Oscar Outcomes

Dull hosts and very few upsets = a lackluster ceremony.

On a previous blog post, I made correct predictions in four out of seven categories, including Best Picture (The King’s Speech). For a full list of nominees and winners click below:

http://oscar.go.com/

Of the 24 categories I correctly predicted 18 wins on Oscar.com – not bad for my first year of Oscar forecasting! Check out the link below for a sample of my pre-Oscar post predictions:

https://forloveoffilm.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/my-oscar-pics/

Disappointment aside (David Fincher was not properly recognized), most categories held no surprises. However, the Live Action Short Films pick threw me for a loop!

I viewed all five short films last weekend and was blow away by “The Confession”. It was nuanced, heavy and full of smart biblical references. I thought “The Confession” to be the strongest by far. “God of Love” was a distant second and “The Crush” and “Wish 143” tied at a close third. So I was shocked when the “RomCom-esque” short film “God of Love” won the Oscar. Granted the winning film is adorable and far more “approachable” and lighthearted than my pick but I can’t help but feel that “The Confession” was robbed! Was I the only one watching the short films?!? Perhaps the outcome of this category is similar to that of Best Picture. If you can make the audience feel good, you win the Oscar….

We Were Here (Sundance Review)

This is a story you have heard but perhaps as you have never heard it.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I almost missed this screening. The film was shown at 8am and I was still recovering from a bad film screening I attended the night before. I’m also ashamed to admit that I thought to myself, “I’ve seen a million films/documentaries about HIV/AIDS. What else can I learn about this disease?” How very wrong I was….

Directors David Weissman and Bill Weber did not attempt to give us a biology lesson in this documentary. Nor did they tell us to practice safe sex or to become more tolerant (well, not too much). Instead the directors tell a story about those who died and, perhaps most beautifully, those who lived through the HIV/AIDS outbreak in 1980’s San Francisco.

“We Were Here” eloquently and eulogistically stitches together the stories of four unconnected people who lived through the horror that is now known as the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in America. We are introduced to a political activist, a hospital volunteer, a frontline nurse/researcher, and a florist who sold flowers from a stool on a streetcorner. Their stories are heartbreaking. At one point the florist remarks, “One week, they’d be young and healthy; the next week, they’d be walking with a cane. The week after, they’d be in a wheelchair, and the next week, they’d be gone.” Another person stated that everyone in this community lost someone.

The numbers are astounding. Originally thought to be “The Gay Cancer”, AIDS was responsible for 15,548 deaths in the San Francisco area – mostly gay men. The film delves briefly into the ignorance and intolerance that originally surrounded this disease. But much to the credit of the directors, the film doesn’t linger there. “We Were Here” stays firmly focused on the community and those who supported and rallied around its members.

This is a film that truly provides viewers with an intimate depiction of life during this epidemic. There are many touching stories within this documentary that will uplift and inspire. There are also many moments that will compel viewers to turn away. Photos of the bodies of sick and dying men are juxtaposed with photos of them in their healthier days. It becomes evident that this virus claimed many young, otherwise virile lives. One interviewee explains that their fear was multiplied because no one knew what this disease was, where it came from, or how it was spreading. I imagined what this must have felt like and was chilled to the bone.

Although this documentary is narrowly focused it has universal application. As a period piece, this film is a classic. This is a story about tragedy and triumph, humanity and inhumanity, love and loss. There will be moments that make you laugh, moments that make you cry, and moments when you simply will wish to get up and leave. The outbreak of HIV/AIDS was a nightmare and although painful, this moment in our history must not be forgotten. “We Were Here” is a documentary that ensures that its viewers never will.

4 out of 5 stars

(To be released in 2011)

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (Sundance Review)

The story is beautiful but it hurts.

I must qualify that statement by saying that my emotional response to this documentary is due more to my love for A Tribe Called Quest than it is a compliment to the director. Michael Rapaport’s (Yes, the actor who played Remy in the film “Higher Learning”) decision to direct a film that chronicles the lives of group members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Jarobi White, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad was ambitious. He successfully pulls together an array of stories from friends, family, and celebrities who knew the group members well. Although Rapaport fully showcases his love for hip-hop, he fails to do anything profound here. In fact, much of the documentary felt more like an E! True Hollywood Story than a full-length film. However, the story is cohesive and viewers will learn a few new things about this iconic group.

Viewers are first introduced to childhood buddies Q-Tip and Phife Dawg – now center to current group conflict – and members Jarobi and Ali Shaheed Muhammad as they struggle to get discovered. They eventually sign with Jive Records and are catapulted into stardom. The beginning of the film is celebratory – or perhaps eulogistic – of the late 80’s, a time when hip-hop was young, energetic, and raw. There are some wonderful interviews with popular DJs, VJs, and rappers from the era during this segment. Perhaps as homage to old school hip-hop fans, Rapaport inserts vintage rap tunes that win approval with audiences. The film also does justice to A Tribe Called Quest’s first two albums, examining their impact on modern day hip-hop and the wide acclaim they still receive. Then the course suddenly changes to Q-Tip’s solo career. Perhaps Rapaport does this purposely in order to allow the audience to understand how quickly A Tribe Called Quest fell apart. Fans may be shocked to learn that their breakup mirrors the drama of Diana Ross and The Supremes. However, viewers may not be surprised to learn that Q-Tip’s eccentricity played a huge role in the breakup. Musical genius is often granted at a psychological price; Q-Tip appears to have paid the cost for his brilliance.

The film culminates with a discussion of Phife’s various medical issues (brought about from childhood onset diabetes) and the support (or perceived lack thereof) he receives from group members. I am certain that Rapaport was thankful for these moments as they are the most memorable and “real” moments of the documentary. The end of the film also showcases concert footage, which may be where Rapaport’s novice experience is most evident. However, I loved the camera views of audience members. Fan appreciation for this group is perhaps most present here. This was a point where I wanted the documentary to examine the change of concert goers from mostly African American in the 1980’s to predominantly white in recent years. This never happened

Rapaport succeeded in telling this story and allowing the audience to become emotionally connected with the group. I myself was heartbroken as group members discussed their breakup. The director was saved by this melodrama but, unfortunately, offered few profound profound moments in return. This documentary is solid and emotional at its best moments and unmemorable and mediocre at its worst. If you love A Tribe Called Quest, you will be drawn in. If not, then at least there are a few funny moments and great beats to entertain you…for a while.

2.5 out of 5 stars

(To be released in 2011)

Top 10 Romantic Movies

In honor of Valentine’s Day I compiled a list of my favorite romantic films. Within this list are comedies, tragedies, and a few slightly off-center stories about love. I assure you that there is a movie here for everyone – from the hopeless romantic to the cynic. If you have time this VDay weekend, snuggle up with one of these films and celebrate the spirit of love!

10 – The Titanic (1997)
That’s right, I said it. Melodrama and all, I loved this movie. This is a classic love story of the most epic kind…and I’m not just talking about Leo and Kate’s romance. The tragedy of a sinking ship tests the love of family, friends, and strangers. I dare you to watch and not shed a tear.

9 – Harold and Maude (1971)
I realize that I’m jumping from epic (Titanic) to off-center. But what I love about “Harold and Maude” is that there is no easy way to transition into this film. A suicidal young man falls in love with an odd elderly woman – who also happens to be a kleptomaniac! I think people either love or hate this film. Personally, I was moved by the intensity of the story and refreshed by its inappropriate humor.

8 – Waitress (2007)
This is perhaps my favorite modern Hollywood-produced romantic comedy. Keri Russell truly captures the essence of feeling stuck in a relationship (or situation) and the cathartic feeling of being free to love again. Cute. Quirky. Charming. What more can you ask for?

7 – 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Okay, it’s true that this is a breakup story. But this is a breakup story that (for some strange reason) makes you believe in love. This is a great film for cynical singles or for those who enjoy a realistic and funny story about the trials of love. Love doesn’t always work out the way you want it to but there is beauty in the hope that one day it will.

6 – Love Actually (2003)
Who doesn’t love a quirky British romantic comedy? This story follows the lives of eight couples whose lives are loosely intertwined. “Love Actually” portrays a child’s crush, a troubled marriage, a budding romance, unrequited love, a sister’s undying commitment to her brother, and the ‘bromance’ between a manager and an aging rock and roll legend. The last line of the film fully summarizes the tone of this movie, “love actually is all around us”.

5 – The Way We Were (1973)
Barbara Streisand plays Katie, a woman who many women can identify with. She is not a classic Hollywood beauty but Hubbell (played by the annoyingly handsome Robert Redford) is drawn to her magnetism. This is a story about a passionate romance in which the lovers must choose between their love for each other and their convictions. The film asks a tough question: can you change who you are for love?

4 – Up (2009)
Rarely does an animated film make me shed a tear. But the tale of an old man and his flying house has earned a spot in my heart – and on my top ten list. This is a story about love that grows stronger over time and the commitment that a man has to his wife even after her death.

3 – Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind (2004)
What do you do after a bad breakup? If you’re like most people, you try to forget that the relationship ever happened. But what if you were allowed to do just that? This film follows two ex-lovers who have been given the opportunity to erase their memory of one another. The best part of this love story occurs when they begin to discover what life would be like without the memory – however painful – of their love.

2 – Casablanca (1942)
Humphrey Bogart. Ingrid Bergman. These two names are now synonymous with romance. Here is a story about choosing between a once-in-a-lifetime love affair and virtue. Should a man keep his promise and do what he deems best for the woman he loves or follow his heart’s desire? The answer depends on your definition of love.

1 – The Notebook (2004)
Please marry me, Ryan Gosling. This film earns the number one spot because it’s one of the most beautiful tales of passion AND commitment that I have seen on screen. A young couple is madly in love but gets separated due to class differences. This is a typical love story chain of events. However, the real plot twist happens 50 years later when the couple is old and still hopelessly committed to one another. I don’t want to give away the ending but it is truly a love story to remember.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My Oscar Picks….

For those who love film, the Academy Award Show (Oscars) is the event of the year – the Super Bowl of Cinema! The Academy Awards are arguably the most prestigious awards in the industry. For this reason, the pre-Oscar season brings lots of speculation and I always enjoy throwing my two cents in….

Best Animated Feature Film

Before I jump into animation, I have to say that “The Illusionist” was a super-cute, heartwarming film that you should see (even if it doesn’t win). But the winner here will be:

-“How to Train Your Dragon” Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois”
-“The Illusionist” Sylvain Chomet
-“Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich (PICK)

Best Cinematography

Yikes! This REALLY is a tough one. Because I’m trained in photography cinematography is my favorite aspect of film. I loved the intimate camera shots in “Black Swan” as well as the ambitious and theatrical shots in “Incepton”. I also enjoyed the picturesque scenes in “True Grit”, the drama and detail in “The King’s Speech”, and the seamless creativity in “The Social Network”? I’m truly stumped on this one, folks. But if I have to pick one:

– “Black Swan” Matthew Libatique
– “Inception” Wally Pfister
– “The King’s Speech” Danny Cohen
– “The Social Network” Jeff Cronenweth
– “True Grit” Roger Deakins (PICK)

Best Direction

“The Kings Speech” is a GREAT movie but in my opinion there are only two films in this contest: “Black Swan” and “The Social Network”. There, I said it…

– “Black Swan” Darren Aronofsky
– “The Fighter” David O. Russell
– “The King’s Speech” Tom Hooper
– “The Social Network” David Fincher (PICK)
– “True Grit” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Best Original Screenplay

This is a tough one and I almost want to give the Oscar to “Another Year” or “127 Hours” but I think the money maker of the year will win here:

– “Another Year” Written by Mike Leigh
– “The Fighter” Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson; 
Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
– “Inception” Written by Christopher Nolan (PICK)
– “The Kids Are All Right” Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
– “The King’s Speech” Screenplay by David Seidler

Best Actress in a Lead Role

There are some amazing performances in this category. Unfortunately, one actress far outshined the rest. No competition here:

– Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
– Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
– Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter’s Bone”
– Natalie Portman in “Black Swan” (PICK)
– Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”

Best Actor in a Lead Role

This is yet another category where I believe there is a shoe-in. This is also the ONLY category that, I believe, truly belongs to this year’s fan favorite:

– Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
– Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
– Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
– Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech” (PICK)
– James Franco in “127 Hours”

Best Picture

Can I first say that the Academy’s decision to nominate 10 films instead of 5 is sort of like a teacher deciding to lower the standard of an “A” from 90% to 80%? With that said, there are only 5 films in this category (in my mind at least). They are “Black Swan”, “Inception”, “The King’s Speech”, “The Social Network”, and “True Grit”. “127 Hours” is an honorable mention. Typically Best Picture and Best Director go hand in hand but that may not happen this year. I personally think “The Social Network” and “Black Swan” are two of the strongest pieces of film I have seen in quite a while. “The Social Network” is highbrow, innovative, and perfectly executed – much like the classic film it has been compared to – “Citizen Kane” (also about a less-than-scrupulous mogul). Although it is probably the strongest film on this list, I highly doubt it will win. Much like “Citizen Kane” in the 1940’s, my premonition tells me that The Facebook movie will be overlooked for the fan favorite:

– “Black Swan”
– “The Fighter”
– “Inception”
– “The Kids Are All Right”
– “The King’s Speech” (PICK)
– “127 Hours”
– “The Social Network”
– “Toy Story 3”
– “True Grit”
– “Winter’s Bone”

Sundance Film Festival!!!

Greetings!

I just returned from an AMAZING trip to the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. I attended film screenings, director Q&As, concerts, parties and networked my butt off! In all, it was an exciting and productive trip.

As you know by now, I am enamored with film. So this trip was like a journey to Mecca for me. (Note how excited I look in the picture below…lol!)

Stay tuned for a few Sundance film reviews of movies that will be released later this year . . .