Muggles and wizards live in a wonderful world, we do, and last night I was smack dab in the middle of it. I knew I was in for a magical night when my first sight was a half dozen teens (quite normal looking really, except for the full-on Hogwarts robes and regalia). They were gathered around a table in the courtyard of the movie theater staring at a Sorting Hat (read the books). I was peeking in on a Sorting Ceremony of some kind. This would not be the strangest thing I saw last night. Besides the usual array of black robes and Griffyndor scarves, there was a fan dressed as the Hogwarts Clock Tower (no shit), a spitting-image double of Ginny Weasley complete with Weasley-red hair in a circular braid, and a six foot six Hagrid with padding and tangled beard. And the wands, dozens and dozens wands, casting imaginary spells. The girl next to me had her fingernails painted with HARRY POTTER lettering in the lightening bolt script, one letter per nail except for the middle finger of her right hand (two T's). How she could text with those nails I'll never know. You may never hear me say this again but I kinda wished I had a cell phone with a camera. It was a spectacular gathering. It made me feel young.
Now onto the film itself. If you aren't wrapped up in an invisibility cloak of all things Potter then you have missed the Hogwarts Express, because this film fulfills all the promises of the last four films. They were all prelude. The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is payoff. It has a mature feeling to it that has more to do with its tone than the chronological age of the lead characters. It's a more sophisticated action adventure, grittier, with darker and more complex themes. Mortality. Loyalty. Dedication to Cause. It's also a hell of a ride. It doesn't muck about for very long before the battle is engaged and boy, is it engaged. Spells fly and the wizarding world is in mortal peril. If you read the book you know who dies, but the film skillfully plants the seeds of doubt about what you've read. Could they, would they change the written word? The movie keeps us guessing, even with prior knowledge of the outcome, no small trick.
I have enjoyed every film in this series but until last night, I could never say that I enjoyed the film more than the book. That has changed. This film is clearer about what is happening and how its all going down than the book is. It's actually more skilled than the book. Rowling's strength has always been character and the detail of the world more so than plot. This film cleans up the ragged edges of the book's plot line. It answers all the questions seamlessly, flawlessly. And the Battle of Hogwarts takes your breath away. To see that place of joy look like a bomb-ravaged WWII city just breaks your heart.
The word I keep hearing about this film is "satisfying". Perfect. Any storyteller will tell you that the hardest thing to do is to end a great story greatly. That has been accomplished in the Harry Potter series, and that will ensure that more generations will fall in love with these young wizards. But me, I'm melancholy. I want more. I hate the mortality of these stories, even if that's the point of the whole thing. I think I'll drown my sorrows in a chapter of "Game of Thrones".
Friday, July 15, 2011
Return of the Prodigal Blogger
I have been away. My writing skills were needed elsewhere for a few months and it isn't easy for me to get out to a film these days. I'll try to play catch-up in the upcoming few months. So I'm back and what better way to reboot than with a trip to Hogwarts.....
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Oscar Nominated Shorts-Live Action
Well, another Oscar ceremony is in the books and as far as I can tell James Franco is still in hiding. The show that was supposed to be about youth and the new horizon was the stodgiest, most predictable, and boring Oscar ceremony in a long while. Hope they learned a lesson. The chronological age of your hosts doesn't place a show on the cutting edge. I had an off year in the pool (damn you "Alice In Wonderland"!) and was dethroned as the reigning winner of the bottle-our Oscar trophy (congrats Cathy and BJ).
But I did get to see all of the nominated shorts from the live action category. Had I seen them before the Oscars I might have.....ahhhh who am I kidding. It wouldn't have helped at all. I still would have picked the loser. But there is some good news. This year the shorts are uniformly excellent and not nearly as downbeat as last years batch. And they're on pay-per-view so you can watch them in your own living room. It is absolutely worth it. (Time Warner cable people it's under Video on Demand --Award Season) Unlike last year, it's totally worth the five bucks. Here we go:
The Confession (UK)- This is the longest of the films (26 min) and takes itself the most seriously. It's full of religious icons and allegory. Crosses everywhere. Two young boys are about to have their first communion but one doesn't have much to confess so they pull a prank that has far more serious consequences than either can imagine or handle. It's a meditation on sin and guilt and what we will always bear with us and it is meticulously crafted and beautifully executed. This was my least favorite, but I liked it better than every one of last years crop.
Wish 143 (UK)- This may have been my favorite. A sixteen year old boy is dying of cancer (stick with me). A make-a-wish organization asks what he might want as his wish. Easy. He wants to have sex. I told ya he was sixteen. He becomes "the cancer kid who wants to lose his virginity" and how the rest of this plays out is the most intricately plotted, emotional, charming, and funny film of the lot. Let me repeat that-CHARMING and FUNNY. There is a scene toward the end that will tug on your heart and may be the most powerful cinematic moment of 2010. Worth the five bucks just for this one.
Na WeWe (Belgium)- In this short, lives are at stake. A van full of people in Africa is stopped by a band of armed Hutu militia. They are looking for Tutsi tribesmen to kill. The question is who is Hutu and who is not. A series of miraculous interventions ensue, the last of which is from Bono (yes that Bono). Sound ridiculous? It's not. Tense and powerful it is. Might have easily been the winner in this category.
The Crush (Ireland)- This was my choice in the pool and had I seen it beforehand, I might have just stuck with it. It's that good. An Irish schoolboy has a crush on his teacher. A deep, serious crush. The kind of crush you can only have from the purity of a schoolboy's eyes. She is of course in an adult relationship and one that isn't, well, so sweet. Is the young boy a hero or a stalker/psychopath in training? It keeps you guessing, this little film. I like it.
God of Love (USA)- Here's our winner. I thought this was going to be about Mormon missionaries or Bible camp. Boy was I wrong. Our hero is a wild-haired crooner in a band with an affinity for torch songs and throwing darts. He's good at both. He loves the pretty young lady who is the drummer, but she only has eyes for his best friend. Enter a love package sent straight from Olympus and maybe, just maybe, a modern day Cupid is born. Sweet and whimsical and totally hip, the wild-haired lead should have been James Franco's replacement as Oscar host. A short film that is cool and funny and made in the USA? Of course it won. And actually it kind of deserves it.
Next up, the Animated shorts
But I did get to see all of the nominated shorts from the live action category. Had I seen them before the Oscars I might have.....ahhhh who am I kidding. It wouldn't have helped at all. I still would have picked the loser. But there is some good news. This year the shorts are uniformly excellent and not nearly as downbeat as last years batch. And they're on pay-per-view so you can watch them in your own living room. It is absolutely worth it. (Time Warner cable people it's under Video on Demand --Award Season) Unlike last year, it's totally worth the five bucks. Here we go:
The Confession (UK)- This is the longest of the films (26 min) and takes itself the most seriously. It's full of religious icons and allegory. Crosses everywhere. Two young boys are about to have their first communion but one doesn't have much to confess so they pull a prank that has far more serious consequences than either can imagine or handle. It's a meditation on sin and guilt and what we will always bear with us and it is meticulously crafted and beautifully executed. This was my least favorite, but I liked it better than every one of last years crop.
Wish 143 (UK)- This may have been my favorite. A sixteen year old boy is dying of cancer (stick with me). A make-a-wish organization asks what he might want as his wish. Easy. He wants to have sex. I told ya he was sixteen. He becomes "the cancer kid who wants to lose his virginity" and how the rest of this plays out is the most intricately plotted, emotional, charming, and funny film of the lot. Let me repeat that-CHARMING and FUNNY. There is a scene toward the end that will tug on your heart and may be the most powerful cinematic moment of 2010. Worth the five bucks just for this one.
Na WeWe (Belgium)- In this short, lives are at stake. A van full of people in Africa is stopped by a band of armed Hutu militia. They are looking for Tutsi tribesmen to kill. The question is who is Hutu and who is not. A series of miraculous interventions ensue, the last of which is from Bono (yes that Bono). Sound ridiculous? It's not. Tense and powerful it is. Might have easily been the winner in this category.
The Crush (Ireland)- This was my choice in the pool and had I seen it beforehand, I might have just stuck with it. It's that good. An Irish schoolboy has a crush on his teacher. A deep, serious crush. The kind of crush you can only have from the purity of a schoolboy's eyes. She is of course in an adult relationship and one that isn't, well, so sweet. Is the young boy a hero or a stalker/psychopath in training? It keeps you guessing, this little film. I like it.
God of Love (USA)- Here's our winner. I thought this was going to be about Mormon missionaries or Bible camp. Boy was I wrong. Our hero is a wild-haired crooner in a band with an affinity for torch songs and throwing darts. He's good at both. He loves the pretty young lady who is the drummer, but she only has eyes for his best friend. Enter a love package sent straight from Olympus and maybe, just maybe, a modern day Cupid is born. Sweet and whimsical and totally hip, the wild-haired lead should have been James Franco's replacement as Oscar host. A short film that is cool and funny and made in the USA? Of course it won. And actually it kind of deserves it.
Next up, the Animated shorts
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Oscar Picks
My Oscar Picks (What I think will win, not what I would vote for if I was voting)
Picture-The King's Speech
Actor-Colin Firth The King's Speech
Actress-Natalie Portman Black Swan
Sup Actor-Christian Bale The Fighter
Sup Actress- Melissa Leo The Fighter
Director-David Fincher The Social Network
Original Screenplay-The King's Speech
Adapted Screenplay-The Social Network
Foreign Film- Dogtooth Greece
Animated Feature- Toy Story 3
Cinematography-True Grit
Film Editing- The Kng's Speech
Art Direction- Inception
Sound Editing-Inception
Sound Mixing-Inception
Visual FX-Inception
Documentary Feature-Restrepo
Costumes- The King's Speech
Orig. Score- The Social Network
Song-We Belong Together Toy Story 3
Make-up Wolfman
Documentary Short-Killing In The Name
Live Action short-The Crush
Animated Short-Night and Day
Picture-The King's Speech
Actor-Colin Firth The King's Speech
Actress-Natalie Portman Black Swan
Sup Actor-Christian Bale The Fighter
Sup Actress- Melissa Leo The Fighter
Director-David Fincher The Social Network
Original Screenplay-The King's Speech
Adapted Screenplay-The Social Network
Foreign Film- Dogtooth Greece
Animated Feature- Toy Story 3
Cinematography-True Grit
Film Editing- The Kng's Speech
Art Direction- Inception
Sound Editing-Inception
Sound Mixing-Inception
Visual FX-Inception
Documentary Feature-Restrepo
Costumes- The King's Speech
Orig. Score- The Social Network
Song-We Belong Together Toy Story 3
Make-up Wolfman
Documentary Short-Killing In The Name
Live Action short-The Crush
Animated Short-Night and Day
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Barney's Version
Paul Giamatti plays a Jewish curmudgeon with a self-destructive streak, especially when it comes to the woman in his life in an adaptation of the Mordecai Richler (The Aprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz) novel,"Barney's Version". Giamatti won the Golden Globe for best Lead Performance by an Actor in a Comedy. I have no problem with that. He gives an excellent performance but if the Foreign Press Association thinks that this film is a comedy they're taking more powerful hallucinogens than I originally suspected. This movie is in no way, shape or form a comedy. In fact it's even less of a comedy than the eventual winner in the Golden Globes Best Comedy category "The Kids Are Alright" (also not a comedy). Really, the foreign press is either high or corrupt. I lean toward the second.
But that doesn't mean the movie isn't good. It is. This is a character study wrapped in a Jewish love story. It takes Giamatti through Barney's youthful idealism and two failed marriages, to his discovery of the love of his life. It shows Barney with all his raw flaws and weaknesses, some of which sabotage his happiness. The film takes him all the way to an early grave, which might just break your heart. But by that time the richness of a life lived fully, if not perfectly, has made the cinematic journey worth taking. And that's due in no small part to a smartly adapted script, a beautifully nuanced supporting turn by Rosamund Pike and Giamatti's layered performance. He deserves to have an award on his mantle for "Barney's Version". Just not one that says "Comedy" on it.
But that doesn't mean the movie isn't good. It is. This is a character study wrapped in a Jewish love story. It takes Giamatti through Barney's youthful idealism and two failed marriages, to his discovery of the love of his life. It shows Barney with all his raw flaws and weaknesses, some of which sabotage his happiness. The film takes him all the way to an early grave, which might just break your heart. But by that time the richness of a life lived fully, if not perfectly, has made the cinematic journey worth taking. And that's due in no small part to a smartly adapted script, a beautifully nuanced supporting turn by Rosamund Pike and Giamatti's layered performance. He deserves to have an award on his mantle for "Barney's Version". Just not one that says "Comedy" on it.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Oscar Nomination Day
Wow. Interesting year. The Oscar nominations are out and I had an average year (for me) calling 42 of the 48 nominees in the major categories, including getting all ten films for Best Picture correct, all of the Best Actress and Best Sup. Actors correct. "True Grit" made a surprisingly strong showing (10 nominations)but "The King's Speech" led the way with 12 nominations. Christopher Nolan Did NOT get a best director nomination. The Geek squad is already blogging furiously about that (I guess I'm included in that bunch). The Coen Brothers got the nod, even though they weren't nominated by the DGA. Javier Bardem got the call for Biutiful (see my blog entry). Ryan Gosling got ripped a little for "Blue Valentine" but Bardem is fantastic in that movie. Robert Duval was left off the list for "Get Low". Not sure what everyone sees in Jacki Weaver for the Australian film "Animal Kingdom" but maybe the nomination will bring the movie some attention. And finally, "Winter's Bone" gets 4 major nominations including Best Picture. I've been saying this since June but seek it out. The nominations are well deserved and you can get it on Netflix.
Here we go:
Best Picture
Inception
The Kids are Alright
The Social Network
True Grit
127 Hours
Winter's Bone
Toy Story 3
Black Swan
The King's Speech
The Fighter
Actor
Colin Firth The King's Speech
Jesse Eisenberg The Social Network
James Franco 127 Hours
Jeff Bridges True Grit
Javier Bardem Biutiful
Actress
Annette Bening The Kids Are Alright
Jennifer Lawrence Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman Black Swan
Nicole Kidman Rabbit Hole
Michelle Williams Blue Valentine
Supporting Actress
Melissa Leo The Fighter
Amy Adams The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter The King's Speech
Jacki Weaver Animal Kingdom
Haille Steinfeld True Grit
Supporting Actor
Christian Bale The Fighter
Mark Ruffalo The Kids Are Alright
Geoffrey Rush The King's Speech
Jeremy Renner The Town
John Hawkes Winter's Bone
Director
David O. Russel The Fighter
The Coens True Grit
Tom Hooper The King's Speech
Darren Aronofsky Black Swan
David Fincher The Social Network
Original Screenplay
The King's Speech
Inception
The Kids Are Alright
The Fighter
Another Year
Adapted Screenplay
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
True Grit
Winter's Bone
127 Hours
Animated Feature
How To Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3
Here we go:
Best Picture
Inception
The Kids are Alright
The Social Network
True Grit
127 Hours
Winter's Bone
Toy Story 3
Black Swan
The King's Speech
The Fighter
Actor
Colin Firth The King's Speech
Jesse Eisenberg The Social Network
James Franco 127 Hours
Jeff Bridges True Grit
Javier Bardem Biutiful
Actress
Annette Bening The Kids Are Alright
Jennifer Lawrence Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman Black Swan
Nicole Kidman Rabbit Hole
Michelle Williams Blue Valentine
Supporting Actress
Melissa Leo The Fighter
Amy Adams The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter The King's Speech
Jacki Weaver Animal Kingdom
Haille Steinfeld True Grit
Supporting Actor
Christian Bale The Fighter
Mark Ruffalo The Kids Are Alright
Geoffrey Rush The King's Speech
Jeremy Renner The Town
John Hawkes Winter's Bone
Director
David O. Russel The Fighter
The Coens True Grit
Tom Hooper The King's Speech
Darren Aronofsky Black Swan
David Fincher The Social Network
Original Screenplay
The King's Speech
Inception
The Kids Are Alright
The Fighter
Another Year
Adapted Screenplay
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
True Grit
Winter's Bone
127 Hours
Animated Feature
How To Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3
Friday, January 21, 2011
Oscar Predictions
Alright, here's what I think The Academy will nominate. This isn't what I would nominate but rather what I think they will nominate. Here goes:
BEST PICTURE
The Social Network
Inception
The King's Speech
True Grit
The Fighter
------------These are the five that I think would have been nominated under the old 5 picture system.
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Kids Are All Right
Toy Story 3
Winter's Bone
Alt: The Town
BEST ACTOR
Jesse Eisenberg The Social Network
Colin Firth The King's Speech
James Franco 127 Hours
Jeff Bridges True Grit
Ryan Gosling Blue Valentine
BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening The Kids Are All Right
Jennifer Lawrence Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman Black Swan
Nicole Kidman Rabbit Hole
Michele Williams Blue Valentine
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Geoffrey Rush The King's Speech
Jeremy Renner The Town
Christian Bale The Fighter
John Hawkes Winter's Bone
Mark Ruffalo The Kids Are All Right
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Melissa Leo The Fighter
Amy Adams The Fighter
Haille Steinfeld True Grit
Helena Bonham Carter The King's Speech
Mila Kunis Black Swan
DIRECTOR
Tom Hooper The King's Speech
Christopher Nolan Inception
Darren Aronfsky Black Swan
David Fincher The Social Network
David O. Russel The Fighter
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
True Grit
Winter's Bone
127 Hours
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The King's Speech
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
Black Swan
Blue Valentine
ANIMATED FEATURE
Toy Story 3
Tangled
How To Train Your Dragon
BEST PICTURE
The Social Network
Inception
The King's Speech
True Grit
The Fighter
------------These are the five that I think would have been nominated under the old 5 picture system.
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Kids Are All Right
Toy Story 3
Winter's Bone
Alt: The Town
BEST ACTOR
Jesse Eisenberg The Social Network
Colin Firth The King's Speech
James Franco 127 Hours
Jeff Bridges True Grit
Ryan Gosling Blue Valentine
BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening The Kids Are All Right
Jennifer Lawrence Winter's Bone
Natalie Portman Black Swan
Nicole Kidman Rabbit Hole
Michele Williams Blue Valentine
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Geoffrey Rush The King's Speech
Jeremy Renner The Town
Christian Bale The Fighter
John Hawkes Winter's Bone
Mark Ruffalo The Kids Are All Right
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Melissa Leo The Fighter
Amy Adams The Fighter
Haille Steinfeld True Grit
Helena Bonham Carter The King's Speech
Mila Kunis Black Swan
DIRECTOR
Tom Hooper The King's Speech
Christopher Nolan Inception
Darren Aronfsky Black Swan
David Fincher The Social Network
David O. Russel The Fighter
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Toy Story 3
The Social Network
True Grit
Winter's Bone
127 Hours
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The King's Speech
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
Black Swan
Blue Valentine
ANIMATED FEATURE
Toy Story 3
Tangled
How To Train Your Dragon
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