In a lead up to the 2011 year of the Oscars, Dave and I threw a small Oscars movie marathon last night in hopes of getting up to speed with all the film talk that has been going on. Since this is the first year where the Best Film nominee pool from five to ten, that means we just had more movies to watch. After excluding The Social Network, Inception and Toy Story 3 (three movies which Dave and I have seen), that gave us a somewhat substantial seven movies to watch. Quite a feat, but in the end we managed to watch five out of the seven films we had on our list. Winter's Bones and 127 Hours, we're coming for you next.
Thoughts on the movies we've watched, in order of last night's movie viewing sequence.
Black Swan - Whoever knew that ballet could be such a mindfuck? I have to come out to say that this is as much ballet as I've seen in my entire life. But in typical Darren Aronofsky fashion, anything can be changed into a mindfuck movie. It's got his typical signature auteurist moves, like the way everything fades to white at the end (The Wrestler) , the camera shot of the whole body from above (Requiem for a Dream). But all throughout the movie, I was just thinking about the dedication and tenacity required to be a great ballet dancer. It's really really something.
The Kids Are All Right - Great great writing - also the reason why I placed my bet on it as the winner for Best Screenplay. I think one of my favourite scenes has to be when the lesbian moms were trying to confront their son on whether he had a gay boyfriend, and because they never really specify who they're talking about, the son thinks that the moms are talking about his recent meeting with their sperm donor dad. Hilarity ensues. But also, how gorgeous is the house? That, my friends, is what you are able to afford on a surgeon's salary. I am in love with their huge kitchen top, especially since its the kind where you can actually prepare your food on it.
Also, I loved how they poked fun of the two actresses, when Julianne Moore was explaining to her son why they don't get their socks off watching lesbian porn. 'Usually they get straight female actresses, and the inauthenticity...' That was so deliciously ironic for me, seeing how Julianne Moore and Annette Benning are straight actresses playing gay lovers.
But out of all the movies, this film had the most 'emotional pull' for me. Emotional pull meaning how I personally feel drawn towards the characters and the 'spirit' of the film. You walk out of the movie thinking about your relationships, and how a relationship that seems so great on the surface can have deep cracks in it.
The Fighter - Dear casting directors, please never cast Mark Walberg in any movies again. Seriously, did this guy go to any acting school at all? Next time when Mark Walberg goes into an audition room, take a sack of potatoes and place it near him when he auditions. Look at Mark when he's acting. Look at the sack of potatoes. Look at Mark again. Look at the sack of potatoes. See any difference? No? Geez, that's insulting to the bag of potatoes.
But an incredibly slow start to the movie. I was really fidgety and making all sorts of nasty comments about the movie and the plot. Also, you see Amy Adams nipples, which is weird because everytime I see her, I think 'Disney Princess'. But now she plays the character of underdeveloped feisty girlfriend who gets into cat fights. Also, how unrealistic is the relationship dynamic between Mark Walberg and Amy Adams? If a guy promises to call and bring you out on a first date and he's a no-show, who marches over to his house to demand an explanation? Won't you just write the guy off as a douchebag? Especially when all you know about him is that he's a boxer?
The King's Speech - Whoever knew that something as small as a speech impediment could provide fodder for such an interesting story? (When I say small, I mean in terms of other Oscar film themes that usually revolve around epic wars and other dramatics. I don't mean that speech impediments are something to be regarded as something minor.) Colin Firth's acting is great. I love the sets and the cinematography, and how everything feels so English.
True Grit - How are the Coen Brothers so damn prolific? But again, this has all the styles of Coen Brothers. The lengthy dialogue talking about nothing in particular, the speech (always some kind of a slang!), Jeff Bridges. But I need to watch this again, because I fell asleep at 3am, right smack in the middle of the movie.
My bets for the 2011 Oscar winners
Best Actor - James Franco for 127 Hours. Initially chose Colin Firth for The King's Speech, but realistically, I think James Franco will draw more votes for gnawing off his own arm.
Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale for The Fighter. Pairing Christian Bale with Mark Walberg just made it so much more painfully obvious how Mark Walberg cannot act. Also, during the end credits where they were showing the two brothers whom the story was based on, it's so obvious that Bale did a wonderful job imitating real life.
Best Actress - Natalie Portman for Black Swan. It was a toss up between her and Annette Bening, but I think Natalie Portman showed a greater range of emotions, showing a dedicated frigid, sex-shy girl before her descent into madness. Although I'm secret rooting for Annette Bening, I think the votes will go to Portman.
Best Supporting Actress - Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit. Again, it was a toss up between her and Melissa Leo in The Fighter, who again, acted circles around Mark Walberg.
Best Picture - The King's Speech - for having the movie with the most well-roundedness that movies need. Good characters, good script, enough emotional pull, good acting, good cinematography and art direction.
Best Director - Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan and for messing with my mind.
Best Adapted Screenplay - The Social Network.
Best Original Screenplay - The Kids Are All Right
Let's see how many picks I get right tomorrow.
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