10/24 7 pm Rosemary’s Baby
Chelsea Cinemas, Manhattan
A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins controlling her life.
10/24 8 pm Dial M for Murder (in 3D)
Village East Cinemas, Manhattan. Part of their Hicthcock-Tober! Fest
An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.
Dir. John Carpenter. 1978, 91 mins. Restored DCP. With Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran. John Carpenter knew how to use the super wide CinemaScope movie frame better than any other horror director, and his proto slasher film, about a masked maniac with a vendetta, stalking babysitters in suburban Illinois, remains the most elegantly shot and composed film of its kind. This brilliantly paced movie of mounting anxiety and dread perfectly evokes an autumnal atmosphere and features a naturalistic, star-making performance by Jamie Lee Curtis. The underrated Village Voice critic Tom Allen recognized the film as “an instant schlock horror classic,” and wrote “Halloween, a study in warm colors, dark shadows, and ceaselessly tracking dollies, owes more to the expressive possibilities raised by Vincente Minnelli in the Halloween sequence of Meet Me in St. Louis than to any films in the realistic school.” The screening will be introduced by critic Nick Pinkerton, who is writing an appreciation of Tom Allen for Moving Image Source. Free with Museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum members may reserve tickets in advance by calling 718 777 6800
Dir. Howard Hawks. 1966, 126 mins. 35mm. With John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Cann, Charlene Holt. Hawks’s elegiac and comical follow-up to Rio Bravo pushes both the humor and the violence of the first film to extremes. Cole Thornton (Wayne), a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Hara, (Mitchum), to help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water. Caan provides comic relief as Mississippi, an inept gunman armed with a diabolical shotgun. Free with Museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Museum members may reserve tickets in advance by calling 718 777 6800.
El Dorado 10/26 4pm
Can you go wrong with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan? TRAILER
John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Cann, Charlene Holt. Hawks’s elegiac and comical follow-up to Rio Bravo pushes both the humor and the violence of the first film to extremes. Cole Thornton (Wayne), a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Hara, (Mitchum), to help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water. Caan provides comic relief as Mississippi, an inept gunman armed with a diabolical shotgun.
Rio Lobo 11/9 2 pm A little more than a preview 😉 John Wayne, Jennifer O’Neill. Col. Cord McNally (Wayne), a former union officer, teams up with a group of men to search for the traitor whose perfidy caused the defeat of McNally’s unit in the Civil War. Their quest brings them to Rio Lobo, a small Texan town besieged by a band of ruthless outlaws led by the traitor they were looking for. Hawks’s last film is a relaxed Western in the mold of Rio Bravo and El Dorado.
Kirk Douglas. An expedition of fur trappers up the Missouri River features expansive outdoor photography, while focusing on the rivalry between two men for a Native-American woman. Film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum wrote, “Though this sublime 1952 black-and-white masterpiece by Howard Hawks is usually accorded a low place in the Hawks canon, it’s a particular favorite of mine—mysterious, beautiful, and even utopian in some of its sexual and cultural aspects.”
Saturday 10/12 Ball of Fire (1941) 2 pm
A group of ivory-tower lexicographers realize they need to hear how real people talk, and end up helping a beautiful singer avoid police and escape from the Mob.
Sergeant York (1940) 4:30 pm
True story of a hillbilly sharpshooter drafted in WW1 despite his claim to be a pacifist, who ends up becoming a war hero.
Sunday 10/13 His Girl Friday (1940) 2 pm
A newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying.
A Song is Born (1948) 4:30 pm
Gangster’s moll Honey Swanson goes into hiding when her boyfriend is under investigation by the police. Where better to hide than a musical research institute staffed entirely by lonely bachelors? She gets more than she bargained for when the head of the institute Professor Hobart Frisbee starts to fall for her–Written by Col Needham
Monday 10/14 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 2 PM
Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.
2012 is the first year ever that I was able to see every film nominated for Best Picture. I am usually pretty good at picking the Best Picture when I walk out of the theater but not this year. There was not a film that was just a run away. This year seemed wide open on the surface until the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, and the Directors Guild awards played out to show the clear favorites.
These are not necessarily the films I would like to see win but the ones I think will score the gold. So here are my picks for whatever they are worth:
Best Picture: Life of Pi
Sure Argo, which makes Hollywood types look like heroic patriots, isn’t the make up artist from the original Planet of the Apes (1968), played by John Goodman no less, already a national hero?, is a clear favorite with Lincoln second but after figuring Pi wins a fistful of Oscars, Directing, Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay,Editing, etc, I am going with an “upset”. Remember how Bugsy back in 1991 was supposed to sweep? Shameless rationalization.
Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day Lewis
You knew this one was a no brainer BEFORE you saw the film. My call was when I heard it was coming out.
Actress in a Leading Role: Jennifer Lawrence
Emmanuelle Riva (a potential upset) and Quvenzhane Wallis had much better performances but Hollywood wants to regain its #1 spot in Awards Season and get people under 40 to tune in. Giving awards to French speakers (2012’s The Artist) or Britishers (2011 The King’s Speech) has many Americans saying “Who?”, “What movie?”, “The must be Socialists that hate the 2nd Amendment”. Lawrence was in the ca$h cow, The Hunger Games, and she’s going to be making Hollywood plenty of dough the next few years with its sequels.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz
This is an open field. I could see Robert De Niro winning or even Tommy Lee Jones (why? I don’t know)
Actress is a Supporting Role: Anne Hathaway
Hollywood likes prostitutes winning this award and pretty women making themselves look as bad as possible. They should have given her a few missing teeth to really get that “Faces of Meth” look going on
Animated Feature: Wreck It Ralph
Brave was the money maker I think so don’t be surprised I am wrong on this one
Cinematography: Life of Pi
I have seen quite a buzz for Skyfall (this year’s theme is 50 Years of James Bond) but, Life of Pi is a visual treat on the same level as 2001:A Space Odyssey, almost
Costume Design: Anna Karenina<
A guess….spreading the wealth I suppose. Why should any film go home empty handed?
Directing: Ang Lee
See Cinematography. This was a genuinely original film and some have said that the book could not be made into a movie but damned if he didn’t, Lee pulled it off.
Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
The reason I make this call is because it has been out since the summer and was in quite a few theaters. I think more people have seen it than The Invisible War which is another film that has been getting a bit of buzz of late. Maybe too late? For you punters, a “pick ’em” in my book
Documentary Short Subject: Open Heart
Yet another guess
Film Editing: Life of Pi
See Cinematography and Directing for my input on this film
Foreign Language Film: Amour
No brainer here
Make up: The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey
Versus Hitchock and Les Miz? Duh
Music, Original Score: Life of Pi
No stand outs here but I wouldn’t rule out Lincoln as Hollywood likes that John Williams tragic yet uplifting stuff (he still deserves to be punished for the overkill in Warhorse)
Music, Original Song: Skyfall
Adele is has written and sings the title theme for a James Bond movie when the theme of the Oscars this year is “50 Years of James Bond”. Once again, Hollywood trying to get more people under 40 interested. No brainer on this one.
Production Design: Life of Pi
Are we noticing a trend on my picks this year?
Short Film, Animated: Paperman
Yet another guess
Short Film, Live Action: Curfew
A suicidal man baby sitting and it’s the only one in Engish
Sound Editing: Life of Pi
I’m am betting ona big night
Sound Mixing: Les Miserables
It’s a musical
Visual Effects: Life of Pi
A 3D film that’s worth the extra admission. Can you say that for 3D films other than Avatar?
Writing, Adapted Screenplay: Life of Pi
Many said it couldn’t be made into a movie.
Writing, Original Screenplay: Zero Dark Thirty
Nobody should go home empty handed but I am rooting for Django Unchained for this award
West of Memphis. Interesting enough documentary about shoddy police work and over zealous prosecutors. Three poor bastards spent 18 years inside for crimes they did not commit.
Les Misérables. Too damned long with its slow tempo (I checked the time TWICE), they should have had it directed by someone that has done a musical before, excessive close ups, and Russell Crowe can’t sing if his life depended on it. On the good side, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway‘s nominations are well deserved and I think Samantha Barks (Eponine) deserved a Supporting nomination as well. As for Jackman, does it really matter? Everyone has their Best Actor money riding on Daniel Day Lewis. At the convent, did you notice the habits of the nus? Daughters of Charity!
Casablanca(1942) Thankfully the NY Historical Society shows films. Of course I have seen this gem oodles of times but not on the big screen; now I can say I have seen it only once. How many great quotes come out of this film?
Beasts of the Southern Wild. I thought it is an excellent, original motion picture and would highly recommend it. Interesting film on loss without losing the sense of joy
Fallen Angel (1945). One can’t go wrong with this classic
The Sapphires. I thought it was a nice story but of course, it did not have the polish that a Hollywood production like Alan Parker‘s The Commitments (1991) possessed. Watch it on cable or rent it.
The Shining. Once again, the Film Society of Lincoln Center comes through with this Kubrick gem from 1980. Much more of a disturbing film on the big screen than it is on any sized television.
Trance I thoroughly enjoyed this film though they could have edited out about fifteen minutes. I suppose you could read into this caper/psycho-thriller as an allegory for the seven deadly sins if you wanted; i.e. the seven deadly are sins that lead to greater sin and this film is about wrath, greed, pride, avarice, lust, gluttony, pride, and sloth. Okay, so maybe I am pushing it with sloth and gluttony. Of course, everyone in the film doesn’t exactly want to work to make an honest buck (and in this case pound) and they certainly want more. I thought it well done movie with fine performances across the board; one has to love Vincent Cassel speaking even the top of his head has been blown off…..with a .38 revolver at that.
Key Largo Tough to go wrong with Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore,and Lauren Bacall in this classic. The Rubin Museum has quality films on a Friday night and I highly recommend it (it’s even easy to find parking)
At Any Price A halfway decent film that has its moments. Not a particularly memorable picture.
Iron Man 3 After having seen a few classics and some indies, a Hollywood blockbuster was very much welcomed. Good film but a typical sequel. Don’t be a sucker and cough up the extra ca$h for 3D
The Great Gatsby I never read the book until recently and like everyone else I can say “I liked the book better”. They seemed to have missed the mark in the 1974 version with Robert Redford and this new one with Leonardo Di Caprio. In all fairness, I did like both versions. Overall comparison of both films? Equal. Better Gatsby? Di Caprio. Better Daisy? Carey Mulligan (I was hoping Mia Farrow would have been shot in 1974.
42 A fine, enjoyable, baseball picture that tried to do a little too much.
Fast and Furious 6An fun movie that aspires to entertain you and nothing more. Quality for targeting the international audience–think of the cast and how easily its dialogue can be dubbed.
The Company You Keep An action movie for old people. Robert Redford has another one coming out too: this one’s a combination of Life of Pi and Castaway but with a septuagenarian.
Doctor Zhivago I got to see it on the big screen at BAM and after that, I’d put it on my all time best movies list.
Man of Steel It’s a Superman picture. Sure you can play with theology and Messianic figure stuff all you want but it’s a superhero movie. Was it better than the 1978 version? I wouldn’t compare them as they’re quite different film. The earlier one is more comical.
RED 2A lighthearted sequel to a film that doesn’t exactly aspire to be Doctor Zhivago
Blue Jasmine. I thought it a bore. Check my watch once: mediocre. Twice? Cate Blanchett should get an Oscar nomination out of her performance though. Of course, I could care less had Jasmine lived or died.
Gravity The best film out of Hollywood so far this year; love the whole rebirth and renewal business going on with Sandra Bullock’s character. Who would have thought of George Clooney as an astronaut? It worked. Is it worth the few extra bucks for 3D? I still debate that question. Last year, I said Life of Pi was worth so I would say this one is too. Otherwise, save the money. I am expecting Sandra Bullock to get another Best Actress nomination out of her performance in this film. Kudos to her.
Machete Kills This film is high quality trash that aspires to nothing more than entertaining the audience for an hour and forty minutes. Sure it was not as good as the original but so what? It’s not like the Machete (2010) was The Bicycle Thief, Броненосец Потёмкин, or some other cinematic classic.
Did I get my money’s worth? Of course I did considering I was using a free movie score on my Regal Cinemas card. Did the film have Oscar worthy performances? Definitely. The film is Mel Gibson’s best performance in many years, Sofia Vergara’s performance far surpasses both Sandra Bullock’s in Gravity or Cate Blanchett’s in Blue Jasmine (a bore of a film), and the film also gives one of the most realistic portrayals of mental illness in Demián Bichir’s Mendez.
Hugo Like The Artist, this film is about broken people that need to be fixed and it honors film history particularly the life of Georges Méliès. I thought it was a delightful adventure drama and the 3D effect worked very well though the film was a trifle too long though. It’s a good film about reconciliation and healing.
The Unknown (1927) A silent movie from 1927 starring Lon Chaney and the young Joan Crawford. Thankfully, the Film Forum in Manhattan has been showing silent pictures on Monday nights. After the success of 2011’s The Artist and Hugo, I would not be surprised if I see a few remakes of some of the classic silent movies.
The Iron Lady: was not a bad movie but slow; too slow. They blew it on the film focusing too much on Maggie Thatcher being a senile old lady with a penchant for drink rather than her years as PM.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone particularly traumatized by Septmber 11, 2001 and I saw the film at the Regal in Battery Park City across the street from where such appalling horrors occurred.I was surprised that Thomas Horn did not receive a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal as Oskar Schell whose character may have Asperger’s. In my year’s of teaching high school, I’ve had some students with such a condition and I dare say he nailed it. It moved a trifle slow to get to the point, as did Hugo but, like Hugo I thought it did a fine job regarding the theme of healing. Here’s my spoiler, so you can stop reading if you intend on seeing a few of the films before the Oscars but, one, I really wanted to know what was in the safety deposit box of William Black and second, why the hell didn’t they have Max von Sydow‘s character speak at the end?
Two minor items that came to me were: I thought they had Queens, NY down to a tee. The guy in Rockaway and the bar in Broad Channel were so suited to stereotype. I loved it (this author is from Queens and speaks highly of both Rockaway and Broad Channel). I also noticed Viola Davis (this and The Help) and John Goodman (this and The Artist) are both in two films nominated for Best Picture. I wonder if this is a first.
My Week With MarilynI thought this was actually a very good film and a rather sad story. Michelle Williams was nominated for Best Actress for the film and after seeing the others. I thought she had Marilyn down: not in looks but in mannerism/voice etc.
Albert Nobbs: Since there were two nominees, Glenn Close for Best Actress and Janet McTeer for Best Supporting Actress, I figured I’d see it. Two outstanding performances for sure.
Bully: A documentary that certainly achieved its goal of making bullying a topic of conversation. I think educators, parents, and students should see it.
North By Northwest(1959) Queens, NY is where we have the Museum of the Moving Image (MOTMI) that has arguably the best cinema in the city and has an ongoing “See It Big” exhibit. I’ve only seen the film on TV and never in one sitting. By seeing it on the big screen, it’s now in my all time top ten.
Touch of Evil (1958) Once again, another MOTMI “See it Big” show. You can’t go wrong with Charlton Heston playing a Mexican and the great opening tracking scene is ruined by the car explosion.
Titanic (1996) My better half never saw the film as she was dating some pretentious asshole at the time who refused to see Hollywood blockbusters. A film good enough to stand on its own and did not need to re-released in 3D
Casino(1995) A Martin Scorcese gangster picture starring the usual crew. One can’t go wrong there. Seeing it on the big screen a second time and 17 years later, I noticed it’s funnier than when I first viewed the film and I found myself more compassionate toward Sharon Stone’s character. She was a hard core addict in the downward spiral throughout the film. Sharon Stone also did an excellent performance.
Part of the Fashion in Film series at the MOTMI
American Gigolo(1980) The word that just describes this film is SORDID.
Men In Black 3(2012): A sci fi farce that made fun of itself included an alien wearing a Mark Sanchez NY Jets jersey as well as old Shea Stadium (with the tiles still on it) and Bill Hader as Andy Warhol was genius
Saturday Night Fever: If there are movies that the reaction to was not what the film makers intended, this has to be one of them. It’s a rather depressing film particularly on the big screen
The Elephant Man: It’s not everyday that one gets to see John Gielgud, Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and Wendy Hiller all in a single film. It’s a sad film but the theme of “human dignity” is in your face. Kudos to director David Lynch (who I am not a fan of) for making such a wonderful film
2001:A Space OdysseyWhen the opportunity arsies to see this film on the big screen, I think that as a film lover, you have to go out of your way to see it. Having seen it on CBS sometime in late 1976 or early 1977 when I was in the second grade does not count and now having seen it as it was meant, VHS on a 32 inch TV back in the late 1980s is now 2 1/2 hours of life I’ll never get back. I won’t get into theory or anything but this film is worth seeing just because it’s a cinematic wonder.
The Queen of VersaillesA documentary that I enjoyed quite a bit. I found there something quite likeable about David and Jackie though, I was surprised that David did not put away anything
The Dark Knight Rises Despite the fact there will be a porn movie with the same title anyday now, I LOVED this movie. Michael Caine is my first of the year for a Best Supporting Actor nomination (he did win one for Hannah and Her Sisters back in the 1980s). This was a fast moving action picture and everyone in it did such stellar performances. I would have considered it a GREAT film but for a few clichés.
Ted: One can’t go wrong with a pot smoking teddy bear
Vertigo: Jimmy Stewart as an obsessed ex cop. So unJimmy Stewart. Another Hitchcock masterpiece
To Catch A Thief: Hitchcock, Cary Grant, and Grace Kelly. What else is there to say? The Bridge on The River Kwai:What’s there to say other than it’s a masterpiece and I think may just be the best anti-war film I have seen. It just shows the absurdity of everything.
Rear Window:Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly in this classic on the big screen at the UA Midway as it was celebrating its 70th birthday. Makes one wonder why the hell Grace Kelly ever left Hollywood.
ARGO: I thought it was a good film but not suspenseful since I remember the story. Well shot, well acted, and well done. I’d say, go see it.
The Thing (1982). Thank god for the Museum of the Moving Image. How can one go wrong with a John Carpenter horror/sci flick starrring Kurt Russell?
Skyfall: An excellent James Bond movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it however, I must admit, given that my people are from Donegal, Skyfall itself looked quite a bit like the place. I think Daniel Craig is also the closest to the James Bond of the original Ian Fleming novels.
Lincoln: An excellent film about America’s great President. If Daniel Day Lewis doesn’t win Best Actor at the Oscars, I will be shocked. The film was just shy of perfect as it had a few “Spielbergisms” in it that detracted from the final picture (just like War Horse). Outstanding motion picture.
Silver Linings Playbook: This film was marketed as a comedy (just watch the trailer) but it is not. It’s a good story, a little too long, I checked the time time during the film to figure out how much was left which is my tip off. It’s a story about reconciliation and healing which everyone likes to see. I think Bradley Cooper will get an Oscar nomination as he does a fine job showing mental illness in the film and I also think Jennifer Lawrence may get a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She was stellar in the film and from what I saw, has quite a career in front of her.
All About Eve: A classic in every sense of the term.
Life of Pi A genuine contender for numerous Oscar nominations. One of the few films I have been to where the 3D is actually worth the extra few bucks.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers A classic that never gets old. Like the 1970s remake, you can say there was an huge element of suburban conformity but we know it was an allegory for the Cold War.
Stand Up Guys An enjoyable film about a few old guy, that is, old gangsters and their friendship. You can tell Pacino, Walken, and Arkin were having fun making the film. A pleasant surprise.
Zero Dark Thirty I thought it a really good, not great, film. My suspicions about the torture scenes being Hollywood bullshit to drum up some controvery were confirmed. I wonder if it will be a major commercial success when it goes to wide release. Why? Critical acclaim, female protagonist,and, call this crazy but, many Republicans will refuse to see it since President Obama gave the order to take out UBL. This film seemed choppy early on, had one or two scenes that I thought didn’t even need to be in the film, and you even get the impression the order was given to the SEAL team on short notice (i.e. hours). I thought they spent some time in Virginia training for it at a mock up compound.
My better half preferred this film over Argo which I thought was the better picture as a thriller. They’re both similar films as they’re historically based thrillers but I thought Argo was more “thrilling”. Yes, I am being picayune.
Manhola Dargis of The New York Times in her review writes “It’s pitiful, really, and as the movie heads toward its emphatically nontriumphant finish, it is impossible not to realize with anguish that all that came before — the pain, the suffering and the compromised ideals — has led to this.” That’s a great description of the film in it’s totality. Now of course I am reading into it but one could also look into the film as an allegory for SIN. Maya (Jessica Chastain) is recruited into the CIA out of high school,I suppose that would indicate she’s a prodigy (she is the only CIA character 100% that UBL is in the compound) and you assume she was probably a nice kid. Now of course she had to step down to the enemy’s level of morality, typical action movie trick, and torture. She realizes she had to pay a personal price, a ransom if you will, to get the job done.
Django Unchained In my book, this is the best film of the year. As a Tarantino picture, we expect plenty of “ultra violence” but I thought the real violence in this film was not the shootings but the scenes of slavery in America. I know Spike Lee has been critical of the film, which he said he would not see as slavery is not a “spaghetti western”, which is true, but I think the film does provoke an interest in it. After the movie, I went online and started reading up on slavery. As usual, Tarantino doesn’t disappoint with the dialogue and the performances were outstanding. I expect many Oscar nominations from this film.
Here are my “Denis Awards” for the 2011 Films that I attended. This is purely meaningless and strictly subjective however, some critics and members of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences may agree with many of my picks. It sort of sucks having to choose some of them as it’s so often a tough call but you have to decide.
Best Supporting Actor Nominees (Winner in bold with my reasoning) Adrian Brody, “Midnight in Paris” Cory Still, “Midnight in Paris” (this guy had Hemingway down. Jolly good show)
Don Cheadle, “The Guard”
Jeremy Irons, “Margin Call”
Armie Hammer, “J. Edgar” (honorable mention: he really did a fine job considering his amount of time in the picture as well; in my book, he was nosed out by Cory Still. Good work Armie)
William Fichtner, “Drive Angry in 3D”
Best Supporting Actress Bérénice Bejo, “The Artist” (this was a “no contest” in my book and the other four were all so good–Miss Bejo just got the better role in a better film) Shailene Woodley, “The Descendants”
Bryce Dallas Howard, “The Help”
Marion Cotillard, “Midnight in Paris”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
Quality Ultra-Violence Scene
Battle Los Angeles
Drive Angry in 3D
Unknown Contagion (the societal breakdown where the man clocks a woman for MREs? Yeah, that’s what would happen)
Best Line:
“You Calvanistic penny pinching Scot!”, John Hurt, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” “That old cocksucker” Christopher Shyer, “J. Edgar” (the theater went ape shit when he said it)
“Speak to me as though you are talking to a small child” Jeremy Irons, “Margin Call”
“I didn’t get here by being smart” Jeremy Irons, “Margin Call”
“I see a Rhenocéros!” Adrian Brody, “Midnight in Paris”
Best Comedy:
“Bridesmaids”
“The Hangover II”
“Paul”
“Horrible Bosses” “The Guard” (sophisticated comedy unlike the others that were quite predictable and cliche)
Best Director:
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist (no brainer: to edge out Martin Scorcese, Woody Allen, and Clint Eastwood means, you made a great film. Not bad company to be in)
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Clint Eastwood, J. Edgar
Best Actress Viola Davis, The Help Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
I had to flip a coin on this one as these were the two stand out performances by actresses in films I went to see in 2011 (Mara won 6-4). I have a hunch it may just be a two horse race but perhaps someone such as Glenn Close for that movie where she pretends to be a man or Meryl Streep for Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady” may win. I do think of the first few minutes of “The Help” where Viola Davis mentions her grandmother being a “house slave” and I said “She’s getting an Oscar nomination for this”–she was convincing. This is my weakest call.
Best Picture “The Artist” (as a film, it was by far a better movie than the others)
“Contagion”
“Midnight in Paris”
“Margin Call”
“The Guard”
So those are my picks for 2011’s best films. I look forward to your comments and I hope you agree with many of my decisions. If not, I genuinely look forward to your comments. Tell me where and why I’m wrong.
Here are my quick reviews of the films I went to see in 2011.
The Fighter. Saw it on New Year’s Day. As you are all aware, it was nominated for several academy awards and Melissa Leo won Best Supporting Actress for her performance. She deserved it. However, the Boston Irish tough guy routine is wearing a bit thin if you ask me: Mystic River, The Departed, Shutter Island, The Town, and this, so what if it was not Boston, proved it. You can be sure there are a few more in the pipeline yet to come.
The Company MenNo matter how important you are in a corporation, you’re always replaceable. A decent but unmemorable film.
Unknown You have to give Hollywod credit: they managed to turn a 50 something Irish widower (ah, da poor man), Liam Neeson into an action star. And you had to love the old former Stasi agent
Drive Angry in 3D Quality garbage! I’d give it “4 turds”. Loved it.
The Adjustment BureauA tad frustrating as a film but I enjoyed it. Only real criticism was that when they were opening/closing the doors and appearing all over the city, there’s no reason they did not end up at the track. “Whoa! They are about to run the fifth and Theology Professor is at 8 to 1 and they are loading them in the gate? I can’t get in on this? Dammit, we’ve got to run!”
Battle Los Angeles Sci-fi fare that only meant to entertain me for 2 hours and succeeded.
The Lincoln Lawyer One of my faves this year: a good thriller about a good lawyer that has “issues”. Still, it is tough for Matthew McConaughy to surpass his great performance in “Tropic Thunder”
POM Wonderful presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold If you are a movie buff, it is worth seeing as, you’ll appreciate the product placement in any film you see afterwards (*see “Contagion”)
Priest Standard B movie, sci fi, quality crap. I give it “4 turds”
The Hangover II Another gem of a film as good as the original and only tries to enertain the viewer for the duration of the film with its ‘high brow’ and ‘intellectual’ humor.
The Tree of Life Director Terrence Malick can go fuck himself. Despite its critical acclaim, this film SUCKS. If I check the time during the show, twice, you KNOW it is a dud. Fuck him and this movie sucks.
Bad Teacherpredictable comic fare. Film made me even think that Cameron Diaz is actually a good actress in such a comedic role.
Horrible Bosses Another garden variety comedy that only meant to entertain me for two hours and did so. They could have gotten more into Colin Farrell‘s coke fiend character though as he was entertaining
The Guard I enjoyed this film enough to actually be willing to see it again. To genuinely appreciate this work of art, I think you have to be well acquainted with Ireland as the film makers pay such attention to detail (the breakfast food, the Daniel O’Donnell poster, the gaelic speaker fixing a lamp his aunt in Australia sent him,etc.) There were about 3 scenes in the movie where I was the only person in the cinema to laugh oout loud (and this was at the Angelika on Houston Street). Same thing happened to my neighbor Jane when she saw it at Kew Gardens Cinemas (the guy behind her said after the film “I assume you’re irish?”) Brendan Gleeson deserves an Oscar nomination for his performance
The Change Up Garden variety, role reversal comedy. Fun movie
The HelpViola Davis will rightfully get an Oscar nomination out of this for her excellent performance. Bryce Dallas Howard may just get a supporting nod for being such a bitch (unlike all the great movie ‘bad guys’, there is often something likeable about them: not her). You can tell that the book on which it was based was written by a new jack so it is ripe with cliché
Crazy, Stupid, LoveYet ANOTHER predictable comedy. Say what you will about Ryan Goseling but, he can’t act. Hollywood loves him for looking good on the screen but he is useless as an actor
Our Idiot Brother he wasn’t an idiot but a genuinely nice, honest hippy. Nice story but it was not funny. You just know Hollywood could not figure out how to market the film.
Contagion Excellent film. When would anyone have an issue with Gwyneth “My life is perfect and yours isn’t as good as mine so feel bad NOW” Paltrow dying a horrible death? You feel bad for the way Kate Winslet dies (she deserves so much better!) and when has Larry Fishburne let you down? My personal favorite performance of his was Death Wish 2 death. Kudos to Chrysler for the product placement in the film. The movie even makes Sanjay Gupta’s CNN show into what it is: TV tripe
The Ides of March Another George Clooney movie that adds to one’s cynicism (think Syriana and Michael Clayton). Says something about the way the game of politics is played. As I said before, I did not think much of Ryan Goseling as an actor but in this film he holds his own with Cloooney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. he does comes across a bit stiff though.
50/50 Another movie that Hollywood could not figure out how to market. It was a story of a young man dealing with cancer. It had a few funny moments but certainly was not a comedy. I will give kudos to Angelica Huston for her role as the mother (I can see a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her–but she won’t win). I also think Bryce Dallas Howard may just perform the rest of her career as a Class A Bitch (first, The Help and now this).
Margin CallA fictionalization of the 2008 financial collapse but not exactly black and white in terms of moral compass. Yes, there are the scumbag bankers (Jeremy Irons, Simon Baker) but the others, such as the guy just trying to earn a living, the young guy that finds out that the profession is not for him, and of course, the cynic perhaps says something about the industry itself. Speaking of the cynic, when does Paul Bettany let you down in a film (he was even good in such cinematic turds as Legion and Priest? I think Kevin Spacey will get an oscar nomination for this film (but I would bet against him on it): cynical trader who is paying for his ex wife’s home and has a son in college at MIT? Yeah, he needs the money. Oh, AND his only real friend is his dog that is dying.
J. EdgarClint Eastwood is gunning for a few more Oscars under his directorial belt. Leonardo DiCaprio does a fine job as famed freakazoid J. Edgar Hoover and I am seeing a Best Actor nomination for him. I think Armie Hammer did an excellent job and I can see a Best Supporting Actor nomination for him though the make up people did go a bit overkill on him. In my book, the guy that stole the show was Christopher Shyer as Dick Nixon late in the film.
The Descendants. George Clooney will get another Best Actor nomination for his performance in the film as well as a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Shailene Woodley.
The Artist. A black & white silent movie in 2011? Yes! Was it any good? Yes! I would nominate this for Best Picture and from the movies I’ve seen so far this year, if I had a vote in the Academy, this would be mine ACROSS THE BOARD. It’s great: has a talented dog, I was terrified at point, Bernice Bejo is a doll that you fall in love immediately in the film and she’s getting an Oscar nomination for sure. It also gives quite a treatment of the sin of pride from a theological perspective. I watched Lars Hanson in “Captain Salvation” (1927) and thought it was great. The way this movie pays tribute to such classic films is something as a film buff one just adores.
The Girl With the Dragon TattooRooney Mara should definitely get an Oscar nomination for her role of Lisbeth Salander. I thought the film was a good thriller, a few things were a trifle predictable, but everything about it I enjoyed.
War Horse. A great, feel good movie done in typical Steven Spielberg style but I thought he went “more Spielberg” than usual. The John Williams score was over the top and there were several times the filmed could have just used no music. His World War I battle scenes I genuinely appreciated: that was great cinema. As the few of you that read my blog, you know I am a horse race enthusiast and lover of horses so I definitely show a bias. There’s a great interplay between those that love the horses and the horse that loves them back. It’s an excellent film and I would recommend it for sure. If you love animals ladies, bring your tissues.
Yeah I know, it is quite a few films for a casual film goer and 2011 may even be my record. There are certainly more to come for sure with a few days close left in 2011. I have a hunch I might hit a total of 35 films for 2011 (after the nominations come out next year, I suppose I’ll have to see movies I have no interest in such as “My Week with Marilyn” as my cousin’s wife thought it was great. I suppose I will close 2011 “Incredibly Loud and Incredibly Close”as I suppose it will get nominations just for having Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and a September 11, 2001 theme.
We’re in “awards season” here in the USA and so far I am disappointed. We had the Golden Globes where The Social Network won Best Picture, Natalie Portman won Best Actress for Black Swan, and Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor for playing a crackhead. I liked the film and both performances but really, none was award worthy given the other options.
Then we had the Grammys where I wasn’t offended by any performance and thus not impressed. I was hoping for something that would have created a buzz on the news for a week: Sarah Palin tweeting about Rihanna’s “S & M“, professional shithead Michelle Malkin appearing on Fox and Friends ranting about how Lady Gaga is something like “the embodiment of the downfall of the Judaeo-Christian ethic”, Sean Hannity talking about “values”, and all the usual bullshit. The music industry didn’t give the professional right wing anything to bite on. So disappointing! Where’s Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” when you need it? Anyway, onto the movies.
The Best Picture for nominees for 2010 are: Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone
Let’s make a few observations about them and then go into MY movie picks.
First “Black Swan” was a very over rated movie as was The Social Network. The Hollywood industry loves Darren Aronofsky because of his previous films “Requiem for a Dream” and “The Wrestler” and the bogus lesbian scene turned out to create a Facebook buzz with teenagers. I always liked Natalie Portman but when one hears people talking about her “great” performance, you just have to say “please!” How many people have played high quality nut jobs over the years? Of course, who’s up against her for the award? So she’s pretty much a “given” for the actress award.
“The Fighter” was an excellent film BUT the “B0ston Irish” act is wearing a bit thin: we had “Mystic River”, “The Departed”, “The Town”, and now this one. It is a city that has Harvard, Fidelity Investments, and produced John F. Kennedy and Peter Lynch but Hollywood will give you the impression that it just produces “Irish tough guys” who talk funny and are employed in rackets. Yeah, I know the film took place in Worcester: SAME SHIT.
“Inception” was an excellent “psycho-thriller” but given the time of year it came out in the theaters it doesn’t have a prayer of winning. Had it been shot in 3D, it might have had a chance. “True Grit” and “The King’s Speech” are, in my book, the best of the lot. Either would be a fine film for the Academy to dub “Best Picture”. As for the other films, though “Toy Story 3” made a bundle of dough, it’s still a kiddie movie and thus no chance and the rest well, can you name more than 3 people that actually saw the films? “Blue Valentine” looked like a bore in its trailer.
Now the movies that made my 2010 trips to the movies worthwhile we can call them the “honorable mentions”.
Machete: this was a masterpiece of a film. Come on! The cell phone secreted away in a woman’s very personal hiding place? Cheech getting crucified? Michelel Rodriguez with the eye patch? Mexicans fighting using gardening tools? GENIUS!
Piranha 3D: high quality turd of a film and done in 3D just to earn extra bucks. Genius. Ving Rhames with the outboard motor and the panic scene? The penis being eaten with 3D+ T & A? Clearly “art cinema” and Oscar worthy.
Hot Tub Time Machine: low brow comedy that appealed to film buffs lowest common denominator–vomit humor. When I told my students that I saw it over the weekend they said, and I quote, “You actually saw that?”. My answer was “yes and I thought it ws great”. Perhaps you can read into this cinematic wonder as an allegory for redemption.
Easy A: A modern, more sophisticated version of those shitty 1980s John Hughes “coming of age” pictures liberally based on the Scarlet Letter. I went to see for the only reason that there was nothing else to see that weekend and genuinely enjoyed the film. I also thought Emma Stone is definitely going to become quite a film star: a sober Lindsay Lohan.
The Other Guys: “the sound of your piss hitting the urinal sounds feminine”: THAT is what one calls DIALOGUE. The scene with the Securitie & Exchange Commission officer is arguably the wittiest of the year.
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Faster: Yet another allegory for redemption and forgiveness. Yes, us theologians like to read into Hollywood junk whenever possible. This was “quality crap” of out the Hollywood factory. A few scenes you just had to love: like Dwayne Johnson shooting a telemarketing guy in the head. How many times did we wish we can do that? Even the audience all said “oh!”.
Finally, my WORST movie of the year. That is hands down Ben Stiller as “Greenburg”. The character was just annoying and you hope he died (he didn’t). Not a single fucking redeeming quality for the movie. If I ever seen Ben Stiller on the street in Manhattan I’m going to ask him for my $12.50 or just aim my right elbow at the bridge of his nose. I may just boycott any new movie he makes now. The film was THAT bad.
Anyway, 2010 had some excellent movies and I look forward to the remainder of 2011: I’ve already viewed “The Rite” (B-movie, exorcism genre fare) and “Unknown” (garden vaireity thriller). So far, so good. 🙂 Oscar nite I’ll be on Facebook and Twitter delivering my commentary. Hope to see you then!
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