The Oscars are coming!! It’s time to pick who will win the
awards. Of course the “Outpick Fred” contest will commence on Sunday February
17th and the rules of that contest along with my full list of my
picks will be presented on that day. For now I’m going to go through my picks
in detail in two parts The Small Awards and The Big Awards. The only picks I’m
not going to make are short film picks because I would look like a fool trying
to pick those. For now here are the picks for the 6 major awards. (Legend: Pick: my pick for what will win, Should win: what I think is the best in
each category)
Actress in a Supporting Role:
Pick: Anne Hathaway “Les Miserables”
This one is one if the easiest picks. While Anne Hathaway
may not be the best performance in the category it’s the one that’s been
winning and will continue to win come Oscar night.
Should Win: Helen Hunt “The Sessions”
Actor in a Supporting Role:
Pick: Tommy Lee Jones “Lincoln”
Supporting actor is a really good category this year. It’s a
battle of old veterans and character actors and it’s really tight. I’m going
with the “Academy pick” in the grumpy old Tommy Lee Jones but if Robert De Niro
or Chrisoph Waltz I wouldn’t be surprised or sad.
Should Win: Christoph Waltz “Django Unchained”
Actress in a Leading Role:
Pick: Jenifer Lawrence “Silver Linings Playbook”
This one is another difficult one. As we speak I’m debating
whether to pick Jessica Chastain, who was the favorite until about two weeks
ago, and Jenifer Lawrence who is leading the current hypeathon. Ultimately my
pick will go to Lawrence as Zero Dark Thirty has gone dark in the hype department
and Silver Linings playbook continues to climb the hype train. It’s sad because
Jessica Chastain’s performance is the best one.
Should Win: Jessica Chastain “Zero Dark Thirty”
Actor in a Leading Role:
Pick: Daniel Day-Lewis “Lincoln”
Another easy pick. Daniel Day-Lewis should and easily will
win the best actor award. On a side note though poor Joaquin Phoenix has fallen
off the map completely and The Master is getting no love at all.
Should Win: Daniel Day Lewis “Lincoln”
Director:
Pick: Stephen Spielberg “Lincoln”
Usually the director pick is easy because it’s always the
Directors Guild Award winner. Unfortunately Argo director Ben Affleck was not
nominated for reasons that still puzzle me. So let’s go with the veteran
Spielberg who hasn’t won the award in many years and seems to have a little
hype train behind him.
Should Win: Stephen Spielberg “Lincoln”
Best Picture:
Pick: Argo
The biggest category and the biggest risk. It hardly happens
but I’m rooting for the best picture and best director awards to be from
different films. Two weeks ago I would have thought one foolish to pick against
Lincoln, but after a huge momentum streak Argo seems now like the better pick.
It’s a risk but it’s one I’m going to take. Let’s hope now that Lincoln doesn’t
sweep the awards…
Should Win: Zero Dark Thirty
Alright then the picks are in. The full contest rules and
regulations will be up tomorrow Feb. 17th for your picking pleasure.
I’m confident in my picks and I don’t think there is much picking room around
them but we’ll see it should be a close contest.
The Oscars are coming!! It’s time to pick who will win the
awards. Of course the “Outpick Fred” contest will commence on Sunday February
17th and the rules of that contest along with my full list of my
picks will be presented on that day. For now I’m going to go through my picks
in detail in two parts The Small Awards and The Big Awards. The only picks I’m
not going to make are short film picks because I would look like a fool trying
to pick those. For now here are my picks for the smaller awards. (legend: Pick: my pick for what will win, Should win: what I think is the best in
each category)
Animated Picture
Pick: Brave
The
animated category is a bit of a tossup this year despite it being a weaker year
for animation. Based on awards hype so far my pick goes to Brave. Also the
award always seems to go to a Pixar film (save for Rango’s win last year). I
wouldn’t be surprised if Wreck it Ralph won but ultimately I think I have the
best chance with Brave.
Should Win: ParaNorman
Film Editing
Pick: Argo
I can
see Argo getting some love in this category. Really I don’t know if Lincoln
ends up sweeping (which I’m counting on that it doesn’t) I can see this award
going in that direction. I don’t see Argo winning too much (more on that next
article…) but I think it should get something here.
Should Win: Zero Dark Thirty
Cinematography:
Pick: Life of Pi
Total academy
pick here. Despite saying this I don’t think Life of Pi will pick up much else
come Oscar night.
Should Win: Skyfall
Original Score:
Pick: Life of Pi
That
being said I think Life of Pi will pick up score as well. Kind of that “going
with the hype” pick.
Should Win: Lincoln
Original Song:
Pick: Adele “Skyfall’
Easy
pick. I don’t think this has a chance of losing.
Should Win: Skyfall
Foreign Film:
Pick: Amour
Another
easy pick. It’s the only foreign film to be nominated for best picture. Do the
math…
Should win: Amour
Original Screenplay:
Pick: Django Unchained
This is
another tossup but I think that Django Unchained is the favorite going in and
that it will ultimately win the category.
Should win: Django Unchained
Adapted Screenplay:
Pick: Lincoln
I don’t
think Lincoln will sweep but there are a few that it’s going to win. Screenplay
is one of them.
Should Win: Lincoln
Visual Effects: Life of Pi
Shouldn’t
win but will. Another easy Academy pick.
Should Win: The Avengers
Production Design:
Pick: Les Miserables
It will
be a battle between this film and Anna Karenina. I think Les Mis takes this and
Anna Karenina takes the next award.
Should Win: Les Miserables
Costume Design:
Pick: Anna Karenina
The
costumes in this film are fantastic and as much as the academy loves Les Mis I
think Karenina can win this.
Should Win: Anna Karenina
Makeup:
Pick: The Hobbit
This
one seems like a no brainier in this category, I say go Hobbit 100%.
Should Win: The Hobbit
Documentary Feature:
Pick: Searching for the Sugar Man
I don’t
watch many docs but this is the only one that people seem to be talking about.
So I guess that is the one we go with then… (Doc category is kind of week isn’t
it)
Should Win:????
Sound Mixing:
Pick: Les Miserables
Take
Les Mis for this category. If it deserves any award it is this one.
Should Win: Les Miserables
Sound Editing:
Pick: Zero Dark Thirty
Zero
Dark Thirty has to win something and while it won’t win much this is one it
will win.
Should Win: Zero Dark Thirty
Come back tomorrow for the big category picks including Best
director, the acting awards, and best picture. Don’t forget contest starts
February 17th!
As the Oscars approach once again it’s time for the annual
tradition of revisiting the top 10 films of the year to create a more complete
list. In all, 2012 was a phenomenal year for film and the best year for films
in recent memory, although not until about October. Yes 2012 continued the
recent tradition of being a back loaded year and all the films on my top ten (except one)
are from the second half of the year. Even so there are some fantastic films on
this list and I’ve had the most trouble making this list this year than any
other year. As usual the precaution does apply that I am an amateur film critic
and thus don’t see everything that this year would have to offer. That being
said I believe that this is my most complete list to date by far and I couldn’t
see any of the films that I haven’t seen bumping these off the list. So let’s
get down to business shall we, these are the top 10 films of 2012.
Honorable Mentions:
The Dark Knight Rises, Moonrise Kingdom, Life of Pi, The
Avengers, Les Miserable
10. Skyfall
It is so great to see
a Bond film land on the top ten. One of the best action pictures to be released
this year Skyfall had everything that any Bond fan, or an espionage film fan in
general, could want. Great direction and cinematography, an intelligent plot
that examined the Boss and Agent relationship between M and Bond, and some
great callbacks for the 50th anniversary of the Bond franchise.
Overall Skyfall is just a great action film one that deserves every cent of the
massive amount of money it earned around the world.
9. Argo
Ben Affleck’s third film Argo provided one amazing thriller
experience. Argo provides the perfect mix of high tense set pieces and
perfectly timed comedy that made for one amazingly balanced film. The best
thing about Argo though is that it keeps getting better upon repeat viewings
allowing it to squeeze past Skyfall which was initially higher than Argo on
this list.
8. Beasts of the Southern Wild
2012’s little film that could was Beasts of the Southern
Wild. Beasts of the Southern Wild was small but left a large impact on almost
everyone who watched it with its triumphant performances and heartbreaking
storyline. It may be the smallest film to end up on this list but ultimately it
may have been the film that left the biggest impact on the viewer in 2012. What
a fantastic achievement on all fronts!
7. Cloud Atlas
The most polarizing film of the year Cloud Atlas was a film
that you either loved or despised the existence of. The ambition that is
present throughout Cloud Atlas’s over 2hour and 45 minute is worthy of
admiration on its own. What makes the film truly special though is that in the
end the film is not only ambitious but a really entertaining film. There are so
many great moments throughout from a Matrix like dystopia to a crazy escape
from an old folk’s home. Cloud Atlas is a film that is hardly seen in the days
of formulaic blockbusters and that itself is a fantastic achievement.
6. The Master
Two of the best performances of the year and the best
character study of the year came from Paul Thomas Anderson’s ambitious and
powerful film The Master. There are so many great moments that happen
throughout this film such as the dynamite first interrogation and the father,
son relationship that is consistent throughout the entire film. Not to mention
that Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman tore up the screen whenever
they were on it. It’s a shame that The Master is getting such little love from
the Oscars.
5. Lincoln
It’s a great year for films when the amazing Stephen
Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis film Lincoln only makes the fifth spot on this
list. The power of Lincoln comes through making the legendary president a human
being and not a looming legend. That mixed with great Spielbergian style and
drama made for a big emotional drama that cannot be missed. This plus Daniel
Day-Lewis giving yet another earth shattering performance made Lincoln an
amazing Stephen Spielberg film.
4. Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino doesn’t make many films, but when he does
make a film it’s an event. His take on the spaghetti western Django Unchained
continues this trend with a bang with all of great Tarantino on display here.
What makes Django Unchained a top notch Tarantino film is the message regarding
slavery and racism in America. Tarantino takes his big over the top spin on the
concept and takes it to the max. Tarantino is one of those directors that you
either love or detest, for me as long as he keeps making films like this I will
continue to love his filmmaking.
3. Amour
Another great veteran director Austrian born Michael Haneke
delivers perhaps his most powerful and jarring film to date, but not in the way
that is expected. Amour is about the survival of love at an old age and the
pain of losing the one you’ve loved for your entire life. Haneke employs the
powers of his Octavian lead actors, and the squirm inducing power of incredibly
long shots of simple emotional challenges. The best aspect of Amour is the
power it can produce from the smallest moments and the fact that the film never
attempts to manipulate the audience. It’s just about the simplicity of love and
pain, and in this case that is definitely for the best.
2. Zero Dark Thirty
Zero Dark Thirty is Kathryn Bigelow’s masterpiece, plain and
simple. Bigelow and writer Mark Boal have created a perfect example of how to
make the near perfect military thriller. The magic of Zero Dark Thirty is in its
balance of brilliant espionage thriller and a powerful character study. Jessica
Chastain delivers the female performance of the year as the broken and overcommitted
CIA agent who took down Osama Bin Laden. Sure the film isn’t entirely accurate but
demanding complete and total accuracy in a film like this is absurd. Zero Dark
Thirty is just an amazing film regardless of accuracy and a prime example of
how to make a brilliant thriller.
1. Looper
The best original Sci-Fi film since Minority Report Looper
has everything one could want from a Sci-Fi film and more. Looper contained the
best use of the premise of time travel ever in a film and that’s just the tip
of the iceberg. Looper is another example of the power of character development
on the fly and how truly plot and characters not action made this film the
great film that it is. Ultimately Looper is the best film of the year is
because it is the film that satisfied me on every level, the plot was twisty
and unpredictable, the characters fully developed, and the Sci-Fi elements unique
and powerful. Looper is pure Sci-Fi at its finest and the best film of 2012.
Terrorism and combating
terrorism is one of the most important aspects of most western intelligent
agencies. After the events of 9/11 the United States have been especially
vigilant its anti-terrorism efforts, going to many extremes to hunt and capture
certain targets. Perhaps the greatest of all these missions is the manhunt of
Osama Bin Laden, a mission that took a lot of time, money, and manpower. This
is where Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty comes in as it takes a behind the
curtain look on to the events that transpired during the time. The result is a
compelling thriller and a gripping character study. It may also be Kathryn
Bigelow’s masterpiece.
Zero Dark Thirty opens with
the events of 9/11, which are depicted only through sound, and ends with the
killing of Bin Laden. Between the bookends the film follows CIA agent Maya
(Jessica Chastain) and her hunt for Bin Laden and his associates. She begins
her journey witnessing her first torture operation lead by senior officer Dan
(Jason Clark). Maya was dropped into Pakistan at a young age and after Dan
becomes tired of the operation she takes over. The film follows Maya’s quest
for Bin Laden while the clock is ticking and attacks are becoming more and more
frequent.
Zero Dark Thirty is an
amazing espionage thriller that pulls no punches in its depiction of what when
into the hunt for Bin Laden. Torture and excessive force are used to show just
how far the CIA was willing to go to find its target. The true genius of the
film is tight rope it walks with the hunt as it never glorifies the idea of
torture for a certain cause and allows for the ethical and moral questions to
be brought up, but at the same time made the characters sympathetic enough to
root for. This isn’t no rah rah go America movie as it clearly states that some
of the things that are done to find Bin Laden are most certainly wrong.
The other aspect of Zero Dark
Thirty is the compelling on the fly character study that is presented. Jessica
Chastain delivers the female performance of the year as the powerful and overcommitted
Maya. Chastain plays the character with a shell of toughness while never
loosing the heart or emotional aspects of the character. The character study is
weaved carefully within the espionage in a way that is effective and powerful.
Unlike in the Hurt Locker, in which many of the character moments were a little
bit out of place, the character moments in Zero Dark Thirty always work and
ultimately provide a powerful emotional heart to the espionage spine.
Supporting performances come
and go in this film and there are some fleeting moments of good acting as the
film moves on. Jason Clark does good work as a superior officer and is perhaps
the supporting actor with the most screen time. The rest of the supporting cast
is filled with character actors and TV actors that pop in and out of the film
as the story sees fit. All do solid work with what they are given, but
ultimately this is the Jessica Chastain show and the film is much better for
it.
Zero Dark Thirty also has the
advantage of looking great as well. The film is well shot with a variety of
shot styles used throughout the film. The action scenes including depictions of
an attack on the CIA and the capture of Bin Laden are absolutely fantastic and
prove yet again that Kathryn Bigelow is a top notch action director. The score is
nothing impressive but does create enough atmosphere and provide enough energy
to be affective throughout the film.
Zero Dark Thirty may be
Kathryn Bigelow’s masterpiece, plain and simple. Form the energetic espionage thriller
skeleton to the heart of a powerful character study Zero Dark Thirty has
practically everything that can be asked from this sort of military thriller.
The film also manages to take a smart look on the ethics of a man hunt of this
scale without political interference. Add in the best female performance of 2012
with Jessica Chastain’s spellbinding performance as the over obsessed CIA agent
Maya and Zero Dark Thirty easily finds itself amongst the very best of an
already amazing year for film.
