The Oscars pt. 2

Hello friends!

Part two of my Oscar’s post is here. So, without further ado, here are my last two ”reviews”

BIRDMAN

Birdman is the story of a former screen-superhero actor, attempting to fight his inner battles and gain relevance again by Directing and starring in a book-to-play adaption on Broadway.

And let me tell you, it is amazing.

As the opening night of the play What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, a single camera follows each character around the narrow corridors, dressing rooms, stage, and the city surrounds of Broadway’s St. James Theatre. This is orchestrated in such a way that the entire movie looks like one continuous ‘long shot’. Can we just appreciate that for a moment, please? Because there is nothing I love more than cinematography. Just, heart eyes everywhere!  Love, love, LOVE. The jazzy drums score sounds like one that would accompany a magic show, as if the whole film is a magic trick (which it so is. Movie magic, people!)

While I could go on scene by scene about the editing of the film, this is definitely also an Actors Film. The characters are so eclectic but then again, fit together so well, including Michael Keaton as ageing actor Riggan Thomas, Emma Stone as his recently rehabilitated daughter, Naomi Watts as a first time Broadway actress, Edward Norton as arrogant method actor Mike Shiner and Zach Galafanakis as Riggan’s best friend, lawyer and Producer of the show, his serious and professional character one I haven’t seen with Galifiankis before and my oh my is it welcomed.

In short, the film is amazing and everyone should see it (and don’t worry, you’re supposed to be leaving the cinema thinking “What in the world did I just watch?” just go with it.)

100% deserves the Best Picture nom (every nomination, actually), BUT, I don’t see it winning Best Picture. Why? Because it doesn’t seem like a film The Academy would choose (because The Academy have a Type. Just look at the winners of the past 5 years. But man, it would be amazing if it did.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

Everyone knows Stephen Hawking as a great scientific mind, one of the smartest people in the world, and also know that he has a motor neuron disease. However, who was Stephen Hawking before he became the man he is today, and how was his journey there? Little know about his first wife, Jane, and the fact that Stephen was told he only had 2 years to live.

This film is beautiful, and it left me with a whole lot of emotion. The score from Johann Johannsson is absolutely gorgeous. But above all, it is important to note the acting ability of Felicity Jones (Jane Wilde Hawking) and Eddie Redmayne (Stephen Hawking). Firstly, Felicity Jones is superb as Jane. I’m not sure how to describe it, but you’re just either a. going to have to take my word for it or b. go see the movie, because she was nominated for a Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA AND Oscar for Best Actress, so obviously, amazing. (It has been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen this and I didn’t take notes afterwards, so I’m sorry).

And of course, there is the delightful and charming Eddie Redmayne with the challenging role of Hawking himself. Leading up to seeing the movie, I had read many interviews with Redmayne about the role and what he did to prepare. And let me tell you, this man read every book, memories ever little fact about Hawking, and employed various movement coaches and other professionals to fully replicate the deterioration of his mobility. The effort and skill is evident in the movie and it is astounding! Particularly at the end of the film, where Hawking is at the stage we are all familiar with in his chair and automatic voice (which is Stephen Hawking’s ACTUAL, patented voice. The voice is copyrighted to Stephen Hawking, but after watching the film himself, Hawking granted the use of it to them. Amazing stuff, right?), Redmayne is able to convey such emotion in a face that can hardly move except for his eyes and cheek. HOW DOES HE DO IT? Or am I just biased? Apparently I’m not, since he has already won the Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA for the performance. It will definitely not be surprising if he wins the Oscar, too.

(Disclaimer: We do not own the images used in this post)

BUT CLAIRE, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?

Good question! And let me level with you, I’m hardly an expert in these things, nor am I The Academy (I’m not an old white male, OH SNAP! Ok but seriously, the injustice of The Academy voting alone is a serious issue that needs to be called to attention), so this is just what I think from observation of past winners and my own opinion.

My favourites, and the ones I really want to win Best Picture are Birdman and The Theory of Everything (see above), just because both were spectacular. 

BUT, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind if any of the films I saw won. They are all amazing, hence the nomination in the first place. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boyhood or American Sniper won. Why? Boyhood has been talked about by so many and it’s impressive 12 year long process is definitely admirable. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama. And American Sniper just seems like, from the sound and looks of it (again, I haven’t seen it) such an Oscar movie. It is America, after all. That being said, there is the whole "fake baby" thing...

While I have enjoyed these movies nominated for Best Picture, and think they definitely deserve the nomination, if not win, I am a little disappointed by the lack of female representation. In all the films, a male is the lead character. In fact, if there wasn't the actual Best Female awards, the entire awards would be uncomfortably and unjustly a sausage fest. Although a female did direct Selma, (you go, Ava DuVernay, you do your thing)!

The Academy can nominate up to 10 films for Best Picture (and they have in the past). this year there were only 8, so female-led films such as Wild, Still Alice, or even Gone Girl could have easily filled those spots. The leads in these films are all nominated for acting awards (Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore and Rosamund Pike), so good luck to you, ladies! You all deserve it <3

But this is all neither here nor there ;)

THE ACADEMY AWARDS is on tomorrow, Monday the 23^rd and will be aired free-to-air on Chanel 9 at 12:30pm and will be repeated on GEM at 8:30pm.

Stay gold!

Claire x

Oscar Watch 2k15 | Claire's Thoughts and Picks

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.

THE IMITATION GAME

“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.

WHIPLASH

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.

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

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.

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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 23^rd (Sunday the 22^nd 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.