Still catching up - Before Midnight, Frozen and more

I'd like to blame spring fever for my sloth and delay in writing, but that would be false (it's still cold here) and lazy. I am now writing almost a week later and I'm not sure what I'll write or how it will turn out. I don't think I've had writer's block this bad. So, if this is not your favorite post, I'll totally understand.

March 2014, Before Midnight, nominated for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), 2013

Heaven help me, if they make another movie in this series I'll going to do something drastic, and if that movie gets nominated for an Oscar, I might have to re-evaluate everything. If you haven't seen the other two movies, congratulations, I don't know if you need to, but there are two earlier movies that set us up for this talkfest. It seems to me to have pretensions of being Bergmanesque and pseudo-intellectual. I don't mind intellectual movies, but you need to have the actors to carry off the heavy dialogue, and I'm sorry but Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy aren't those actors. I really don't have a lot more on this. But you have been warned.


3/22/2014, Frozen, Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, 2013

I had wanted to see Frozen but I just could not squeeze it in amongst all the other movies I needed to watch before the Oscars, so I just watched it last week. What a great movie. I really did enjoy it. It's based on the Hans Christian Andersen story "The Snow Queen" and is about Elsa, who has powers to freeze things and who is the next in line to inherit the throne of Arendelle, and her younger sister, Anna. Elsa has been forced to hide away to keep her ability secret so people don't think she's a witch. Elsa is voiced by Idina Menzel, who also sang the Oscar-winning song "Let it Go", which if you did not see her perform that live on the Oscar telecast, you missed something amazing. See if you can find it on YouTube.Kristen Bell is Anna. Elsa opens the kingdom to celebrate her coronation, which is cause for great celebration, until she and Anna have a fight and Elsa's powers come out in full force, and Elsa runs away. Anna and her new friend, Kristoff, go looking for Elsa. There's more adventure, singing, trolls and a talking snowman, and a person with malice in his heart, but I can't tell you who. It's a great movie with strong female characters, but it's not just a movie for girls, or so what if it is? For all the movies that have been geared towards boys over the years, is it really terrible to have one that might be aimed at girls? Last year's Brave also had a girl as its central character. I say "Girl Power".

3/22/2014 Rush, not nominated, 2013

Rush is about the rivalry between James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), two Formula One race car drivers from the early and mid 1970s, directed by Ron Howard. The two men are set up as being poles apart: Hunt is a womanizer, reckless, and not very disciplined, whereas Lauda is controlled, disciplined and analytical (some things I read said these differences were emphasized to make a better story). The movie builds to a climax when the two men are racing and Lauda crashes and suffers severe burns to his face and his lungs. We then see Lauda undergoing painful treatments to clear out his lungs and rehabilitate himself so he can get back to racing. He uses Hunt as an inspiration.

I thought it was interesting that the movie was not nominated for any Oscars, but Daniel Bruhel was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor; the Golden Globes are voted on by members of the Hollywood Foreign Press, and watching the movie I think I know why - this was a very European movie. It may have been directed by a quintessential American director, Ron Howard, but the subject matter was most definitely European, and there were more than a few subtitles. I know very little about car racing, but in America, I don't think Formula One racing is as popular as it is in Europe and perhaps Asia; pretty much most people know Chris Hemsworth as Thor, but the I don't think many people in America have heard of Daniel Bruhl. I liked the movie, you know, me and sports movies (I don't want to argue if racing is a sport, I'm not up to it), but I felt something was missing, even as I think the movie was too long. I admired Lauda's determination and focus, but I could not relate to him as a character. Hunt seemed like a very fun-loving guy, and my friend enjoyed watching Chris Hemsworth, so all in all, I guess it was a good night.

3/23/2014, I'm Still Here

I'm Still Here is a 2005 documentary that presents readings of the diaries of young Jews as the Holocaust was spreading across Europe. It was an MTV presentation and is only 48 minutes long. The young men and women share their feelings and observations of the events of the 1930s and 1940s, expressing fear, anger, sadness and hope. It's not as dramatic or shocking as some Holocaust documentaries or movies, so it may be easier to watch (easier is probably not the right word; maybe 'less shocking'). I would recommend watching it with your teenagers (or if you don't have kids, just watch it).

Continuing with my favorite method of distracting myself from watching movies, I've been watching a few series lately, including The Vikings, the Newsroom and the latest season of Downton Abbey. I liked The Vikings mainly because that is a period of history that has interested me for many years and I have been to the Viking Museum in Roskilde, Denmark (and not at all because I live in Minnesota and our football team is the Vikings). It's based on Vikings and their mythology and mixes the two. I'm looking forward to Season 2. The Newsroom was created by Aaron Sorkin (who also created The West Wing) and stars Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy, television anchor for a fictional news organization; Emily Mortimer as MacKenzie McHale, his new executive producer and former girlfriend and Sam Waterston as Charlie Skinner, president of the network. If you watched The West Wing you won't be surprised by the political slant and occasional pontificating, and you also won't be disappointed by the fast paced and witty dialogue and great acting. Sam Waterston is my favorite; I loved him in Law and Order (the ORIGINAL) and he's as good here, he seems to be enjoying his lines and the profanities flow out of his mouth as easy as you please.

It is my most sincere goal to find my discipline and motivation in the next week because I'm out of renewal options for the movies I have at home. And as luck would have it, spring may be arriving this week.

Peace out

Recovering from an Oscar night hangover

Well, Oscar night hit me harder than expected, or it might have been the binge viewing I did leading right up to Oscar night, but in any event, I'm easing myself back into writing with some movies and television shows I have watched, then I promise, I'll return to the list.

Normally I include the date I watched the movies, but it this case, I can only tell you it was in February.

Fruitvale Station, 2013, not nominated

This movie is based on the true story of the killing of Oscar Grant at Fruitvale Station, a stop on BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in San Francisco in 2009. Michael B. Jordan stars as Oscar, a young black man trying to get his life together after some run-ins with the law. Octavia Spencer (Oscar-winner from The Help) plays Oscar's mother. The story is told in flashbacks, showing us a glimpse into Oscar's troubled past, but also that he could be a pretty good guy. The run-in with the transit police depicts what the chaos of that New Year's Eve could have been like. The movie got a lot of hype during the festival season and there were many people disappointed and surprised that it didn't get any Oscar nominations. The movie certainly tugs at your heartstrings and plays on all kinds of emotions, and Jordan and Spencer are really good, but there were so many great films and nominees, that I don't think they were at that level (I mean Tom Hanks was overlooked for two fabulous roles). It's definitely a movie worth seeing, just expect to be a little angry when it's over.

42, 2013, not nominated

42 is about the great baseball player, Jackie Robinson and his move into major league baseball, which up until 1947 excluded African-Americans. It's probably inconceivable to most of us that sports (as so many other things) were segregated and that to desegregate them came at great cost. But, in 1947, baseball was segregated and it took a lot of courage, from the Brooklyn Dodgers' owner, Branch Rickey, to players like Pee Wee Reese, Hank Greenberg and others and the man himself, Jackie Robinson. Opposing players (and sometimes his own team) would heckle, jeer, taunt and try to intimidate Robinson while he couldn't do anything other than play better than anyone else. Chadwick Boseman played Robinson (he is no stranger to sports movies, having roles in The Express (football) and Draft Day (football), and he captured the restraint and strength that I can only imagine Robinson displayed; Harrison Ford was Branch Rickey, and once I stopped being distracted by the makeup, I could almost believe Ford as Rickey. Robinson's wife, Rachel (Nicole Beharie) was grace and strength and had to be as resolute as Jackie during the whole process. Mrs. Robinson is still alive today at 91. The movie is a great way to introduce kids (or history-haters) to a period of American history with a sports kicker. It's like a spoonful of sugar.

Red Tails, 2012, not nominated

Red Tails is about The Tuskegee Airmen, black pilots and crew who fought in a segregated unit during World War II. It stars Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ne-Yo, and Michael B. Jordan (among others) as the pilots. During the Second World War, black pilots were not seen as fit for combat and were limited in their duties until they were presented the opportunity to fly coverage for a bomber squadron; they did better than the squadron they replaced and were later asked for by the bomber pilots. Similar events happened to black soldiers during the Civil War (Glory). Again, it seems so out of what most of us know in our 21st century world, with leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice, oh and the current President of the United States, Barack Obama (the lunatic fringe doesn't count). I have to say I was much more interested in the snippets of historical content than the characters (I would have been interested in the characters, but I hate to say it, I don't think they had the a-team for this movie; the acting was pretty bad). In fact, I thought about turning the movie off, since it's not on my list, but I wanted to learn more about the airmen. Having said that, there may be a better movie out there (because this was long as well as poorly acted).

Monuments Men, 2014

Monuments Men is another movie ripped from the pages of World War II history. George Clooney is leading a group of art historians, architects, restorers to find and save the great art treasures of Europe before they are destroyed by the Nazis. The cast includes Bill Murray (who uses his impeccable delivery to great effect), John Goodman, Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett. Here's the thing - I think George Clooney can direct other people very well, but he cannot direct himself. Even though he had the 'most important' lines, they came out sounding unnatural, forced and like they were being read right from the page. I would love to see the special features on the DVD because I hope they include more information on the men and women who participated in these missions as well as more information on the art they saved. Thumbs up.

Television shows
Veep, season one
Julie Louis-Dreyfus was nominated for so many awards for her role as Vice President Selina Meyer, who finds all kinds of creative ways to put her foot in her mouth or upset the national temperament by just saying something stupid. I thought it was hilarious and pretty much laughed the whole time. I can't wait for season 2 (I can't remember who kept beating out Julia for the best actress in a comedy, but I think Julia might have been robbed, she is definitely a comedic genius).

House of Lies, season one
I love Don Cheadle, I think he's brilliant, but I hated House of Lies (not to be confused with House of Cards with Kevin Spacey). I thought I would like it, it kind of makes fun of consultants and having spent my fair share of time with consultants, I thought I would feel a connection. Yeah, no.

Phil Spector, 2013, nominated for Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards

If you've read this blog before, you may have figured out that I love movies about music, especially documentaries. Phil Spector is not a documentary, but based on recent events. Phil Spector is pretty universally recognized as one of the best and innovative music producers; there is also a common opinion that he's a little unstable. Al Pacino plays Phil Spector, and similar to his role as Jack Kevorkian, he becomes Spector; Helen Mirren is Spector's attorney, Linda Kenney Baden, who is defending Spector against a murder charge for shooting a woman in his driveway. I only watched this because I'm a huge Helen Mirren fan and I liked Pacino as Kevorkian; if I was interested in Phil Spector, I think I would have found a documentary or something more about the music. And that's what I want to tell you, this isn't about the music, so don't think it is. Mirren and Pacino weren't enough to make me care; the focus was on prepping Spector for his trial and it showed his extreme quirks, but I wasn't interested, and I don't think this was Mirren at her best either. The good news is it was less than 4 hours long.

Come back next week when I'll cross a few more Oscar films off my list.

2014 Oscar Night proving that Gravity is more than just theoretical

Prologue:
This is taking it right down to the wire, but it just adds to the excitement, right? As of this afternoon, I have seen 57 of the 72 nominees. I'm not sure I can put together a good review(s) in the next 51 minutes, so I'd rather not try. I will say that I watched the five nominated animated shorts today and my personal favorite is Mr. Hublot from France and Luxembourg; if that doesn't win, I hope that Room on the Broom does. I also saw the nominated documentary Cutie and the Boxer and while I found it interesting, I thought it would have been better as a documentary short film, and I don't think it will win. Star Trek: Into the Darkness was 20 minutes longer than it needed to be, in my opinion, and not my favorite movie ever. It was nominated in the visual effects category and if it wasn't for Gravity this year, it might win. It is visually impressive and has some great action; there is a reason it wasn't nominated for any acting awards.

Predictions:
This is more for fun since I have had a few people ask me. I won't do all the categories, but here are a few of my picks:

Best Picture: Twelve Years a Slave (I think the only thing that can beat it is Gravity)
Best Director: Steve McQueen (again, I think Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity is the only other movie that could pull it out)
Best Actor: I think it's between Matthew McConaughey and Leonardo DiCaprio, but I think Chiwetel Ejiofor should be getting talked about a lot more (I pick McConaughey)
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club
Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyongo'o - Twelve Years a Slave, she was amazing in this role

I am now ready for the festivities to start. Just a warning, I will whine if it goes too long because I need to go to work tomorrow morning.

The countdown: four minutes to go.

And...we're off. Already it's less tense than the fiasco last year. No silly song and dance number (yet).

Best Supporting Actor is the first category. Jared Leto wins for Dallas Buyers Club. It was a great performance and a really great movie.

Jim Carrey is presenting for something. I'm not sure what yet; he's doing a Bruce Dern impression. He is pretty funny when he isn't obnoxious. Okay, so he wasn't actually presenting, but just did a bit on animated heroes. AND THAT'S why the Oscars go so long.

Pharrell Williams is performing "Happy" from Despicable Me in that ridiculous hat. The song is infectious, though. He even got Meryl Streep shaking it. That might have been my favorite part of the movie.

The award for costume design is next, being presented by Samuel L. Jackson and Naomi Watts. I think The Great Gatsby will win. And I was right. Two for two. The movie was terribly long and not very good, but it really looked good. I think I blogged about it, but for the life of me, I don't know where it is. Visually, it is incredible, full of color. Nice short speech.

Makeup and hairstyling is next. No commercials. Bad Grandpa winning would justify me seeing it in the theater. Dallas Buyers Club wins again. I think it was the transformation of Jared Leto (primarily), but Matthew McConaughey also did not look like Matthew McConaughey at all.

Harrison Ford is presenting the first three nominees for Best Picture: American Hustle, Dallas Buyers Club and The Wolf of Wall Street (still haven't seen that one, but it's like 10 hours long).

Kim Novak and Matthew McConaughey are presenting for the Best Animated Short, which I just saw today. Mr. Hublot was my pick and it just won. They were all pretty good though and hopefully you can catch them in the theater. Now the Best Animated Feature film.....I think it's going to be one of the ones I have not seen yet. Frozen won; I'm surprised, but not surprised. I really thought The Wind Rises would win. Maybe Frozen will stay in the theaters a little longer so I can see it in the theater.

So now Sally Field is doing a tribute to the real, everyday heroes that have been portrayed in film. That's great, but there are still a lot of categories to go, so let's get to them please.

Visual Effects is the next category. I've seen everything except Gravity. Let's see who wins. I pick Gravity, just based on the buzz. Gravity wins. I think that was kind of a no-brainer.

Karen O is performing the song from Her, "The Moon Song", another one of the 'big' movies I haven't seen yet. Karen O performed a mind-blowing version of "The Immigrant Song" for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Ooh, the short films are next. I love them. Best Live Action Short Films are next. This is a tough call. I think Helium will win. And...Helium wins. Best Documentary Short Films are up. This is even harder than the Live Action category. I hope The Lady in Number 6 wins. And it just did. God bless Alice Herz Sommer. Please find some of her videos on youtube or see this movie. You will not regret it.

I have seen most of the documentary films, except for The Square; they are an interesting collection, that's for sure. My personal favorite is Twenty Feet from Stardom, which just won. Twenty Feet from Stardom is about the back up singers that make pop and rock music hum. Darlene Love is on stage, finally getting her moment in the spotlight and she breaks into song, and gets a standing ovation. She only recognized the female back up singers, but there are some male back up singers that are in the documentary as well in the special features.

Kevin Spacey is talking about the Governor's Award recipients, including Angela Lansbury (who has done so much more than Murder, She Wrote); Steve Martin; Piero Tosi who is a costume designer; the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian award to Angelina Jolie. The Governor's Awards were held a few months ago.

Best Foreign Film is up now and I have only seen one. Those are pretty tough. They're on my NetFlix list. The only one I saw is The Hunt, which was pretty good and a well-told story. The Great Beauty, from Italy, won. I saw a brief clip of that, but I have no idea what it's about. I think the director just thanked Diego Maradona who is a football/soccer player. Maybe I didn't hear that quite right.

Tyler Perry is introducing three more of the Best Picture nominees, Nebraska, Her, and Gravity. I don't think Nebraska will win any of the major awards, but it would be so cool if it did. There are still fourteen awards to go. Ellen just walked out in a bright white suit and introduced Brad Pitt. Brad is introducing U2 to sing "No Ordinary Love" from the film Long Walk to Freedom. I haven't seen the film or heard the song yet. I don't know if the original version is acoustic, but that's how they're doing it tonight. Larry Mullen is rocking it on the drums. I think this one will probably win, more because of the power of Mandela than it being the best song from a film (it's a good song, but I think "Happy" should win).

Ellen is walking through the audience and now trying to take a group photo including Meryl Streep, Julie Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and a bunch more. They are going to try to get it re-tweeted. Much funnier and less mean-spirited show than last year.

Sound awards are next, with Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Charlize Theron presenting, a little hitch in the cue cards (or the technical equivalent). Sound Mixing is first, then Sound Editing. Gravity wins for Sound Mixing. Sound Editing is the only nomination for All is Lost. Gravity wins again.

Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained and Inglorious Basterds), he practically ran out on stage, is presenting for Best Supporting Actress. My pick has been Lupita Nyongo'o since I saw 12 Years a Slave. Julia Roberts was really good in August: Osage County and Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine. Lupita Nyongo'o just won. Amazing, and she gets a hug from Liza Minnelli and gets a standing ovation. I think everyone was pulling for her, she's been so fun to watch on all the awards this year. It looked like Benedict Cumberbatch has tears in his eyes (he was also in the film). The theme from "Willy Wonka" is playing as she leaves the stage.

Ellen actually ordered pizza and is delivering it through the audience. There isn't going to be enough for everyone.

Amy Adams (love her) and Bill Murray (mostly love him) are presenting the Best Cinematography award; my pick is The Grandmaster but it will probably be Gravity again. And Billy Murray sneaks in a tribute to Harold Ramis who passed away this week. Guess who? Gravity. Damn, I kind of wish I had squeezed that in with all my frantic movie viewing the past months.

Film editing is the next category (my snarky favorite category because some movies are still too damn long). I picked Captain Phillips because I do feel that the editing really kept the guessing, especially at the end. Oh hell, it's Gravity again. Why bother? Alfonso Cuaron got cut off, but I'm sure he'll get another chance at some point tonight.

Oh, there is a tribute to The Wizard of Oz tonight by Whoopi Goldberg; it's the 75th anniversary of one of my childhood touchstones. There's a story to tell, but I'll save it for my memoir. Judy Garland's 'kids' are in the audience: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft. Pink is singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I love this movie. Might be time to see it again. Nice job. Judy would have been proud.

Nine awards to go (not to be a killjoy or anything) and it's 9:40 central time; tomorrow morning is going to come too soon.

Ellen just comes out as Glinda the Good Witch. Awesome.

I'm going to go on a limb and say that Gravity will win for Production Design. Just a guess. The other possibility is The Great Gatsby. Sonofabitch. It was The Great Gatsby.

Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs - terrific movie and performance) is introducing the In Memoriam segment. Bette Midler singing "The Wind Beneath My Wings" after the montage. In a strange way, I like this part the best because it reminds me of contributions of people that sometimes have been forgotten or overlooked by newer audiences.

And Goldie Hawn is now introducing the last group of Best Picture nominees, Philomena, Captain Phillips, and 12 Years a Slave. These are some good movies, and good books, too.

John Travolta introducing Idina Menzel ("Wicked"), but I didn't understand what he said at all. She is singing the song from Frozen, "Let it Go". Man, she's got a set of pipes. I heard her sing in "Chess", but wow, she's incredible. With someone like her who can actually sing, how come there are so many crap performances out there with people who can't sing worth beans? Just a random question.

The Original Score is being presented by Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel, I'm not sure what is happening. If Jamie is ad-libbing or what. I picked Gravity just because that seems to be the trend. And Gravity wins. Saving Mr. Banks was nominated, and I feel that film kind of got the shaft, but I think that may be because Mary Poppins is one of my favorite movies. I haven't seen The Book Thief which was also nominated. It's on the list though.

Now we finally come to the Original Song; who will win since Gravity isn't nominated? dun-dun-dun: "Let It Go" from Frozen, I did not see that coming, and yet after Idina's performance, totally deserved.

I am getting a cramp in my fingers. My left hand is starting to turn into a claw. Six more awards. This is not going to be over before 11:00. Ellen, I love you, but please wrap this up. I really should have taken tomorrow off.

The writing awards presented by Robert DeNiro and Penelope Cruz; first is the Best Adapted Screenplay, and my pick is 12 Years a Slave but Philomena could win too, and I'd be happy. 12 Years a Slave won. I am trying to find the book and I believe it's available online but I would like to actually read the hard copy. As I mentioned, Philomena is a book and it actually tells a different side of the story than the movie does, so it's well worth reading. For the original screenplay I picked Dallas Buyers Club, and since Gravity isn't nominated, it's possible. Nope, Her by Spike Jonze won. Before Midnight was also nominated and I had every intention of watching that this weekend, but it didn't happen. I felt bad, and then I remembered, I hated the two earlier movies in this trilogy and got over my angst pretty fast. I hope this is the last one, although as my friend and I were joking, they could do 'Before Daylight Savings Time' and variations on that theme.

Angelina Jolie and Sidney Poitier get a standing ovation as they present Best Director. He is wonderful, if you have not seen him in To Sir, With Love, The Heat of the Night, Guess Who is Coming to Dinner and so many others, you really should try. Best Director I have as Steve McQueen, but Alfonso Cuaron wins for....Gravity. He had a great acceptance speech, I think from either the Golden Globes or SAG awards.

(sigh) Daniel Day-Lewis is presenting Best Actress, and he's doing it as himself, not as Abraham Lincoln, although that would be kind of cool. I think Cate Blanchett is going to win for Blue Jasmine based on the previous awards; Meryl Streep was powerful as Violet in August: Osage County, but I don't think this will be her fourth Oscar, and I think Judi Dench is in a category with some great actresses in great roles this year. Sandra Bullock is nominated for Gravity, but strangely there hasn't been a lot of chatter around that. Cate Blanchett wins. I did like Blue Jasmine and she captured the essence of a narcissistic clueless woman of 21st century financial greed. Great speech from Cate on the power of women in cinema, but it's late and I want to go to bed.

Three hours and counting. Jennifer Lawrence will present the Best Actor award. Christian Bale should win for the risks he took with his hair, but I don't think that's going to happen. It's Leo or Matthew, I think. Chiwetel Ejiofor is great in 12 Years a Slave and if you can, try and see Kinky Boots. And Matthew McConaughey wins. He reminds me of someone every time I see him, but for the life of me I cannot put my finger on it. Very cool speech.

Ok, so we are now waiting for the Best Picture. Gravity? 12 Years a Slave? or a dark horse? I guess Will Smith, from that blockbuster, Razzy Winner, After Earth is presenting the award. The timing is ironic, I think. YES!! 12 Years a Slave wins for Best Picture! Super awesome! Wonderful. Steve McQueen didn't win Best Director. I think we'll see more from him.

That's it. We made it. Three and a half hours later, 72 films. See you next year.