2010 MY OSCAR REVIEWS

MY OSCAR PREVIEW

Every year we go through this charade of nominating films that experts believe to be true works of art. Personally I prefer the award shows that are based on the public opinion, but as a society we have grown to recognize the Academy Awards as the most prestigious show. Every year I make it a point to be the ultimate pop culture maven and see each of the 5 best nominated films, so that I can be a well-informed viewer of this award show. This year the Academy threw us a curveball. They decided to nominate the 10 best pictures. They can justify and spin this decision in any direction but it’s very evident to me why this decision was made. They wanted suckers like me to see all these films and the best way to ensure that is to nominate them. In interest of time, I will score all 10 movies but I’ll recap my top 7 favorites. These are not predictions but rather reflections. My requirements are quite simple. I like to take essential elements in moviemaking and see them bond together into a story worth watching. I want to come away from the movie feeling some emotion (Happy, Anger, bewilderment, anguish). There is one quality I don’t want to feel coming out of the theater and that is benevolence.

#10

District 9 – Overall Score 51 out of 100

#9

An Education – Overall Score 57 out of 100

#8

A Serious Man – Overall Score 60 out of 100

#7

THE HURT LOCKER

OVERALL SCORE: 77 out of 100

Let me make this very clear. The movie is completely overrated by the critics and is perhaps the most disappointing movie of this crop in my eyes. I admit that I came into this movie expecting it to be more than it delivered. I am partial to war movies and explosives. It came across as very indulgent and lacked a fluid story with dialogue that bonds together an entire production. It was filmed with limited cameras as if to portray a pseudo-documentary but the story disappeared after the first sequence. I would say that the first 10 minutes of the firm set such a high standard that it was never able to match that momentum for the final120 minutes.

PLOT: 18 out of 20. The plot takes us to Iraq where we follow an elite trio of men whose duty it is to diffuse bombs. The idea itself is an important story to tell because of how true it rings today. This is not a work of fiction. This is a real job with real people in a real war in real time.

WRITING: 12 out of 20. Obviously the movie itself takes liberties with the characters. One of these liberties is to create friction by having one of these characters to be a hotshot technician who doesn’t obey orders. Other then that plot development, the story comes across as 4-5 vignettes of real life situations, a car bomb, a random firefight and a bunch of IEDS. The storylines of these characters were pretty generic and it never really built into anything more than a bunch of men diffusing bombs. Maybe the purpose was to make it feel unscripted. If that were truly the case, I never felt any emotional attachment to what they were doing and to be honest, I never felt the tenseness that should be felt when watching a character I should care about. If they wanted to create suspense, they should have cast Jack Bauer instead.

DIRECTION: 14 out of 20. Once again the Oscars selected Kathleen Bigelow as the nominee because it’s a good story. She could be the first female to win as best director and she is up against her ex-husband James Cameron. Other than the Oscar storylines, I didn’t see much in the film that said, “Wow, this was nicely directed.”

ACTING: 15 out of 20. The Actor who played William James (Jeremy Renner) stuck out a bit because the perspective of the movie became more about his journey then the others. The other guys seemed to graciously support his role but in a film with minimal focus on character development, it’s kind of hard to select great performances.

DESIGN: 18 out of 20. There is nothing more authentic then recreating the scenes in the streets, deserts and locations where a lot of these bombs are set off in real life. I believe this movie was shot in the mideastern countries of Kuwait and Jordan. It’s very plausible that the element of danger for the actors was more intense then the characters that they portrayed. It was also neat getting a peak into the bomb outfits, terrain and barracks of a typical unit would see in action. Very realistic vibe.

# 6

AVITAR

OVERALL SCORE: 84 out of 100

It was perhaps the most publicly anticipated movie of the crop. Truthfully I would have skipped seeing if it wasn’t being presented as the Oscar favorite. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the difference between a generic sci-fi flick and an Oscar contender is the pure fact that this movie was presented in 3D. To the films credit, it was an innovative way of reframing the movie theater experience and James Cameron can now be considered a pioneer.

DIRECTION: 18 out of 20. In a way this aspect can be overlooked by some. Due to the special effects, the actors needed a very detailed description of time, place and situation. This movie was mostly shot in vacant lots with no concrete props or settings. They had to reply on the vision of the director. Because of this unique scenario, I give high grades to Director, James Cameron to helping present his vision on how the characters should move and react.

PLOT: 13 out of 20: The concept was there but the plot became stale and somewhat predictable. It was easy to see how things were developing and how things were going to end. It also became evident that it stole themes from Dances with Wolves and The Matrix. They say that art imitates life and it really felt like a future version of the Iraq war. Instead of fighting for oil these people were fighting for some expensive mineral rocks under a tree. The plot became a bit unimaginative.

WRITING: 15 out of 20: The dialogue itself was not memorable. I feel that on the surface the words themselves helped paint a picture of what was happening in the movie but it still felt like lines could have been easily substituted with lines from epic pictures like “Dances with Wolves” or “The Gladiator.”

They've sent us a message... that they can take whatever they want. Well we will send them a message. That this... this is our land!....”And Tell Them Scotland is Free”

ACTING: 18 out of 20. It’s odd because in this particular movie the acting and direction is essentially tied together as much as the writing and plot. In other words, my salute to the acting is for the same reasons I gave to the direction. It’s a lot easier to play your role when the actor has something to hold, use or incorporate into their character. If you saw how this movie is created, you gain a much bigger appreciation on how the actors got from point “A” to point “B.” These actors never saw what Pandora looked like until the film was edited together. It’s kind of the same reason I appreciate actors that work with cartoons because in Hollywood these cartoons are created in post production. For these reasons, I believe Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington were overlooked for best actor / actress nominations.

DESIGN: 100 out of 100: When you see this film, particularly in 3D IMAX, you realize that you are witnessing the Picasso of cinematography. The layers of thought into the land of Pandora and even the portal tombs of transformation given to Jake Sully (Don’t call me Sullenberger) illustrates the beauty, wonder and innovation 3D can bring to the movie experience. The way the fierce Pandora animals were illuminated and the glorious battle near the films end truly made me feel like I was in the middle of an amusement park attraction. To simply say it was amazing would be an understatement. It was a true creation to which all films will try to replicate.

# 5

INGLORIUS BASTARDS

TOTAL SCORE – 85 out of 100

This movie had a little bit of everything. It had comedy and gore. A friend of mine thought the pacing was slow (The movie is 2 hrs and 30 minutes). I think that pacing was sacrificed for authenticity. Around 70% of the movie is in subtitles. I don’t think it detracted from the overall value of the movie but it did make the viewer focus harder to stay on top of the plot.

DIRECTION – 19 out of 20. Besides Scorsese, there may not be a better filmmaker better than Quentin Tarintino at this time. The beauty of his films is they do have similar elements, which make the viewer recognize his style instantly. From the quirky direction to the perfectly selected music intertwined. This movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s hard to dispute the full composition of this Tarintino work of art.

PLOT – 16 out of 20 – You really have to suspend everything you knew about Nazis and Jews. Like “Hurt Locker,” it seemed more like vignettes than a fluid progressive plot. Unlike “The Hurt Locker,” this plot was more effective because these “chapters” actually came to together to tell a story. It was an odd story but it least it tied together in the end.

WRITING –19 out of 20 – If we are studying words and dialogue, you must recognize that the first 20 minutes of the film set the stage. There were great moments and none of it got lost in translation. It skipped from uncomfortable laugher to poignant changes.

ACTING – 14 out of 20 – None of the Bastards distinguished themselves. Brad Pitts character (Aldo) was naturally good and the performance by Melanie Laurant, who played Shoshanna, is underrated but this movie was not made to feature individual talents. It was constructed as an ensemble piece. In that respect it was successful. I really did enjoy how Tarintino worked in a Cameo by Mike Meyers.

DESIGN – 17 – 20 – Nothing really stuck out. It did have a certain authenticity to the period of time the movie represented but most scenes were shot in restaurants, homes, fields and a movie theater. My grade is in acknowledgement of the detail of the time period.

#4

UP

TOTAL SCORE: 88 OUT OF 100

In the story of “Up” you must suspend your norms of reality and recognize that it can take a far different approach then traditional films because it is as an animated film. The aspects that make this a best picture contender are ever-present in the recipe for best pictures. It has a story that is well-told. There are characters I care about and the writer has a storyboard that incorporates any blockbuster film. It has a beginning, middle and an end. Sounds like a simple philosophy that often gets tinkered with and in lost with other films.

PLOT: 17 out of 20. The movie focuses in on Carl Fredrickson, a retired ballooner (It’s the best way I can describe a character with a deep love and expertise for balloons). He decides to fulfill his lifelong dream that he had with his deceased wife and build a house in Paradise Falls , located in South America. He turns his house into a giant hot air balloon and takes off on what he thought would be a solo journey. What he didn’t account for was an 8-year-old wilderness scout sneaking along for the ride. Together it creates a dynamic that really warmed my heart as I felt like I was part of their journey.

DIRECTION: 16 out of 20. It’s hard to measure or compare because the role of director in an animated film as far different then a feature film. The one consistency is to help bridge the actor voices and the storyline in a way that makes sense to the audience. In a way, Bob Peterson and Pete Doctor created this experience. The true heroes of this film are the 200 plus animation directors and art directors that bring these characters to life on the screen.

ACTING: 19 out of 20. Once again a tough category to judge since it’s based purely on voiceovers. In that respect, I can say that Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer steal the show but we also have to recognize the voice of Russell. The role was performed by an actual 8-year-old child, Jordan Nagai. I point this out because cartoon children are often voiced by adults who can age their voices to fit the role. I find it amazing that they found a real life child to fit this role.

WRITING: 19 out of 20. When you utilize the word writing it goes beyond simple words. It speaks more about how they advance the plot. When I reflect upon all 10 nominated films this year, I think back to the memorable lines and I try to imagine, which were the best. In “Up” there was a 5-minute moment that takes the cake in best writing in this year’s crop of films. It consisted of a simple montage of two children meeting, falling in love and growing old together. It was unbelievable because it was so true to form of real life. They had their careers, their dreams but more importantly they did all together. Every time they saved for something big, something else became a priority. When the dream of travelling to South America became a reality, the wife got ill and then passed. I’m not going to lie, I cried. I felt something at that moment and throughout the film. For that it earns a perfect score.

DESIGN: 17 out of 20. I don’t want to downplay the work required to do a Disney film. Watching a house fly with balloons was majestic. It took imagination and creativity to put it all together. So my respect for this film goes beyond the setting but more about the music and sound that goes into the total package of this film.

# 3

UP IN THE AIR

OVERALL SCORE: 89 out of 100

This movie explores a topic that often gets neglected in TV shows and movies. In a world where there are dozens of detective, hospital and reality shows, we have a lifestyle that is portrayed in a moving and in poetic light. There is an underground society of frequent travelers. These are people who do a significant amount of travel during their career. I know the type because my brother-in-law and mother-in-law fit this bill. They each have the code of airport-speak and each of them proudly announces what their airline status is and how many points that can acquire to get the next best deal. They know their way around most domestic airports and can tell you the best restaurants in each city. These are the kind of characters we follow in “Up in the Air.”

DIRECTION – 16 out of 20 – The setting, time and direction is pretty simplistic but for a movie that dares to just tell a story without gunfight and car chases, it’s better suited for this style.

PLOT – 18 out of 20 – This is up for interpretation but the fact that I have no other movie of its kind to compare it to, leaves me to admire its originality and unique twists in discovering the lifestyles of the well-traveled.

WRITING – 20 out of 20 – Brilliantly written. There are memorable lines that not only advance the plot but advance the characters intentions. There are two scenes in particular that strike me as movie magic. One involves the three main characters having a poignant discussion on marriage from 2 generational aspects. The other involves Clooney’s Character and Kendrick’s character in an awesome verbal debate near the end of the movie.

ACTING – 20 out of 20 – It’s a small cast. Really it centers around 3 main characters who have all been nominated for Oscars.

DESIGN – 15-20 –Nothing to brag home about. The film only cost $5 million to make, which is chump change in Hollywood. But most of the plot takes place in airport terminals and hotel rooms. So the need for a big blue prototype from Pandora was not a necessity for this comedic introspective.

TOTAL SCORE: 89 out of 100

# 2

THE BLINDSIDE

OVERALL SCORE: 95 out of 100

This is the most underrated and least talked about movie of 2009. In my opinion it had something for everyone. It appealed to a mass audience and it had a great foundation of characters. It told the story of an unwanted teen who gets passed on from foster home to foster home until a wealthy suburban couple takes him in, changes his life and helps him realize his life dream of playing in the NFL.

PLOT: 20 out of 20. There is nothing better for a movie then a plot that already exists. It was a true rag to riches story. It’s about a black teenage boy without a home and a terrible upbringing who overcomes his inabilities and inefficiencies. He captures the love of a random white suburban family, who help change his life and turn him into a better man and even better football player.

DIRECTION: 19 out of 20. John Lee Hancock was overlooked as best director. I think critics felt that since the story already existed, there was nothing more to explore in this story. What I loved about this film was that it was primarily told from the perspective of the mother Leigh Anne Tuohy but at different parts of the film, the story is presented from the perspective of the father, the sister, the brother, the tutor and the main character himself. It was very subtle but well thought out.

WRITING: 17 out of 20. The writing was often cliché and predictable but it served its purpose. It did advance the film but in a way that was more Hollywood and less true to form. It’s unlikely that the young son helped physically train the main character, Michael Oher. Its also unlikely that Leigh Anne Tuohy helped the high school team by coaching from the stands but then again the movie was based on real life events and not literal on real life events.

ACTING: 20 out of 20. Another perfect score. It is common that an actress gets chosen for an Oscar for sentimental reasons. It’s very plausible that Sandra Bullock will earn this truly on merits. Her stiffest completion could be Gabourey Sidbe of “Precious” whose chilling performance is also Oscar worthy. The most compelling performance in this film came from the least likely character, Jae Head. He was obviously given some juicy one liners but he came across as a child who had honesty and likability to his role. It’s much different then Macaulay Culkin or Haley Joel Osmont as the cute young stars of their time. Jae Head actually came across as less indulgent and more believable as the wide-eyed super involved brother in this film.

DESIGN: 19 out of 20. It had fun music, great football scenes and I felt the Memphis presence. It was the perfect backdrop for the film.

# 1

PRECIOUS

OVERALL SCORE: 97 out of 100

Every so often a story hits you right in the gut and makes you appreciate everything that you have in life. Something as simple as a decent home filled with love and a meal more delicious then hairy pig’s feet and stolen drumsticks.

PLOT: 19 out of 20. This story is unfortunately the reality of a lot of black women in America. Precious is abused at home, on welfare, has a limited education and is mocked by her peers. The beauty of this story is that we are can see a better future for her. We see her overcome these obstacles and stand up for herself. It projects strength through adversity and with just a little bit of support and self realization, Precious becomes more than a name, it’s a gift. I loved everything that this film stood for even during its most chilling moments.

DIRECTION: 20 out of 20. Lee Daniels unfortunately finds himself cluttered in the one category abundant of talent, Best Directors. That’s not to take anything away from his vision. I keep using the word chilling but when you combine it with compelling, you have a parlay of unique characteristics that bring us into this world that so few of us know much about. I imagine that the typical movie viewer lacks the compassion to make this movie more of a mainstream buzz. Not me, I felt something much deeper then what you get from leaving a movie theater. It made me think a little bit deeper about those who were born into a misfortunate environment then most. These thoughts are directly associated with how Lee Daniels presents his ideas, themes and visions of beauty versus vulgar. This was presented in the scenes where Precious suffered the most, she always dreamed of the best.

WRITING: 19 out of 20. One of my favorite lines is that “Every journey begins with a single step.” I love how this story evolved and how every moment was suspenseful and impactful. The actually spoken words between mother and child were captivating and filled with veracity and intrigue. I also felt Precious build a trust with the social worker and alternative teacher in equally powerful moments presented in spoken word.

ACTING: 20 out of 20. Every single actor in this film was outstanding with no exaggeration. From the students in Precious class to the scary portrayal of her mother Mary. If there were a best acting ensemble, this would be the clear winner.

DESIGN: 19 out of 20. How does one create a scene of such despair and yet enlightenment? It was a difficult task but it was relative and truthful to the story. The sound design was a bit underappreciated. The music appealed to the feel of the movie.

TOTAL SCORE 97 out of 100