Oscar Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2012 Academy Awards. Some of the categories are complete guesses and some are upsets I am hoping for. For the most part I feel the great love of The Artist will have it winning many categories.

Best Picture – The Artist

Best Director – The Artist

Best Actor – The Artist

Best Actress – Viola Davis- The Help

Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer – The Help

Best Original Screenplay – Woody Allen – Midnight in Paris

Best Adapted Screenplay – Moneyball- (This is one of the tightest races it is a close call with The Descendants but I am an Aaron Sorkin fan so going with Moneyball)

Best Animated Feature Film-Rango

Best Foreign Film- A Separation

Best Art Direction- Hugo

Best Costume- Jane Eyre (Always go with the movie that has the biggest costumes and it was either Jane Eyre or Anonymous)

Best Original Song- “Man or Muppet”

Best Original Score- The Artist (Since it is a silent movie the score makes the whole movie but in my opinion it wasn’t that great. I hope that John Williams wins for either War Horse or The Adventures of Tintin)

Best Documentary- Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

Best Documentary (Short) – The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom (complete guess)

Best Cinematography – The Tree of Life (the only thing people can agree on about The Tree of Life is the cinematography)

Best Editing – The Artist

Best Make-Up- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (why not Harry Potter should win at least one award)

Best Sound Editing- Transformers: Dark of the Moon (no one is talking about Transformers winning any awards and Hugo is actually the frontrunner in the sound categories but I predict upset)

Best Sound Mixing - Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Best Visual Effects- Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Rise of the Planet of the Apes or Hugo are the frontrunners and both are better movies but Transformers is just one giant special effect and should get some recognition)

Best Short Film (Animated) - La Luna (complete guess)

Best Short Film (Live Action) – Time Freak ( I actually have seen 2 movies in this category and this is one of the funniest short movies and hope it gets the award)

Best Picture Nominees and Politics

I once read an article that said the movies that are nominated during an election year represent the issues of the day. I read this in 2000 when the movies nominated for Best Picture of 1999 included American Beauty, The Sixth Sense, The Cider House Rules, The Insider, and The Green Mile. The article claimed based on these movies the issues that were most on people’s minds were Family Values (American Beauty, The Sixth Sense and The Cider House Rules), corporate corruption (The Insider) and capital punishment (The Green Mile). Since then we have had 2 more elections and it hasn’t been to clear how the all the movies lined up with the issues although some movies are obvious. In 2004 Mystic River dealt with child molestation and violent crimes but what issues did Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King represent? In 2008 the issues were much clearer. We again had corporate corruption (Michael Clayton), the power of oil and religion (There Will be Blood), Teenage Pregnancy (Juno) and violence in society (No Country for Old Men).

So what about 2012? Well with 9 movies nominated it is harder to say. A recurring theme is the idea of looking for something. Hugo, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and War Horse all have boys looking for something a key, a dad’s secret, and a horse. Midnight in Paris, Hugo, and The Artists take a nostalgic look at the past. But overall the social issues addressed are jobs, war, race, and care for the earth and others.

Here are the nominations and how they might represent the talking points of this year’s election. Some of these are a stretch and some are really easy, and since I didn't see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close or War Horse I am just going on what I have heard about them.

The Artist- A movie about how new technology threatens ones lively hood. Issues addressed – Fear of the new and the loss of jobs. Jobs will be a big issue in the election.

The Descendants- About a man who struggles with to keep his family together during the sickness of his wife. Issues addressed – Family Values with side plots that involve capitalism vs. conservationism and end of life issues like living wills. This election cycle has not been so much about family values but the side plot of preserving a piece of land or using it to make money has been talked about.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close – About a boy dealing with the aftermath of 9/11. Issues addressed –After 10 years we are still dealing with our feelings about that day. 9/11 always seems to be a talking point during the elections.

The Help - About black maids in the South during the 50’s. Issues addressed- Racial tensions. Race is another talking point that always seems to find its way into the discussion.

Hugo – About a boy looking for the key to his robot and how he fits into the world, also the loss of ones lively hood after technology changes. Issues addressed- Dealing with loss and finding your place in the world. With a lot of people out of jobs everyone is looking for how they fit into the current picture.

Midnight in Paris – About a guy who looks back on the past as being a great time. Issues addressed – The way we romanticize the past and not look at how it really was. There have been lots of talk about returning to the policies of the past when everything was better.

Moneyball – About a poor team trying to compete with teams with more money. Issues addressed – The struggle between the rich and the poor. The perfect movie for the Occupy Wall Street crowd.

The Tree of Life – About spirituality and the struggle between human nature and grace. Issues addressed- The battle between doing what is good for the many vs. what is good for self. This can be another metaphor for the battle between socialism and capitalism.

War Horse – About a boy who looks for his horse during WWI. Issues addressed – The effects of war on people. With the country ending one war and the talk of a war with Iran you know that this will be a hot topic.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

My first by request movie review. Thanks Chris for suggesting the movie.
So what if Giorgio Tsoukalos was right and Ancient Aliens did visit us in the past but instead of gods they were clowns? And what if they came back in their big top tent spaceship and started killing people?  That is the question that Killer Klowns from Outer Space asks (I love that there is actually a quote about ancient aliens in the movie).  Obviously this movie is just another cheese fest from the 80's. 

As the title promises the movie is about killer clowns from outer space.  After seeing a meteor crash while making out two teenagers go and discover that it really was a space ship that looks like a circus big top.    After further investigation they find out that the clowns that live inside the space ship are there to kill people.  Using tracking balloon animals, killer popcorn, and cotton candy cocoons to kill their victims the clowns unleash mayhem on the town.  Debbie and Mike with the help of Debbie's ex-boyfriend Dave who is a police officer set out to save the town.  Dave figures out the only way to kill the clowns is to shoot them in the nose.  With the help of two idiot brothers who drive an ice cream truck they manage to save the town.

The movie is silly and funny with very little gore and not very scary.  With a rating of PG-13 you can barely consider this a horror movie.  But it was obviously meant to be just a wacky movie. Unlike a movie like Troll 2 which was made to be a serious horror movie but failed at it.  I love that the space ship is a circus tent, the fact that the popcorn kills people, and the crazy way Dave destroys the head clown at the end. The premise is extremely out there but the movie does not take itself too seriously and can be enjoyed for the pure silliness that it is.  This is the perfect movie for people who like those really silly horror movie and it is probably best enjoyed with a group of friends who love the same.
 

Academy Award Predictions

Tuesday January 24^th the Academy Award Nominations will be announced. Here are my predictions on who is going to be nominated in some of the major categories. 

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Best Picture- This year for the first time there is no specific number of nominations for Best Picture. It can be anywhere from 5 – 10 with the actual number most likely coming somewhere in between. For my predictions I will go with the 7 movies I am pretty sure will get nominated.

1. The Artist-

2. The Descendants

3. The Help

4. Hugo

5. Midnight in Paris

6. Moneyball

7. War Horse- seemed a lock for Best Picture for a while but it’s recent snub by the Directors Guild it seems to be losing some ground

Three movies that are right on the cusp of getting nominated but I don’t think will are

8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo-With its recent nomination at the Directors Guild it seems to be getting some more attention but seems like it is too little too late.

9. The Tree of Life- A movie that really divided critics the question has always been will Academy voters give it enough first place votes. It seemed a long shot but it has been getting a lot of traction lately.

10. Bridesmaids- A movie that has gotten much love but raunchy comedies do not usually get Academy Nomination and there is no reason to think this year will be any different.

Best Director-With Spielberg’s recent snub at the DGA’s it makes this category a little more complicated.

1. Michel Hazanavicius-The Artist

2. Alexander Payne- The Descendants

3. Martin Scorsese- Hugo

4. Woody Allen- Midnight in Paris

5. Terrence Malick-Tree of Life - While I don’t think he will get a Best Picture nom I think they will give him a Best Director nom.

Best Actor-

1. Jean Dujardin – The Artist

2. George Clooney – The Descendants

3. Leonardo Dicaprio – J. Edgar

4. Brad Pitt – Moneyball

5. Michael Fassbender – Shame

Best Actress

1. Viola Davis – The Help

2. Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

3. Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn

4. Tilda Swinton - We Need to Talk About Kevin

5. Charlize Theron - Young Adult

Best Supporting Actor – While I hope Ben Kingsley gets nominated for Hugo right now it doesn’t look good. And I do not think Andy Serkis will get nominated for Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

1. Christopher Plummer – Beginners

2. Albert Brooks - Drive

3. Jonah Hill – Moneyball

4. Kenneth Branagh – My Week with Marilyn

5. Nick Nolte – Warrior

Best Supporting Actress

1. Bérénice Bejo – The Artist

2. Mellissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids – I think the only chance Bridesmaids has of getting an Oscar nomination

3. Shailene Woodley – The Descendants

4. Octavia Spencer - The Help

5. Jessica Chastain – The Help (while she has been in 3 other movies she could be nominated for it looks like this is the one she will get. Although I think she was better in Take Shelter)

Best Original Screenplay- The big question is wheather or not Bridesmaids can sneak its way onto the list. There are not that many strong contenders so it is possible.

1. Will Reiser – 50/50

2. Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

3. Woddy Allen- Midnight in Paris

4. Tom McCarthy – Win Win

5. Diablo Cody – Young Adult

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash – The Descendants

2. Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin – Moneyball

3. John Logan- Hugo

4. Tate Taylor – The Help

5. Steven Zaillian – The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Best Animated Feature

1. The Adventurs of Tintin

2. Cars 2

3. Rango

4. Kung Fu Panda 2

5. Puss in Boots

2012 Golden Globe Predictions

Tonight is the Golden Globes so thought I would give my predictions. Purely guessing on most of these.

Best Picture Drama – Hugo

Best Picture Comedy – The Artist

Best Animated Film – Rango

Best Foreign Language Film – A Separation

Best Actor Drama – George Clooney – The Descendants

Best Actress Drama – Viola Davis – The Help

Best Actor Comedy- Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Best Actress Comedy – Charlize Theron- Young Adult

Best Supporting Actor – Christopher Plummer - Beginners

Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer – The Help

Best Director – Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

Best Screenplay – Woddy Allen – Midnight in Paris

Best Original Score – Ludovic Bource –The Artist

Best Original Song – “Hello Hello” – Gnomeo and Juliet

Listomania Sunday: Favorite Silent Films

With the success of The Artist and the talk about silent films I thought I would make my list of my favorite silent films.

1.  The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) - Something about this movie was just amazing. Better then the other Joan of Arc movies that came out in the 90's. 
2.  Metropolis (1927) - One of the first big Sci-Fi movies. About a future society that keeps the workers separated from the wealthy.  Watched it again recently at the Milwaukee Film Fest in 2010 with a live orchestra.  It is now streaming on Netflix. When watching it you can see the influence it had on so many sci-fi movies to come after it.   
3.  Nosferatu: A Symphony of horror (1922) - After watching The Shadow of the Vampire which is about the making of this movie I had to check it out. One of the first film adaptions of Dracula with a very creepy vampire.  I recommend watching both Shadow of the Vampire and Nosferatu (available on Netflix Streaming)
4.  Sunrise: A Tale of Two Humans (1927) - In 1929 the year of the first Academy Awards it was the first and only time there were two Best Picture Picture categories. This one won Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production.  It follows a common theme from 20 movies about a city girl coming in and taking the country girls husband. Thinking he is in love with the city girl the guy decides to kill his wife and make it look like a boating accident.  An unexpectedly dark film from the silent era. But it was directed by F.W. Murnau who also directed Nosferatu so guess it shouldn't have been that unexpected.
5.  City Lights (1931)- After the rest of Hollywood decided to convert to solely making "talkies" Charlie Chaplin decided to continue to make his trademark silent comedies. But in my opinion this one had more heart then his previous movies. Here the little tramp tries to raise money for a blind girl he falls in love with.  It was named Best Romantic Comedy by AFI. 

Best of 2011

Well its a new year and thought I would do a year end list.  While I did not many of the  movies I wanted to see this year and haven't seen many of the movies getting all the attention this time of year I still thought it would be fun to do a list.

1. The Help- while it has been called a white guilt film it is still one of the best movies I have seen this year.  Great acting and good story. 
2.  Bridesmaids- The funniest movie I have seen all year.
3.  Circumstance-One of the best movies I saw at Sundance in 2011 even it won the Audience Award and got a very limited release in theatres but wish more people had got a chance to see it. It is about two girls in Iran who fall in love.  The very limited release probably had something to do with it being in a foreign language and about lesbians. 
4.  Martha Marcy May Marlene-Another Sundance movie but this one did get a wider release and more recognition.  With great acting especially by newcomer and younger Olsen sister Elizabeth Olsen.
5.  Attack the Block-In a year filled alien invasion  movies this was one of the most original and coolest looking one. 
6.  Red State- Who knew that Kevin Smith could write an action thriller with one of the best endings of the year. 
7.  Sound of my Voice- Another great movie I saw at Sundance but did not get released but hopefully one day it will. About an investigative reporters that infiltrate a cult.  I heard the writers originally planned this as a trilogy hope it works would love to see more.
8. and 9. Rise of the Planet of the Apes and X-Men: First Class- Two of the best action movies of they year.
10.  Hanna -  Another cool action movie with an awesome soundtrack from The Chemical Brothers. Hope it gets a Best Score nod at the Academy Awards.   

Honorable Mention:
Although I didn't want to put it in the top 10 the movie that I probably talked about the most this year was The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence.  With it's over the top gore and violence was a big topic of conversation. 

Best Documentaries
1.  Rebirth - About the lives of those affected by the 9/11 attacks. It was very emotional and inspiring.
2.  The Interrupters - Caught this one at the Milwaukee Film Fest about ex gang members who try to stop violence in Chicago. Very timely and impotrant film.
3.  Marathon Boy - Missed it at the Milwaukee Film Fest but caught it on HBO. Very interesting documentary about an Indian boy who like to run or did he?  What starts off as a interesting story about what appears to be an over enthusiastic coach turns into a political thriller.  Never seen a documentary take such a weird turn of events.
4.  Becoming Santa - A fun little documentary about a guy who decides to be Sana one year and his different experiences.
5. Make Believe- About a group of kids who enter a magic contest in Las Vegas.  The coolest thing about seeing this at the Milwaukee Film Festival was hanging out with some of the kids afterward.

Honorable Mention:
Another movie that I talked about a lot but didn't make my list was Hot Coffee. Very interesting story but a little too one sided.