Hello friends!
So, as we have mentioned previously, we take the Oscar's very seriously, and leading up to the awards show Grace and I have attempted to see as many of the Best Picture nominations as we can. AND THE AWARDS IS ON MONDAY!!! How thrilling.
As a reminder, these are the films nominated for Best Picture:
- Whiplash
- Birdman
- American Sniper
- Grand Budapest Hotel
- Selma
- The Imitation Game
- Boyhood
- The Theory of Everything
Grace and I have been able to see 5 out of the 8 nominated
films. This is due to a. time (Boyhood goes for 3 hours?) b. money (darn you
cinema prices!) and c. the American Sniper trailer makes us uncomfortable, so
we’ll probably watch it at some point in the future, but we feel like we might
find it confronting at the moment.
I don’t like to think of myself as a film critic, and often times
I say that I do not wish to be a film critic, but who am I kidding? Everyone’s
a critic. And besides, it’s hard not to be one when you love films as much as I
do, and cannot help but spout off all your thoughts, likes and dislikes in a
stream of consciousness as soon as you walk out of the cinema, all the way
home. With that in mind, what will follow are my attempt at collating these
thoughts into a formal review. Also, I only took notes on my phone directly
after The Imitation Game so the rest
are just off my memory (forgive the vagueness).
Sound good? I hope you're all as excited as me.
“Are you paying attention?”
The opening dialogue surrounds you in the darkened cinema
and it feels like the speaker (the unmistakable Benedict Cumberbatch) is
addressing you, the viewer, directly. Are you paying attention? Because you
should be, the movie has started. The story has begun and in a few short hours,
you will learn. This is The Imitation
Game, and this is Alan Turing’s story.
The Imitation Game is
a movie that needed to be made. The story of Alan Turing and his machine that
cracked the seemingly unbreakable Nazi code Enigma in World War II is a story
that many know in passing, and even then, this may be limited to history buffs,
philosophy students (The Turing Test, anyone?), and perhaps even the older
generations, who were around when the top secret information was released to
the public, long after Turing’s death. By telling the story in film with
stunning and well-known actors such as Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing and
Keira Knightley (Both with spectacular performances. Knightley as Joan Clarke
positively shines with strength, surrounded by a predominately male cast. You
go Keira, we love you Keira), this true story has been re-vitalised.
This movie has something for everyone: It’s a WWII tale, a
history lesson; it has suspense, a code to crack, a smart and independent woman,
(love?), quick wit that will get anyone to laugh, and exposes the injustice
that homosexuals once suffered (not that life is 100% perfect for them, even
now). The movie is also filled with brilliant slices of film-work that will
make any film fan freak out (The opening dialogue ALONE, which is actually a
nugget for a later conversation. MOVIES!!!). The opening line “are you paying
attention?” is a hint, for the film is told in non-linear form. Weaving in and
out from “present day” where Turing is being questioned by police about his
homosexuality, his childhood as a strange boy, struggling with his sexuality
and brilliant mind and the core of the film, being recruited by the British
Government for a top-secret mission to crack Enigma.
True-Story films and Human Struggle/Triumph films are a
favourite of mine, and of The Academy’s (12
Years a Slave, Argo, The Kings Speech, just recently), so it's no surprise that it got the nomination. It is a brilliant movie, however, there is some part of me that just thinks
some of the emotion in key scenes, such as when they crack the code, fell
short. I cannot deny that there is some part in my mind that thinks the
film lacked in the extra mile.
Where do you begin with Whiplash? It’s the movie that makes
musicians either wish they practiced more or make them want to run screaming.
I’m not sure which, yet.
Whiplash is a film about first year drumming student at a
prestigious music conservatory, Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), and his desire to
a. make it big and b. earn the respect of music conductor Terrence Fletcher in
The Best (capitals are needed here) jazz band at the school. Fletcher (played
by the intense JK Simmons) embodies the Take No Mercy mixed with Treat ‘Em
Mean, Keep ‘Em Keen approach to conducting: that is, throwing chairs at
drummer’s heads, threats and intimidation. So, you can understand why the film
might make any musician run scared. Simmons’ control over his face, body and
voice is phenomenal. How could one remain that angry yet controlled for such a
long time?
This is an intense film.
That being said, while this film can be enjoyed by a variety
of audiences, it’s definitely a film for musicians. Most of the action takes
place in band rehearsal, and rarely is there a scene without a music book or
music stand (Ah, memories!) Literal blood, sweat and tears goes into Teller’s
performance. And yes, he is doing his
own drumming! (With the help of editing, of course. If anyone attempts those
solos all in one, they might literally ruin themselves.)
The point to this review? Basically, it’s a very intense
film. The jazz band and drum-focused score complements well with Birdman, if
you were to do a double feature (like we did). I really enjoyed it, and it did
make me think “Why did I never play my cello until my fingers or knee’s bled?”
which is dangerous thinking. While I understand passion, please look after
yourselves musicians! But I guess that’s just the power that movies have over
you.
Oh wow, I saw this movie the day it came out, last year. So,
it has been a while. But basically, all you need to know is this: Grad Budapest
Hotel is so obviously Wes Anderson it’s almost mock-able. BUT I LOVED IT. The
performances by all in yet another outstanding ensemble cast were superb. The story
of concierge Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes) and his Lobby boy, Zero (newcomer Tony
Revolori), as they are on the run in light of the death of Budapest Hotel
resident Madame D (Tilda Swinton) and a missing, valuable painting. It’s fun!
It’s colourful! It’s entertaining! And of course, there are plenty of “from
above” AND “centered shots”! (I highly recommend this mastercut)
With 9 nominations (matched only with Birdman) this is a
high contender! Budapest and Birdman will be battling it out for most of the
night, and let me assure you, I will be keeping score. See how many each win in
my Oscars Recap next week!
Disclaimer: Graceful nor Claire own any of the images used in this post.
--
So there are three of "reviews", of sorts.
Keep an eye out on Sunday for the other reviews and find out my favourites to win.
THE ACADEMY AWARDS is on Monday the 23rd (Sunday
the 22nd in the US, but time difference) and will be aired on Chanel
9 at 12:30pm and will be repeated on GEM at 8:30pm.
Until next time!
Claire x.
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