2016 Oscar Picks

Well, this morning we were greeted with the list of nominees for the 88^th annual Academy Awards. For the most part, I think the Academy got it right, actually picking the best in each category, but as usual, there are a few snubs. Below you will find my picks for all the major categories, and any comments I have on what I feel are the biggest snubs.

Original Score- Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Production Design- Mad Max: Fury Road

Visual Effects- Mad Max: Fury Road

Film Editing- The Big Short

Original Screenplay- Spotlight

Snub- Steve Jobs (Aaron Sorkin) - When you have the best writer in the business write a script that is arguably one of his best, you expect an Oscar nom. Bridge of Spies was a good film, but the script doesn’t come close to what Sorkin did for Steve Jobs.

Adapted Screenplay- The Martian

Animated Feature- Inside Out

Directing- Alejandro G. Innaritu

Snub- Ridley Scott (The Martian) – This one is the biggest of all. The Martian is being praised as one the best of the year, and that all falls onto Sir Ridley Scott. The directing was absolutely brilliant, and let’s be honest, The Big Short was an excellently edited and acted film, and props go out to Adam McKay for transitioning to drama, but come on!

Cinematography- Sicario

Supporting Actress- Rachel McAdams (Spotlight)

Supporting Actor- Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight) OR Sylvester Stallone (Creed)- I honestly can’t pick.

Snub- Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) and Jacob Tremblay (Room)– Tom Hardy is a rear talent. He is great in every type of role he plays, but Idris Elba brought it to new level, and leaving him out sends the wrong message.

Jacob Tremblay, in my opinion was the lead actor in Room. That said, they are calling it a supporting role, but he still is not getting the recognition he deserves. His performance, playing off mostly one other person in one room was beautiful.

Lead Actress- Brie Larson (Room)

Lead Actor- Leonardo DeCaprio (The Revenant)

Film- Spotlight

Snub- Creed, Ex Machina or Steve Jobs – Yes, I think these legitimate snubs, only because Bridge of Spies was nominated. I have never been shy about my love for Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks may be my favorite actor of all time. Bridge of Spies is not Best Picture material. Any of these three films should have had that last spot.

13 Hours: The Secret of Michael Bay's Return

Let's be honest. We all assumed this movie would be another Pearl Harbor, or a less blockbuster-y Transformers. In other words, a classic Michael Bay film. When I heard that Bay was given the rights to direct a movie about a true American tragedy, I was legitimately worried that he would disgrace the heroes he was portraying. He didn’t.

Yes, there is a stylized tracking of an RPG and yes, the explosions are epic in scale, but they fit in seamlessly with the narrative. Unlike Pearl Harbor, the characters' individual storylines are not only TRUE, but are the backdrop to the real events, not the other way around. Unlike Transformers, the quips and minor comedy are used to break tension, not as a plot device, and for the most part it works.

Another surprise was John Krasinski. His performance as Jack Silva, a retired SEAL, contracted with CIA was ten times better than I expected, and man did he commit! The entire cast was great, and most of the plot points hit their mark (except for the Joseph Campbell bit, which seemed too heavy handed for me).

I still think Transformers 5 will suck, and so will 6,7 and 8 when he inevitably announces that he is coming back to direct. HOWEVER, if in between those he finds time to tackle more projects like 13 Hours, I think the film community may need to find a new butt for their jokes.

The Revenant- Oscar Season Review #3

These days, when you you here the name Leonardo DeCaprio, you think big. When you here about Tom Hardy, you think WOW. when you hear Domnhall Gleeson you say "MORE!" Combine all that with the greatness of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, and you get a true beauty.

It has all the parts you expect in a masterpiece. Beautiful tracking shots, performances for the ages and even a bear attack! The cinematography is absolutely breathtaking, as we have come to expect from Inarritu, and the visual storytelling is what all films should aspire to.

Is it a lock for a best picture nom? Not in today's day and age, but it is most probable. It is a lock, however, for Leo to get a nom for Best Actor, and I think he may finally get it.

Top Ten Films of 2015

When ranking the Top Ten films of 2015, I felt it was important to step away from my fanboy nature and really look objectively at the films we were given. If I were to make a list of my favorite movies, Star Wars would undoubtedly be number one, followed by Creed, but this list is of how I view the BEST films of the year, based on the overall product, not how it personally related to my fandom. That being said, here is my list.

Honorable Mentions: Sicario, Steve Jobs, Room, 

10. Creed

With a lot of the same beats as the original ’76 Rocky, this pseudo-spinoff/sequel tries to stand on its own, while relating back to its predecessor, and it does it, just as Adonis Johnson/Creed does in the film. Ryan Coogler scores big with this reboot, and hopefully he has more Creed to come.

9. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

JJ Abrams breathes new life into a film franchise that suffered a few major heart attacks in the form of four theatrical releases (three prequels and the Clone Wars animated movie). An altogether fun, nostalgic and fast paced thriller that invites fans back into the galaxy they so sorely missed.

8. Inside Out

Pixar can do (almost) no wrong. This animated masterpiece takes a not so original idea to new places. The performances of Amy Poehler , Bill Hader and Lewis Black are complimented by a heartfelt storyline bound to make grown men cry… Bing-Bong Bing-Bong

7. The Revenant

Alejandro Innaritu is back with yet another breathtaking film, this time featuring a cast that just can’t be beat. Tom Hardy and Domnhall Gleeson have been in everything this year, and they deserve it too, but nothing can compare to the outstanding, Oscar worthy performance of Leo. This MUST be his year. He has been denied until now, but I think he finally got it.

6. Mad Max: Fury Road

After a 30 year break, George Miller, 70, jumps right back into his post-apocalyptic earth with beauty. While some criticize the film for being more about Charlize Theron’s Furiosa than Hardy’s Max, it seems more like it was the natural progression of the film, and it was done perfectly. Costume, set design and cinematography overshadow the lack of heavy plot for a true visual pleasure.

5. The Big Short

Steve Carrel and Christian Bale shine  in acclaimed comedy director Adam McKay take on the true events of the ’08 Housing Crisis. McKay hits the nail on the head, using his comedy background to be informative without coming off pretentious.

4. Brooklyn

Saorise Ronan and Domnhall Gleeson (again) bring forth this raw emotional story that will leave you with an ear-to-ear smile. The story of Eilis Lacey immigration to Brooklyn (a town I am somewhat familiar with) is both compelling and easy to enjoy.

3. The Martian

Ridley Scott helms this masterful cinematic experience, and reminds us who he is and what we can expect. Matt Damon does his own take on Cast Away, with his ability to mix the comedy and drama of being alone on Mars for year.

2. Ex Machina

The biggest surprise of the year, Alex Garland brought us this subtle commentary and modern take on the concept of Artificial Intelligence, and the galaxy defying chemistry between Oscar Isaac and Domnhall Gleeson plays out exquisitely. Alicia Vikander stands out in what may be the most on-point portrayal of A.I. in film to date.

1. Spotlight

A true tour de force, the entire cast should be nominated, as well the writer and director. The story of the child- sex scandal in the Boston Catholic Church may be a rough subject to handle, and that does come through, the ability to get that point across, while focusing on the discovery rather than the outcome, is a accomplishment not to be ignored. 

Brooklyn- Oscar Season Review #2

As a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, NY,  I went in to this film with expectations of excellence, and it delivered. The film feels like an old time novel that a High School teacher makes you read and you end up really enjoying. It was expertly portrayed, contextualized and displayed, makin me feel at home in a world set years in the past. (setting in Brooklyn College, where I currently attend, doesn't hinder this.)

Saorise Ronan stand out in her role as an Irish immigrant in NY, and the seemingly ever present Domnhall Gleeson in superb in his small role.

Watching this really reminded me of the year I spent abroad, and how I dealt with my homesickness. It deals with that as well as death, a love triangle, and even roommate rivalry, all expertly depicted.

I don't see this film winning anything special, but it definitely deserves a nod or two.

Spotlight- Oscar Season Review #1

In this, the first of my Oscar prep screenings, I can't imagine seeing something better. It is a really tough subject to handle, but Todd McCarthy really nails it. 

The film tells the story of Spotlight, the investigative division of the Boston Globe, discovering and uncovering the horrors of the Sexual Abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in Boston. The film brilliantly does not shy away from telling this story, driving a hard, riveting tale. It focuses not on the victims and how they deal(t), though it dos not graze over this, but rather zooms in on how it affected the reporters, each as individuals, and the lawyers and judges involved as well. It broadens the scope, while keeping the story neat and compact.

Michael Keaton shows again that he is a force to be reckoned with, and Liev Schreiber brings it, but the real stand outs are Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo. I would not be surprised if the two of them took home best supporting actor/actress, in addition to the film's inevitable screenplay Oscar. 

Star Wars: Alive 'n Kickin' (Spoiler Free)

     It is hard to put to words the feeling I had watching this film. There was an Awakening, and I felt it. We all felt it. and then I felt it again two days later, and I will feel it again later today. I felt it everywhere. It surrounded me, in the form of the palpable excitement of the entire world. It penetrated my feelings, making me feel every emotion an the spectrum. It bound the galaxy together in Theaters across the globe, smashing box office records and leaving us united in the knowledge that STAR WARS IS BACK, BABY!

    That being said, I must point out that it was by no means a perfect film, and it was kind of a retread of A New Hope (to be clear, I don't mind that at all, in fact it makes perfect sense). JJ and Co. had quite a tall order to fill, and it seems they did. They made a fan's film, made by the fans, for the fans, but it was Star Wars in every way. The fan service was there, and quite so, but it wasn't so much that you felt like it was fan service. There are plot issues and inconsistencies, as are to be expected in most any film. Interestingly, after all the hate of the political nature of the Prequels, I feel like this film could have used a bit of political exposition. (perhaps here is where we say "Sorry, George.")

   The new cast, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Issac, and Adam Driver were SUPERB! Ridley specifically stood out as a future star. Their performances, chemistry, and overall acting ability is what carried this movie. I was as invested in Rey and Finn as characters after just one film, as I am in Han and Luke after four. Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill achieved what I thought was impossible. They were Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, NOT actors playing them. On a slightly different note, it is quite clear the Carrie Fisher hasn't acted much in the last few years. She wasn't bad, and she was definitely Leia, (though that's probably because she wasn't a great actress in the OT either) but her scenes didn't carry the weight they could have.

  I have said from the beginning that this movie need not be better that the Original trilogy films, just better than Revenge of the Sith, and it far surpassed that. As the first film in a trilogy, it's plot holes are negligible and most will probably be rectified in later films (or canon material). It falls perfectly in line with the established universe, and tells the story of the natural progression of said universe. It is a Star Wars movie, and a damn good one. BRING ON EPISODE VIII (or Rogue One, that' acceptable too.