This film centers on a young boy named Toto living in a beautiful Italian village. He is adorable and smart and besides his father going missing and his mother needing anger management classes he has it pretty good. More then anything he loves movies. The Cinema Paradiso is the most popular spot in town. Toto is friends with the projectionist a man named Alfredo. Toto wants to be the projectionist but Alfredo urges him to pursue greater things. The childhood section of the movie is wonderful and magical. the child actor who plays demonstrates a ridiculous stage presence for someone his age.
However the movie takes a bit of a dive when Toto grows into a teen and loses some of his charm. There is a subplot involving Toto's love interest Elena that disappears and is never resolved. However once Toto grows into a world weary man the film get s back on track. The scene when adult Toto sees that the Pardiso has become run down is heartbreaking as is the final scene when tot sees what his gift from Alfredo was. In addition the music and scenery are lovely. ultimately the film was tad too sentimental for my taste but I can easily see why it is such a classic.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Oscars Part 5
And now we have finally reached Best Picture! Onward!
Choices:
The Reader:
The first half of the reader centers on the love affair between a beautiful woman and a fifteen year old boy. There is a lot of sex and nudity. The second part takes place when the boy is a law student ( at the coolest looking college ever). He observes the persecution of Nazi chicks. One of whom happens to be the hot chick that he nailed when he was fifteen.WHAT A COINCIDENCE! The third half takes place in the present when the now grown boy starts teaching his ex lover how to read through mail. Apparently he has forgoten she locked five hundred people in a burning building. Its okay because she can't read! Well I just have to say five year olds can't read and they know that it is not cool to lock somebody in a burning building. I didn't really get it. Good direction and performances.
Frost Nixon:
One guy interviews another guy. It's as exciting as it sounds.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:
A beautiful film to look with a star making performance from the beautiful Traji P Henson. However the story is no where near as profound as the film wants you to think it is. Ultimately some sections were interesting while others were monotonous and self conscious.
MILK:
Nice dude decides to go into politics. Nice dude fails. Nice dude tries again. Nice dude fails again. nice dude tries again. Nice dude succeeds although he has to get a makeover first. Nice dude breaks up with nice love interest. Nice dude finds new bad love interest. Bad love interest kills himself. Nice dude recovers quickly. Nice dude does some more nice things. Nice dude pisses off crazy dude. Crazy dude kills Nice dude. Everyone else in the audience cries. The end. Honestly though there really wasn't anything in this film I hadn't seen before. Unusual considering it was directed by the same man who directed "Elephant" which we watched in Art of Film. Good performances all around.
Slumdog Millionare:
Just Awesome.
Predict-Slumdog Millionare
fave-Slumdog Millionare
Snub- Revolutionary Road, The Dark Knight.
Choices:
The Reader:
The first half of the reader centers on the love affair between a beautiful woman and a fifteen year old boy. There is a lot of sex and nudity. The second part takes place when the boy is a law student ( at the coolest looking college ever). He observes the persecution of Nazi chicks. One of whom happens to be the hot chick that he nailed when he was fifteen.WHAT A COINCIDENCE! The third half takes place in the present when the now grown boy starts teaching his ex lover how to read through mail. Apparently he has forgoten she locked five hundred people in a burning building. Its okay because she can't read! Well I just have to say five year olds can't read and they know that it is not cool to lock somebody in a burning building. I didn't really get it. Good direction and performances.
Frost Nixon:
One guy interviews another guy. It's as exciting as it sounds.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:
A beautiful film to look with a star making performance from the beautiful Traji P Henson. However the story is no where near as profound as the film wants you to think it is. Ultimately some sections were interesting while others were monotonous and self conscious.
MILK:
Nice dude decides to go into politics. Nice dude fails. Nice dude tries again. Nice dude fails again. nice dude tries again. Nice dude succeeds although he has to get a makeover first. Nice dude breaks up with nice love interest. Nice dude finds new bad love interest. Bad love interest kills himself. Nice dude recovers quickly. Nice dude does some more nice things. Nice dude pisses off crazy dude. Crazy dude kills Nice dude. Everyone else in the audience cries. The end. Honestly though there really wasn't anything in this film I hadn't seen before. Unusual considering it was directed by the same man who directed "Elephant" which we watched in Art of Film. Good performances all around.
Slumdog Millionare:
Just Awesome.
Predict-Slumdog Millionare
fave-Slumdog Millionare
Snub- Revolutionary Road, The Dark Knight.
Oscars Part 4
Okay I'm getting a little weary. Must reach 24, can't keep going.....Must KEEP GOING,chariots of fire, Pretty colors, Must keep typinggggg.. must stay awake, Must get AAAAAA.................................................................................................................................................................
WHERE AM I! Oh yeah I was finishing my art of film blog.Forward March!
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Eric Roth
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
John Patrick Shanley
Doubt
Peter Morgan
Frost/Nixon
David Hare
The Reader
Simon Beaufoy
Slumdog Millionaire
My choice is obviously going to be Slumdog Millionaire for its exciting unsentimental look at the slums of India. None of the other films in this category resonated with me. An obvious snub in this category was "The Dark Knight" personally I believe the writing of that film was not good enough for this category. That film was elevated by its direction and its performances. However its lack of a nomination was surprising.
Predict-Slumdog Millionaire
Fave-Slumdog Millionaire
Snub-The Dark Knight
WHERE AM I! Oh yeah I was finishing my art of film blog.Forward March!
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Eric Roth
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
John Patrick Shanley
Doubt
Peter Morgan
Frost/Nixon
David Hare
The Reader
Simon Beaufoy
Slumdog Millionaire
My choice is obviously going to be Slumdog Millionaire for its exciting unsentimental look at the slums of India. None of the other films in this category resonated with me. An obvious snub in this category was "The Dark Knight" personally I believe the writing of that film was not good enough for this category. That film was elevated by its direction and its performances. However its lack of a nomination was surprising.
Predict-Slumdog Millionaire
Fave-Slumdog Millionaire
Snub-The Dark Knight
Oscars part 3
Best Director:
Danny Boyle
Slumdog Millionare
Gus Van Sant
Milk
David Fincher
The Curious Case of Bejamin Button
Stephen Daldry
The Reader
Ron Howard
Frost/Nixon
I believe that Danny Boyle will be getting his due for the fantastic and inspirational "Slumdog Millionaire". He directed a story that could have easily been a sentimental weepie and made it a high energy, inspirational Dickens meets Bollywood affair. He bravely avoids sentiment except when absolutely necessary and instead finds humour and spirit in even the most dire situations. The making of "Slumdog Millionaire" itself would make good film itself. A film goes from almost straight to DVD to number 4 at the box office and 10 Oscar nominations! I speak little of the other directors in this category due to the fact that none of the other films impressed me much. Although I would have loved to see Johnathan Deme given credit for "Rachel Getting Married".
Predict-Danny Boyle
Fave-Danny Boyle
Snub-Johnathan Deme
Best Original Screenplay
Frozen River
Courtney Hunt
Happy Go Lucky
Mike Leigh
In Bruges
Martin McDonagh
Wall-E
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon
Milk
Dustin Lance Black
Wall-E will win in this category. If only because it was snubbed for best picture and resigned to the "Best Animated Feature" category. I haven't seen wall-E but i have heard it is wonderful. I myself am a little sad that we went from half the nominees being female last year to only one this year. Oh well there is always next year. In my heart I want my favorite playwright Martin McDonagh to win because I love his plays and the dialogue in "In Bruges" was hilarious and insanely quotable. Milk could manage an upset but I don't think it should due to it's monotony and excessive conventionality.
Danny Boyle
Slumdog Millionare
Gus Van Sant
Milk
David Fincher
The Curious Case of Bejamin Button
Stephen Daldry
The Reader
Ron Howard
Frost/Nixon
I believe that Danny Boyle will be getting his due for the fantastic and inspirational "Slumdog Millionaire". He directed a story that could have easily been a sentimental weepie and made it a high energy, inspirational Dickens meets Bollywood affair. He bravely avoids sentiment except when absolutely necessary and instead finds humour and spirit in even the most dire situations. The making of "Slumdog Millionaire" itself would make good film itself. A film goes from almost straight to DVD to number 4 at the box office and 10 Oscar nominations! I speak little of the other directors in this category due to the fact that none of the other films impressed me much. Although I would have loved to see Johnathan Deme given credit for "Rachel Getting Married".
Predict-Danny Boyle
Fave-Danny Boyle
Snub-Johnathan Deme
Best Original Screenplay
Frozen River
Courtney Hunt
Happy Go Lucky
Mike Leigh
In Bruges
Martin McDonagh
Wall-E
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon
Milk
Dustin Lance Black
Wall-E will win in this category. If only because it was snubbed for best picture and resigned to the "Best Animated Feature" category. I haven't seen wall-E but i have heard it is wonderful. I myself am a little sad that we went from half the nominees being female last year to only one this year. Oh well there is always next year. In my heart I want my favorite playwright Martin McDonagh to win because I love his plays and the dialogue in "In Bruges" was hilarious and insanely quotable. Milk could manage an upset but I don't think it should due to it's monotony and excessive conventionality.
Oscar predictions, faves, and snubs! Part 2.
Moving on!
Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams
Doubt
Penelope Cruz
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Viola Davis
Doubt
Traji .P Henson
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marissa Tomei
The Wrestler
No one in this category is a lock! I wouldn't be surprised if any of these ladies won. I personally liked all of their performances. But My favorite would have to be Cruz for her hilarious and luminous turn as a psychotic,bisexual, artistic genius. From the moment she stepped on screen she took it over yelling screaming and generally just being nuts. At the same time she is completely charismatic. She comes into the movie halfway through just when you're getting bored, and then suddenly the movie's awesome again! Henson's performance is moving and she could wind up a big star. Tomei is fabulous as always in "The Wrestler" and manages to make the best out of the cliched and somewhat misogynistic "hooker with a heart of gold" character. Both the ladies of "Doubt" Turn in great intense performances as well. Oh but where are Rosemarie Dewitt and Debra Winger of "Rachel Getting Married" Both were excellent in extremely tricky roles as an overachieving sister and a distant mother respectively.
Predict: Penelope Cruz
Fave-Penelope Cruz
Snub- Rosemarie Dewitt, Debra Winger
Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger
The Dark Knight
Josh Brolin
Milk
Robert Downey Jr.
Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Doubt
Micheal Shannon
Revolutionary Road
This category really shouldn't be written about. Heath Ledger has already won and every man in this category is aware of that fact. don't get me wrong I loved Ledger's performance as the hilarious and terrifying joker. it just seems sad that no one is gonna get an award this year. Especially with such a great group of performances in the mix. And Maybe I 'm just pissed because the "Dark Knight" fans have destroyed Maggie Gyllenhall's message board (see exibit A-http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0350454/.) Although I really shouldn't let personal issues cloud my judgment. One of my favorite stage actors Micheal Shannon is nominated for his revelatory performance in "Revolutionary Road" and I would have loved for him to win. Oh well it isn't as if Ledger doesn't deserve it. Oh and I do wish Dev Patel had been nominated for his inspirational performance in the awesome "Slumdog Millionaire."
Predict: Heath Ledger
Fave:Michel Shannon
Snubs:Dev Patel
Oscar Predictions and faves. Part 1.
The Oscars are coming! And while you were preparing to lose all your money on an Oscar pool because you didn't do enough research,or were planning on changing the channel,I was making up my Oscar predictions and faves list! Enjoy!
1.) Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins
The Visitor
Mickey Rourke
The Wrestler
Senn Penn
Milk
Brad Pitt
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Frank Langella
Frost/Nixon
This is a slightly hard one being that Mickey won the Golden Globe and Senn won the SAG. However while Penn gets points for playing a real person, Rourke's comeback is heartbreaking enough to melt the heart of any Oscar voter. However this category could still wind up going to any of the other nominees in an upset. And where is Leo,his performance in "Revolutionary Road" was heartbreaking! Just like his snub!And Coin Farrel's half comic half tragic performance in "In Bruges" was marvelous! I cry foul!
Pedict- Mickey
Fave-Mickey
Snub- Leonardo Dicaprio, Colin Farrel
1.) Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins
The Visitor
Mickey Rourke
The Wrestler
Senn Penn
Milk
Brad Pitt
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Frank Langella
Frost/Nixon
This is a slightly hard one being that Mickey won the Golden Globe and Senn won the SAG. However while Penn gets points for playing a real person, Rourke's comeback is heartbreaking enough to melt the heart of any Oscar voter. However this category could still wind up going to any of the other nominees in an upset. And where is Leo,his performance in "Revolutionary Road" was heartbreaking! Just like his snub!And Coin Farrel's half comic half tragic performance in "In Bruges" was marvelous! I cry foul!
Pedict- Mickey
Fave-Mickey
Snub- Leonardo Dicaprio, Colin Farrel
2.Best Actress
Angelina Jolie
Changling
Melissa Leo
Frozen River
Meryl Streep
Doubt
Anne Hathaway
Rachel Getting Married
Kate Winslet
The Reader
This award could potentially go a thousand ways. With Winslet wining the globe for best ssupporting actress,Hathaway and Streep tying for the critics choice award and Melissa Leo winning the "unknown" vote (Rodger Ebert's approval). Jolie is clearly nominated just so she and Brad will show up. Not that there is anything wrong with Jolie just that I have seen great performances from her and "Changeling" is not one of them. It is a great injustice t=for the Academy to snub the lovely Sally Hawkins for her marvelous portrayal of perpetually upbeat woman in "Happy Go Lucky." I know how hard it is to play a character that is half lovable HALF BLISTERINGLY ANNOYING and Hawkins pulls it off while remaining realistic. However my favorite performance was that of Anne Hathaway as a manipulative middle class ex model/druggie. Maybe because her behavior reminds me of someone I know, but mostly because she provides an almost repulsive character with an effortless charisma, while at the same time doesn't try to make her character "likable" She has now cemented herself as one of my favorite young actresses along with Maggie Gyllenhall ( That is if the latter pulls herself out of the comic book movie love interests ghetto, same for Gwenth Paltrow). However this is Winslet's year and performance as an ex SS scumbag turned child molester is sure to win votes. Nothing against Winslet but I so preferred her performance in "Revolutionary Road", and I didn't understand the point of "The Reader." While she turned in a fine performance it didn't affect me personally due to the quality of the film. And to the fact that She was a friggen NAZI!!
Angelina Jolie
Changling
Melissa Leo
Frozen River
Meryl Streep
Doubt
Anne Hathaway
Rachel Getting Married
Kate Winslet
The Reader
This award could potentially go a thousand ways. With Winslet wining the globe for best ssupporting actress,Hathaway and Streep tying for the critics choice award and Melissa Leo winning the "unknown" vote (Rodger Ebert's approval). Jolie is clearly nominated just so she and Brad will show up. Not that there is anything wrong with Jolie just that I have seen great performances from her and "Changeling" is not one of them. It is a great injustice t=for the Academy to snub the lovely Sally Hawkins for her marvelous portrayal of perpetually upbeat woman in "Happy Go Lucky." I know how hard it is to play a character that is half lovable HALF BLISTERINGLY ANNOYING and Hawkins pulls it off while remaining realistic. However my favorite performance was that of Anne Hathaway as a manipulative middle class ex model/druggie. Maybe because her behavior reminds me of someone I know, but mostly because she provides an almost repulsive character with an effortless charisma, while at the same time doesn't try to make her character "likable" She has now cemented herself as one of my favorite young actresses along with Maggie Gyllenhall ( That is if the latter pulls herself out of the comic book movie love interests ghetto, same for Gwenth Paltrow). However this is Winslet's year and performance as an ex SS scumbag turned child molester is sure to win votes. Nothing against Winslet but I so preferred her performance in "Revolutionary Road", and I didn't understand the point of "The Reader." While she turned in a fine performance it didn't affect me personally due to the quality of the film. And to the fact that She was a friggen NAZI!!
Predict-Winslet
Fave- Anne Hathaway
Snub-Sally Hawkins.
Coming Soon more predictions,favorites and snubs!
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Devils Advocate
"The Devil's Advocate" is a good ole time art the movies or on the couch/airplane chair. It has everything love,gorgeous people,sex,violence,special effects,SATAN for Christ sake and yes even an empty NYC. It's an old favorite of mine and was directed by Taylor Hackford.It stars Keanue Reevs Charlize Theron and the craziest mofo of them all Al Pachino.
Keanue Reevs plays a young hotshot lawyer in Florida who has just won an unwinable case. He is noticed by a talent scout of sorts and given a one way ticket to the fanciest firm in new york where he is given a fabulous apartment and a job he loves the way we all wish we loved something. His wife is also thrilled by the new found success. The giver of all this love is John Milton played by the !Al Pachino!
Milton takes Reevs under his wing and plays the part of mentor. Whithin weeks he wine's dines, introduces to beautiful women and even gives reevs the case of a lifetime. He is even able to seduce Reevs's wife into giving herself a makeover.
However amongst all this giving cracks begin to show. Miltons apartmeant is just a bit too red and fiery. And why is Reevs is mom so nervous at the sight of Milton. And why is Reevs's wife experiencing horrific hallucinations, why was an employee of Miltons who rebelled gotten killed by two random homeless guys? This isn't really a spoiler considering the movie's title: Al Pachino is SATAN!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!
AN actual spoiler follows this sentence. REEVS IS HIS SON!!! AHHHH!!! More spoilers ahead.....THAT HOT CHICK THAT MILTON INTRODUCED HIM TO IS HIS HALF SISTER!!! EWWW!!! and.......MILTON WANTS AN HEIR!!!!!!!!!APOCALYPSE!!!!!!!!!!
Overall this film is a hell of a good time. Pachino's performance is a riot. At one point he begins happily singing a Sinatra song...IN SINATRA'S@#$%&#$ VOICE!!!! Reeves is an adequate protagonist and excuse to meet the devil. Theron is wonderful as the film's saddest character. The other various members of this devilish firm are great as well. Ultimately the devil is a pretty fun character to both play and watch. Wether comic (Elizabeth Hurley "bedazzled") or freaky (Robert Deneiro "Angel Heart")or just plain nuts (Jack Nickolsen "The Witches of Eastwick".)
Keanue Reevs plays a young hotshot lawyer in Florida who has just won an unwinable case. He is noticed by a talent scout of sorts and given a one way ticket to the fanciest firm in new york where he is given a fabulous apartment and a job he loves the way we all wish we loved something. His wife is also thrilled by the new found success. The giver of all this love is John Milton played by the !Al Pachino!
Milton takes Reevs under his wing and plays the part of mentor. Whithin weeks he wine's dines, introduces to beautiful women and even gives reevs the case of a lifetime. He is even able to seduce Reevs's wife into giving herself a makeover.
However amongst all this giving cracks begin to show. Miltons apartmeant is just a bit too red and fiery. And why is Reevs is mom so nervous at the sight of Milton. And why is Reevs's wife experiencing horrific hallucinations, why was an employee of Miltons who rebelled gotten killed by two random homeless guys? This isn't really a spoiler considering the movie's title: Al Pachino is SATAN!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!
AN actual spoiler follows this sentence. REEVS IS HIS SON!!! AHHHH!!! More spoilers ahead.....THAT HOT CHICK THAT MILTON INTRODUCED HIM TO IS HIS HALF SISTER!!! EWWW!!! and.......MILTON WANTS AN HEIR!!!!!!!!!APOCALYPSE!!!!!!!!!!
Overall this film is a hell of a good time. Pachino's performance is a riot. At one point he begins happily singing a Sinatra song...IN SINATRA'S@#$%&#$ VOICE!!!! Reeves is an adequate protagonist and excuse to meet the devil. Theron is wonderful as the film's saddest character. The other various members of this devilish firm are great as well. Ultimately the devil is a pretty fun character to both play and watch. Wether comic (Elizabeth Hurley "bedazzled") or freaky (Robert Deneiro "Angel Heart")or just plain nuts (Jack Nickolsen "The Witches of Eastwick".)
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