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[REVIEWS] Films: Academy Awards
Jun. 2nd, 2010 11:25 pmIt's pretty rare that I get to see Oscar-nominated films before the Oscars, and this year was no exception. But I do usually make an effort to see the stuff that Hollywood deems award-worthy eventually. Here's a handful!
Up in the Air (2009)
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) -- and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman's smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.
This was nominated for Best Picture? Really? ...Well, okay. I mean, it wasn't bad. I was just really underwhelmed. Gorgeous George was, indeed, gorgeous. And talented, as always. I squee'd a little when Sam Elliott showed up on screen. Anna Kendrick actually kind of impressed me. But I wasn't really feeling any of the characters, the first half was boring and the second half was predictable, and I do not like Jason Bateman with a beard. :( [Rating: 3 stars]
The Blind Side (2009)
Oversized African American Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Sean (Tim McGraw), Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL. Bullock's performance garnered a Best Actress Oscar nomination and Best Actress Golden Globe Award. Kathy Bates co-stars.
I have a new favorite sports movie. Quinton Aaron is so cute I can hardly stand it. I loved the chemistry between all the actors; it made every single on-screen relationship interesting. There were parts that made me sad and parts that made me laugh. And even though I'm a complete football moron, I never had trouble understanding what was going on. Thumbs way, way up. (Also, hooray to this movie for reminding me that I actually do like Sandra Bullock; I just think she needs to step away from the "comedy.") [Rating: 5 stars]
A Single Man (2009)
This stream-of-consciousness, 1960s-era drama centers on a day in the life of George Falconer (Colin Firth, in an Oscar-nominated role), an English-born, Los Angeles college professor reeling from the recent death of his lover of 16 years. Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directoral debut with this luminous film, which is based on Christopher Isherwood's novel. Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lee Pace and Nicholas Hoult co-star.
The only thing keeping this from a five star rating is the fact that I, personally, could not watch it back-to-back. I'd need a couple of days between viewings. The first ten minutes made me cry two separate times. I didn't cry again after that, but there were definitely moments where it made my heart really hurt. I'm a little biased but Colin Firth was just plain amazing. Also noteworthy were the production design and the soundtrack. Un-freaking-believably wonderful. [Rating: 4.5 stars]
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Kathryn Bigelow directs this gripping drama (winner of the Best Picture Oscar) following one of the U.S. Army's elite EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams operating in the ferocious war zone of Iraq. As the squad identifies and dismantles improvised explosive devices and other bombs, they must also contend with the frayed nerves and internal conflicts that arise from living in constant peril. Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse and Guy Pearce star.
Jeremy Renner is cute as hell, and he was very good in this, but I still didn't like his character. I did like the movie, though. And that's saying something, because war movies aren't typically my thing. This was extremely well-shot, well-acted, and generally well-made. I can't objectively give it anything less than 4 stars. It definitely deserved its Oscars. [Rating: 4 stars]
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2008)
Viciously abused by her mother (a riveting, Oscar-winning Mo'Nique) and pregnant by her father, Harlem teen Precious Jones (Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe) has an unexpected chance at a different life when she enrolls in an alternative school. Teacher Blu Rain (Paula Patton) encourages her, but Precious must battle unimaginable barriers everywhere in her life. Lee Daniels directs this drama that features appearances by Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.
Objectively, this was a really good movie. The acting in particular was outstanding and powerful. Especially Mo'Nique. But I just found the subject matter so oppressively frustrating that I really couldn't fully enjoy it. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
Up in the Air (2009)
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) racks up miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to recent college grad Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) -- and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future. Golden Globe winner Jason Reitman's smart comedy also stars Jason Bateman.
This was nominated for Best Picture? Really? ...Well, okay. I mean, it wasn't bad. I was just really underwhelmed. Gorgeous George was, indeed, gorgeous. And talented, as always. I squee'd a little when Sam Elliott showed up on screen. Anna Kendrick actually kind of impressed me. But I wasn't really feeling any of the characters, the first half was boring and the second half was predictable, and I do not like Jason Bateman with a beard. :( [Rating: 3 stars]
The Blind Side (2009)
Oversized African American Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Sean (Tim McGraw), Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL. Bullock's performance garnered a Best Actress Oscar nomination and Best Actress Golden Globe Award. Kathy Bates co-stars.
I have a new favorite sports movie. Quinton Aaron is so cute I can hardly stand it. I loved the chemistry between all the actors; it made every single on-screen relationship interesting. There were parts that made me sad and parts that made me laugh. And even though I'm a complete football moron, I never had trouble understanding what was going on. Thumbs way, way up. (Also, hooray to this movie for reminding me that I actually do like Sandra Bullock; I just think she needs to step away from the "comedy.") [Rating: 5 stars]
A Single Man (2009)
This stream-of-consciousness, 1960s-era drama centers on a day in the life of George Falconer (Colin Firth, in an Oscar-nominated role), an English-born, Los Angeles college professor reeling from the recent death of his lover of 16 years. Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directoral debut with this luminous film, which is based on Christopher Isherwood's novel. Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lee Pace and Nicholas Hoult co-star.
The only thing keeping this from a five star rating is the fact that I, personally, could not watch it back-to-back. I'd need a couple of days between viewings. The first ten minutes made me cry two separate times. I didn't cry again after that, but there were definitely moments where it made my heart really hurt. I'm a little biased but Colin Firth was just plain amazing. Also noteworthy were the production design and the soundtrack. Un-freaking-believably wonderful. [Rating: 4.5 stars]
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Kathryn Bigelow directs this gripping drama (winner of the Best Picture Oscar) following one of the U.S. Army's elite EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) teams operating in the ferocious war zone of Iraq. As the squad identifies and dismantles improvised explosive devices and other bombs, they must also contend with the frayed nerves and internal conflicts that arise from living in constant peril. Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse and Guy Pearce star.
Jeremy Renner is cute as hell, and he was very good in this, but I still didn't like his character. I did like the movie, though. And that's saying something, because war movies aren't typically my thing. This was extremely well-shot, well-acted, and generally well-made. I can't objectively give it anything less than 4 stars. It definitely deserved its Oscars. [Rating: 4 stars]
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2008)
Viciously abused by her mother (a riveting, Oscar-winning Mo'Nique) and pregnant by her father, Harlem teen Precious Jones (Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe) has an unexpected chance at a different life when she enrolls in an alternative school. Teacher Blu Rain (Paula Patton) encourages her, but Precious must battle unimaginable barriers everywhere in her life. Lee Daniels directs this drama that features appearances by Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.
Objectively, this was a really good movie. The acting in particular was outstanding and powerful. Especially Mo'Nique. But I just found the subject matter so oppressively frustrating that I really couldn't fully enjoy it. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
