Some thoughts on… Oscar 2009
The Oscars are on February 22, and though the awards are not necessarily a reflection of the best films of the year, it is always a fun event. In preparation for Oscar night, everyone is encouraged to fill out the Official 2009 Oscar Ballot at: http://wk.awards.portnoy.org/ or if you are in NY come watch at our place. Remember if you do fill out the ballot, please send $10 to the pool. (I am very serious about this!) You can email me directly to get the address.
Reviews of the main contenders have already been provided in previous blogs. Slumdog Millionaire is the juggernaut for best film (and should be) while Milk could be a sly underdog. Doubt had strong individual performances but the whole did not sum. The Dark Knight was robbed of a best picture nomination
I’ll also provide my $0.02 on the other movies that were recognized this year, but I couldn’t figure out how to interweave into previous postings.
Ron Howard’s Frost/ Nixon is an ingenious retelling of the infamous Nixon interview. Several years after his impeachment, Nixon provided a set of interviews to set the record straight on his political contributions. Everyone was hoping for a formal apology on Watergate, or at least recognition of wrongdoing. The oral statement never occurred but the President’s expression at the end of the interview articulates his acknowledgement of power lost and integrity never regained. Frank Langella embodies the fallen leader in presence, tone and impact – easily the strongest best actor performance of the year.
Kung-Fu Panda is the sublime story of a pot-bellied hero striving to become a ninja warrior through introspection and good noodles. Borrowing from Japanese anime and the martial arts genre, the film provides a bewitching story that makes the Chinese incredulous that it was created outside the Mainland. My pick for best animated picture.
WALL-E is the tale of a trash-compactor completing his task on a post-apocalyptic Earth. A blithe spirit, he watches scenes from Hello Dolly and yearns for companionship. The Pixar animation stuns as always, but the fable falters as it moves from the robot’s search for love to a Brothers Grimm story of human fallibility. This is likely to win the best animated film Oscar, but I’m rooting for the Panda.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is well named, because I am still questioning how this Forest Gump meets Hurricane Katrina story garnered 12 Oscar nominations. It undoubtedly has excellent effects, and Brad Pitt is handsome but best picture and best actor? The allegory of a man forced to live his life backwards provides insight into the need to have a purpose for being, the inexorable whims of fate, and how love can carry across generations. But the movie bites off much more than it delivers. In the end, we’re left with three hours of southern accents and impassioned pleas to love people as they are. Brad should be ready to give up the trophy with his usual poise.
In Tropic Thunder, Robert Downey, Jr is an actor so serious in his role that he is willing to don black-face and continue in character despite the obvious fact that his movie is no longer shooting. Robert Downey is back in force after some troubled years, but his turn in Iron Man demonstrated much subtler acting, and Tom Cruise’s cameo is the real show-stealing Thunder. This year, the best supporting actor category belongs to Heath Ledger.
Surprisingly, Kate Winslet wasn’t nominated for Revolutionary Road, but she should have been. A suburban wife unable to unleash her creativity finds a solution to captivity through unbearable means. This Hedda Gabbler redux brings an upsetting update to women’s rights in the modern age. Best actress should go to Kate W. this year.
Woody Allen wrote Penelope Cruz’s part in Vicky Christina Barcelona with her in mind. Javier Bardem is dapper, svelte and charming, but Penelope’s reckless artist wife throws morality to the wind and becomes the essence of true love. A grand performance, but one of the ladies from Doubt is going to get best supporting actress in the end.
The movies I haven’t had a chance to see yet are: The Wrestler, The Reader, Rachel Getting Married and The Changeling. If you have seen them, please do add your comments and critiques. Good luck on the Oscar pool next Sunday.
February 15, 2009
Reviews of the main contenders have already been provided in previous blogs. Slumdog Millionaire is the juggernaut for best film (and should be) while Milk could be a sly underdog. Doubt had strong individual performances but the whole did not sum. The Dark Knight was robbed of a best picture nomination
I’ll also provide my $0.02 on the other movies that were recognized this year, but I couldn’t figure out how to interweave into previous postings.
Ron Howard’s Frost/ Nixon is an ingenious retelling of the infamous Nixon interview. Several years after his impeachment, Nixon provided a set of interviews to set the record straight on his political contributions. Everyone was hoping for a formal apology on Watergate, or at least recognition of wrongdoing. The oral statement never occurred but the President’s expression at the end of the interview articulates his acknowledgement of power lost and integrity never regained. Frank Langella embodies the fallen leader in presence, tone and impact – easily the strongest best actor performance of the year.
Kung-Fu Panda is the sublime story of a pot-bellied hero striving to become a ninja warrior through introspection and good noodles. Borrowing from Japanese anime and the martial arts genre, the film provides a bewitching story that makes the Chinese incredulous that it was created outside the Mainland. My pick for best animated picture.
WALL-E is the tale of a trash-compactor completing his task on a post-apocalyptic Earth. A blithe spirit, he watches scenes from Hello Dolly and yearns for companionship. The Pixar animation stuns as always, but the fable falters as it moves from the robot’s search for love to a Brothers Grimm story of human fallibility. This is likely to win the best animated film Oscar, but I’m rooting for the Panda.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is well named, because I am still questioning how this Forest Gump meets Hurricane Katrina story garnered 12 Oscar nominations. It undoubtedly has excellent effects, and Brad Pitt is handsome but best picture and best actor? The allegory of a man forced to live his life backwards provides insight into the need to have a purpose for being, the inexorable whims of fate, and how love can carry across generations. But the movie bites off much more than it delivers. In the end, we’re left with three hours of southern accents and impassioned pleas to love people as they are. Brad should be ready to give up the trophy with his usual poise.
In Tropic Thunder, Robert Downey, Jr is an actor so serious in his role that he is willing to don black-face and continue in character despite the obvious fact that his movie is no longer shooting. Robert Downey is back in force after some troubled years, but his turn in Iron Man demonstrated much subtler acting, and Tom Cruise’s cameo is the real show-stealing Thunder. This year, the best supporting actor category belongs to Heath Ledger.
Surprisingly, Kate Winslet wasn’t nominated for Revolutionary Road, but she should have been. A suburban wife unable to unleash her creativity finds a solution to captivity through unbearable means. This Hedda Gabbler redux brings an upsetting update to women’s rights in the modern age. Best actress should go to Kate W. this year.
Woody Allen wrote Penelope Cruz’s part in Vicky Christina Barcelona with her in mind. Javier Bardem is dapper, svelte and charming, but Penelope’s reckless artist wife throws morality to the wind and becomes the essence of true love. A grand performance, but one of the ladies from Doubt is going to get best supporting actress in the end.
The movies I haven’t had a chance to see yet are: The Wrestler, The Reader, Rachel Getting Married and The Changeling. If you have seen them, please do add your comments and critiques. Good luck on the Oscar pool next Sunday.
February 15, 2009