the video?
6.
Children of Men
There were so many reasons why I shouldn't have loved this movie. It was political. And there were more gunshots than I think have ever been in a movie. Despite all this, a very beautiful movie came out of it. Good vs. evil. The individual vs. the man. A bit of hope in a world of doom. Clive Owen is dashing, the story is sensational, and expertly avoids every potential trap towards extreme cheesiness. And there is a lot! Sci-fi enough (or not, depending on your perspective) to appeal to your inner Matrix, and at the same time, Clive Owen trenches the depths much more than Keanu. Kee, robbed of an Oscar nom.
5.
The Queen
This is pretty much labeled the Helen Mirren show, which is part correct, but part overlooking the real story: A pretty slick retelling of the Princess Diana death from a perspective I don't think anyone knew about. This could have been a documentary and it would have been riveting. In an uncanny depiction of the Queen Mum, Mirren is wonderful, subtle, and gives us everything we need to know about this woman with a single look or tilt of her head. Wasn't expecting to find this as great as it is. Glad to be proven wrong. Shout out to Tony Blair. Holla! And the English landscape!
4.
The Departed
Another movie I really shouldn't have liked as much as I did. Uber violent and quintessentially chock full of the Martin Scorsese F-Bomb. But this movie was thrilling and just plain awesome. I have said it once before and I will say it again, whoever wrote this used up a lot of notecards to create such a dizzying story that totally fit at every scene. I credit the writer first, Scorsese second, and Leo third. Sure Matt Damon was good, but his character really didn't have the pull that Leo's did. A very butch movie for me. And I will further say that the one female part in this movie wasn't even close to being my favorite. Well done all around.
3.
Little Miss Sunshine
Ok, I am going to reveal too much of myself here, but I think I cried during 75% of this movie when I saw it. The opening scene of tubby, nerdy Olive watching and imitating Miss America killed me and it was all over. Every time they started that van and the music played, I got teary. I have no idea why. It was just too touching. I am thinking about this movie a lot now and wondering if it was gimmicky or over the top or frivolous, but I am going to trust my initial judgment. This is such a great story and stellar performances all around. Arkin and Breslin and Dano, yes color-blind, mute by choice Paul Dano. The music by Devotchka is the third director here. And I have since learned that if you don't see a good movie in the theater, the extent of its goodness barely translates to DVD.
2.
Pan's Labyrinth
Finally, the just adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Well, maybe not exactly, but close enough. What a terribly sad yet captivating movie. I have read so many analyses of this and I am yet to really agree with any of them; all theorizing what or who is the real monster here and why this girl retreated into her magical world in order to cope with fear. I don't even care. At face value, this is a perfect children's fairy tale, where the scariest imaginative things don't seem scary to kids, per se, that's just how things are. Spanish maid Mercedes fully deserved an Oscar nom. I think I need a blog about how Jennifer Hudson stole nominations that could have belonged to many others, but she got it because she sang one song and was bossy. Still, let's keep it to Pan's. Child star Ivana Banquero ascends beyond Abigail Breslin, sorry Olive, and lingers somewhere with Half Nelson's Shareeka Epps in formidable performances by kids.
1.
Notes on a Scandal
This movie is being placed at number one for many reasons. Primarily it just has everything in it. It is frequently hilarious and contains some of the most wonderful sentences I have heard all year. A flat out insane performance by Judi Dench is going down in history and this movie will become a sleeper cult classic on par with Mommie Dearest and Dolores Claiborne. Everything is quotable. It is fun; it is frightening; and there is more intensity in this 90 or so minutes than imaginable. Best of all, Notes somehow manages to blend full on campy fun with high-brow literary artsiness. Pretty unheard of, right? A jaw dropping climax, literally and the soundtrack of the year, which as you know (or maybe you don't) only makes a movie more stupendous for me. The Pan's soundtrack was equally glorious, actually it was better.
OK, thanks for reading. I will try to be briefer in the future. Oscar picks soonish.
Infamous
The other Capote movie. The Capote movie with lesser production values. Part of Infamous feels like the extended SNL parody of Capote. Part of feels like it was made by Christopher Guest. I say that because this movie is funny! At least the first half, which seriously is a hoot. Then Daniel Craig (Bond) comes in and really ruins it with his utter inability to act. But Plucky Toby Jones keeps you invested. I wish he could have won an award for Best Truman Capote in a comedic performance and Philip Seymour would have been Best Truman Capote in a dramatic performance. Jones's Capote is over the top and it is wonderful. Still, the second half drags. The 10th spot on my list my just have easily gone to Thank You for Smoking or Stranger Than Fiction, but I saw this one most recently.Sherrybaby
Maggie Gyllenhaal is the real deal. In the past 6 weeks, I have seen Sherrybaby, Stranger than Fiction, and Happy Endings, and in all of these she was captivating. Not to mention, her strong buzz in World Trade Center. Anyhow, Sherrybaby is the close examination of her plight to stay sober and win back her baby. She really lifts what would be an otherwise drab movie with very little plot, but her character study is compelling enough. She is fierce, funny, weak, unlikable, likable and painfully tragic all at once. She, too, should have an Oscar Nom, but then there's Meryl, Oy.8.
Akeelah and the Bee
This brings me to one of a handful entirely fun and memorable experiences in a movie theater this year. The Pot and I saw this in the semi-ghetto. It had been ages since I was in a theater where people clapped. It is a good feeling. Everything about this movie was heartwarming; everyone should see it. Akeelah, her little semi-love interest Javier, were endearing. Angela Basset, entirely underappreciated in this, was pretty fierce. Thumbs up for this spelling bee drama that sucks you in til the very end. And could the end be any cuter? No. This movie was produced by Starbucks and I still loved it!7.
Snakes on a Plane
Say what you will. This movie is fun. Very fun. Very very fun. You may have heard the few fans of this movie say "It is so bad, it's good." Unfortunately, they are wrong. This is just a flat-out good movie. Entirely ridiculous, but so what? Snakes delivers on everything promised and expected and hoped for. Like any good horror movie, it is hilarious, pretty scary, and you will jump out of your seat. I wish I could see it again for the first time. I was delighted. If you need any more evidence, I adhere to IMKA senior MF (we have the same birthday) who said to some naysayers: "Snakes on a Plane was such a good movie and I will tell you why. There wasn't a single minute whent I wasn't happy." Probably the most on target thing he ever said. And have you seen the video?6.
Children of Men
There were so many reasons why I shouldn't have loved this movie. It was political. And there were more gunshots than I think have ever been in a movie. Despite all this, a very beautiful movie came out of it. Good vs. evil. The individual vs. the man. A bit of hope in a world of doom. Clive Owen is dashing, the story is sensational, and expertly avoids every potential trap towards extreme cheesiness. And there is a lot! Sci-fi enough (or not, depending on your perspective) to appeal to your inner Matrix, and at the same time, Clive Owen trenches the depths much more than Keanu. Kee, robbed of an Oscar nom.5.
The Queen
This is pretty much labeled the Helen Mirren show, which is part correct, but part overlooking the real story: A pretty slick retelling of the Princess Diana death from a perspective I don't think anyone knew about. This could have been a documentary and it would have been riveting. In an uncanny depiction of the Queen Mum, Mirren is wonderful, subtle, and gives us everything we need to know about this woman with a single look or tilt of her head. Wasn't expecting to find this as great as it is. Glad to be proven wrong. Shout out to Tony Blair. Holla! And the English landscape!
4.
The Departed
Another movie I really shouldn't have liked as much as I did. Uber violent and quintessentially chock full of the Martin Scorsese F-Bomb. But this movie was thrilling and just plain awesome. I have said it once before and I will say it again, whoever wrote this used up a lot of notecards to create such a dizzying story that totally fit at every scene. I credit the writer first, Scorsese second, and Leo third. Sure Matt Damon was good, but his character really didn't have the pull that Leo's did. A very butch movie for me. And I will further say that the one female part in this movie wasn't even close to being my favorite. Well done all around.Little Miss Sunshine
Ok, I am going to reveal too much of myself here, but I think I cried during 75% of this movie when I saw it. The opening scene of tubby, nerdy Olive watching and imitating Miss America killed me and it was all over. Every time they started that van and the music played, I got teary. I have no idea why. It was just too touching. I am thinking about this movie a lot now and wondering if it was gimmicky or over the top or frivolous, but I am going to trust my initial judgment. This is such a great story and stellar performances all around. Arkin and Breslin and Dano, yes color-blind, mute by choice Paul Dano. The music by Devotchka is the third director here. And I have since learned that if you don't see a good movie in the theater, the extent of its goodness barely translates to DVD.Pan's Labyrinth
Finally, the just adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Well, maybe not exactly, but close enough. What a terribly sad yet captivating movie. I have read so many analyses of this and I am yet to really agree with any of them; all theorizing what or who is the real monster here and why this girl retreated into her magical world in order to cope with fear. I don't even care. At face value, this is a perfect children's fairy tale, where the scariest imaginative things don't seem scary to kids, per se, that's just how things are. Spanish maid Mercedes fully deserved an Oscar nom. I think I need a blog about how Jennifer Hudson stole nominations that could have belonged to many others, but she got it because she sang one song and was bossy. Still, let's keep it to Pan's. Child star Ivana Banquero ascends beyond Abigail Breslin, sorry Olive, and lingers somewhere with Half Nelson's Shareeka Epps in formidable performances by kids.1.
Notes on a Scandal
This movie is being placed at number one for many reasons. Primarily it just has everything in it. It is frequently hilarious and contains some of the most wonderful sentences I have heard all year. A flat out insane performance by Judi Dench is going down in history and this movie will become a sleeper cult classic on par with Mommie Dearest and Dolores Claiborne. Everything is quotable. It is fun; it is frightening; and there is more intensity in this 90 or so minutes than imaginable. Best of all, Notes somehow manages to blend full on campy fun with high-brow literary artsiness. Pretty unheard of, right? A jaw dropping climax, literally and the soundtrack of the year, which as you know (or maybe you don't) only makes a movie more stupendous for me. The Pan's soundtrack was equally glorious, actually it was better.OK, thanks for reading. I will try to be briefer in the future. Oscar picks soonish.
Labels: movie
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
If I see one more teacher . . .
. . . interviewed on the news saying that weather related school closings are all about keeping students home and safe and not about yet another day off for teachers, I think I'll scream. Or maybe cry? Something!Labels: schools, snow, teachers
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Deal or No Deal
The Pot and Kettle's favorite gay former New Jersey governor (Jim McGreevey, in case you couldn't figure that one out) filed for divorce from his wife, Dina Matos McGreevey, on Friday February 2, 2007. Stating that the couple's 26-month separation "has continued to the present time and there exists no reasonable prospect for reconciliation," McGreevey asked that the New Jersey Superior Court end their marriage. He also mentioned in his complaint that he and Dina entered into a settlement agreement on January 12, 2007 "which resolves all issues pertaining to custody, parenting time, alimony, child support, equitable distribution and counsel fees."Seems amicable, right?
Well, it seems Jim spoke out of turn:
"I note from news accounts of my husband's filing that he claims we have reached a comprehensive agreement. That is not true," Matos McGreevey said through her lawyer, John N. Post. "We continue to have profound differences about what our daughter should be exposed to, and until they are resolved, there will be no agreement."
The "[w]hat our daughter should be exposed to" bit seemed a little odd. What is Dina afraid the kid will be exposed to? Two gay men? Yikes, not that!
Alternatively, maybe Dina just wants to drag this out until her book, The Silent Partner, is released in May. We won't lie -- we're hoping that she tells some dirty little secrets that Jim left out of his snoozer of a book.
Labels: Dina Matos McGreevey, divorce, Jim McGreevey, New Jersey
