Oscar Ballot 2010. Best Screen Play - Best Picture. Revisited.

OK, really, I didn't mean to convey the idea that I'm not actually opinionated and that I do believe there are some very good movies out there this year and that I do believe The Hurt Locker is taking home 2010's film industry's golden dildo. Having that said, let's get into a bit of the nominated movies... in no particular order:

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. Quentin Tarantino has a knack for telling a story in an intriguing way, both funny and suspenseful, breaking any previous idea you had on timing and delivery... In this sense, I think Tarantino is an excellent screenwriter and also showed quite some talent directing Christoph Waltz... Inglourious Bastards won't go home completely unglorified I think Best Supporting Actor should honor it. Strong contender for Original Screenplay too, but not strong enough to my taste.

AN EDUCATION. Although Peter Sarsgaard's Jewishness was hardly relevant to the story, this story seems somewhat autobiographical, so I think it shows a cultural difference belonging to the time and place where the story is being told. Also, we have to take into account that something that could seem enraging under today's puritanical standards would easily be more commonplace forty years ago. However, trying to get me to pass judgment on circumstances beyond my context, as if they were current, is not a fair trick. The way this movie takes us to that place is good, Carey Mullingan's interpretation is lively, the story works but no Oscar for this one in my ballot.

DISTRICT 9. This is quite a metaphor of settlements amongst different peoples... or species. The story itself works better than Avatar... it could be some sort of sequel to Avatar! It has a mockumentary touch to it in a very original manner, I don't think the alien theme has been explored in this manner before, but it shows us the discerning feelings of different cultures that have to withstand each other's closeness. A bit too "alien" for my taste but interesting nonetheless.

UP. I'm not much into animated films, but this one takes much attention into detail... plus the opening sequence makes for a really good movie, afterwards though, it drags on for too long, I guess even some of the adults might have fallen asleep. Still, the story line is compelling so this could be a contender for original screenplay, and I think, being nominated for best picture, makes it quite obvious it is the best Animated Feature Film, although I'm really looking forward to watching Fantastic Mr. Fox. Also, I think Up, could take some music related award!

THE BLIND SIDE. This is my theory, I think after counting votes, Oscar producers realized popular pictures like Avata, District 9 and The Blind Side, clearly fell out of the top five, and so they decided to nominate ten movies instead of five. I think this was a wise move, though I admit nine of the nominees will go home losers, I think they're all good movies and are very well worth your time. The Blind Side had perfect timing telling the story of a current NFL player that actually made it to the playoffs this season, plus, it's a feel-good movie without it being overly corny. Sandra Bullock is a delight to watch and she could contend for best actress, but that's about it for this movie tonight.

PRECIOUS. This is the type of movie I had to sort of drag myself to watch, and only because of its good reviews and the nominations it has, I figured it might be worth my while. I was right. Although the theme and tone of this movie are real downers, it leaves you with a sweet-n-sour taste. It also opens your eyes to situations that it's hard to admit, still occur in our modern day occidental world. Definitely interesting and powerful. Mo'Nique will for sure take the Best Supporting Actress award and I won't discard Precious on any other category, period.

A SERIOUS MAN. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with this one, but maybe I've just placed too high expectations on the Coen brothers. The movie starts out strong and intriguing but then I guess it dwells on and on too long on situations very pertaining to the mid-century American Jew, recently empowered by the Second World War and facing a new identity crisis. As usual, the Coens have very funny sequences which are worth watching, but overall I felt it lacked consistency, or timing, who knows... No awards for this one on my ballot, sorry.

UP IN THE AIR. I have to admit this is one of my favorites, hands down. I think it is very emotional, it touches a nerve on the current standing of American life and it IS very real (most of the interviewees are real unemployed people). The casting is excellent, as I can't seem to figure who could play a bit arrogant bachelor with a soft side better than George Clooney, and both his co-actresses play nominated roles as well. What I think this story has going on for it in terms of well delivered screenwriting and acting, it lacks for in cinematography, color, etc... The story mainly takes place in conference rooms, airports, etc, which really doesn't do much for the visual aspect of it all, as opposed to say, Avatar. Definitely, I'm voting for Up in the Air in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. George Clooney and Anna Kendrick could be contenders in their categories. Kudos to Jason Reitman, with Juno and Up in the Air, he's definitely becoming a powerhouse in the industry.

AVATAR. This is a popular favorite which I've reviewed earlier on this blog. www.RentalMovieWeek.blogspot.com (for those reading the note directly from facebook). I won't discard this one either but as the visual aspect of it works beautifully, the story doesn't quite cut it for me. Look out for several Oscars in Music, Cinematography, Art Direction, Visual Effects, etc. I don't think it has a great story or acting which are usually requirements to bring on a fulfilling emotion. But James Cameron pulled this off before with Titanic, which incidentally wasn't nominated for Acting (Not DiCaprio at least) or for Screenwriting (Which I felt it should have been nominated for). So..... will see, though not in my ballot!

THE HURT LOCKER. I have also reviewed this one briefly and I stand by my decision to back this one throughout the night. Excellent story, not overly complicated, delivers emotion and thrill throughout without diverging. Excellent Cinematography too... impacting. In terms of Film Editing and the like I don't consider myself very knowledgeable (not that I am knowledgeable in the rest of the categories), but I just know this one works. My ballot has The Hurt Locker for Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture... This will be the ultimate showdown as to what an ex-wife can take from under one's nose... move over James Cameron!

For further references, reviews, and synopsis on these and other films, I recommend www.IMDB.com, www.RottenTomatoes.com and www.filmcritic.com., and of course...www.RentalMovieWeek.blogspot.com

Have an excellent Oscar night!

Oscar Ballot 2010. Best Screen Play - Best Picture.

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Oscar Ballot 2010. Best Female Acting.

BEST ACTRESS

This is a tale of two continents.. (two countries, more so). On the one hand we have those rooting for Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock, the first of whom is the longest standing Academy favorite of ANY category whatsoever, with roughly the same nominations as Tiger Woods has won majors or Roger Federer has won grand slams. This feat, for movie making, is exceptional and should not be dismissed. As for Sandra Bullock, she's one of "America's Sweethearts" and her love-hate relationship with her viewership is all over the board, delivering a Razzie Award winning performance in All About Steve and her very strong role in The Blind Side, which we have to credit for having the movie nominated for Best Picture.

On the other hand we have Carey Mulligan portraying a young woman's assertive wanna-be break from childhood in what could simply be deemed as mere innocence in An Education; and Academy Award winner Helen Mirren as Tolstoy's wife in The Last Station delivering a huge range of emotions of a loving woman embittered by circumstances created by the state planning of her husband.

As I said, Meryl Streep's performances are never to be dismissed, though sometimes it makes me wonder if there are no other actresses... I admit I didn't pay much attention to Julie and Julia, as I was watching it out of the corner of my eye while, incidentally, cooking. The few scenes I could appreciate, though, seemed a tad bit over the top... but that's just me.

Sandra Bullock, truly delivers... this is her role of a lifetime, and it is refreshing to see a role of such character that makes a difference both on and off the screen. I mean, the strength of this woman to break from the traditional is something to reflect upon. If you haven't watched The Blind Side, I recommend it.

Now here's where my scale is tipped... For some reason, I found this year's British female acting slightly more amusing than that of their American counterparts. Carey Mulligan's role could've been stronger had it bounced off a stronger role than that of her supporting male actor, Peter Sarsgaard. Carey Mulligan's part speaks loudly of a young adult's need to break from her childhood. I like the fact that both her and her movie are recognized.

Helen Mirren, has accurately played "The Queen", before, and although I couldn't speak for how accurate her role as Countess Sophia is, I can only say it is very emotive and it carries a wide range of emotion of a character whose experience and toughness could make her the exact opposite of Carey Mulligan's.

As for Gabourey Sidibe in Precious, I think her character is not as much shaped by what she says and does as it is from the circumstances that surround her... plus, whatever light might shine through her role is strongly opaqued by the presence of Mo'nique as her supporting actress.

Though I've heard Sandra Bullock is leading her category as a favorite, which I wouldn't doubt, considering she also has more leverage to pull her weight through the Academy, I'm voting for Helen Mirren, a seasoned actress on the same level as Mrs. Streep. Honorable Mention of course to Carey Mulligan.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick, had the luck to land roles in Up in the Air, which is truly an outstanding screenplay. For this reason, their roles are very relevant, though I'm not sure they carry enough range and depth to garner an Oscar. If anything, I think Anna Kendrick's role as both an up and coming career girl and an obnoxious little brat really pushes a button.

Maggie Gyllenhaal's role seems a bit weak to me, but it bounces off the overwhelming presence of Jeff Bridges's role in Crazy Heart. I didn't get to watch Penelope Cruz in Nine but I think last year's award for her role in Vicky, Christina, Barcelona should suffice for now... and her role in Almodovar's Broken Embraces should also get some recognition.

Mo'Nique, or however her name is written, plays the Tour de Force role of this year, both surpassing any other role, leading or supporting, male or female. I think her interpretation, along with the poignant story told by Sapphire, put Precious up on the board amongst this year's top films. I won't even bother you with an honorable mention, this category is the clearest no-brainer of them all.

Oscar Ballot 2010. Best Male Acting.

So here they are, my long awaited predictions for this year's Oscar's, thanks to my readership for their unrelenting patience.

BEST ACTOR

I tend to compare roles and situations, so Colin Firth, in A Single Man, portraying this year's gay conflict, is the equivalent of last year's Sean Penn's Harvey Milk... though not quite. To get an Oscar you have to a) Play the role of a lifetime or b) Play a role that makes a movie truly relevant, so in this case, I think Colin Firth comes close, but this year's gay conflict really doesn't get us rooting for the gay cause as much as last year's... bad break! (not back-break... Brokeback).

On the other hand, we have Jeff Bridges as.... Bad Blake, (go figure), whose role I'd say is similar to last year's Mickey Rourke's Wrestler. Bridges's performance is truly heartbreaking as it makes us wonder about the ways we often go wrong and how painful it'd be not to take charge in time and fix them. This is a truly touching role, emotionally, of course. (Last year, Sean Penn seemed to be, as well, truly touching... both emotionally and physically).

Then we have of course two roles that I won't dismiss for both the emotion they convey and the relevance they play, in what, to me, are the best movies of the season. Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker, and George Clooney in Up in the Air. I think you always have to have this level of good acting to move the story forward with the emotion it's meant to carry, both roles are truly outstanding as one of Clooney's top 2 and quite frankly, I had never even heard of Renner before this movie... So I take my hat off for both of them too.

As for Sir Morgan Freeman (at least I know he'd be called that if he was British), I can't give you my opinion as I haven't watched Invictus.

My convinced vote goes to Jeff Bridges. Honorary mention: George Clooney, his role seems to genuine to me and I think it was an excellent casting for Up in the Air. I wouldn't mind it a bit, though, if Jeremy Renner won halfway through The Hurt Locker's race against Avatar for the very coveted best picture statuette.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Not only did I not watch most of the movies nominated in this category, but the two I watched, didn't strike me as truly outstanding. I guess the American public is fascinated by a character that will make you hate him in several different languages, because hate is not an easy thing to achieve so, come Oscar night, Cristoph Waltz as the Nazi polyglot from Inglourious Basterds very well might take it up one notch and make the rest of the nominees hate him too.

I can say this, the only other role I watched in this category was Christopher Plummer as Leo Tolstoy. I must admit, I did like his role, but as I said before nothing was truly outstanding.... In this category, I abstain from voting... of course, though, my money is on Christo.....

Silent Light

After I read the synopsis on this movie, I didn't know it included, literally, everything shown in the movie. I mean, I can tell you in one paragraph everything that happens in this movie, and you know I'm all for movies that show more depth and less action but this one goes to the far end. I could place Carlos Reygadas as the exact opposite of James Cameron, he tells a good story, I liked the story, but in such a slow way, that it makes it a bit painful to watch. ( you can always play it in fast forward, as not much is being said either.) (Cameron for example, takes an average story, but makes it colorful and dynamic... fun to watch)

Considering the fast rythm of hollywood movies we're used to, I wouldn't recommend this movie. I figure, if i've "trained" my movie watching by opening up my spectrum to lots of foreign and independent movies, I think I'm used to "slower" films...but this one just takes the "Old Honey" price for being the slowest thing out there.

So, having tackled the slowness of it all, I think the story is good, the main character is colorful, and the conflict is real. Johan is a menonita, sort of like a modern life Amish of German ascent settled in the high plains of Northern Mexico. He has fallen in love with another woman and has been open about it to his wife, whom is feeling deep pain. (hell yeah, I could even nominate her for a best supporting actress role). These people lead a very simple life style and their deep religous beliefs and traditions make a real problem of this diversion from the straight expected path.

Overall, I think this is a good picture of a lifestyle we're not familiar with or we just tend to ignore, so for that, kudos to Carlos Reygadas. His recognition has come from personalities like Roger Ebert, Martin Scorcese, Manohla Dargis and a Jury price from Cannes... and so I don't feel compelled to give him any more recognition than that. My readership should be warned, that although I found the thematic of this film very interesting, I found the film itself very boring as I thought this story could've been told in half the time... but that's just me.

Watch it (this is like 2 out of 5 stars) but be warned, or altogether Avoid it if you only have so much time to watch some other good movies. But, if you don't expect as much as I was expecting from it, you might, not enjoy it, but probably find it interesting (Arghh, such a fine line to draw). Later dudes... Taco time!