Now it is not often that overseas (non American) films that generate a lot of buzz and great reviews from Sundance end up making it into the Oscar race.
In fact this hardly ever happens.
However this film has gotten some great notices, perhaps enough to raise its profile for some acting or screenplay attention (Actress Jackie Weaver is supposed to be all sorts of good as the matriarch and you know me, anytime a new, almost unheard of Actress gets any sort of rave, I am all there.) if it is handled correctly.
It is worth noting that the calibre in film that is coming out of Australia is all sorts of brilliant. Sooner or later something is going to cross over in a big way, aside from its actors.
It seems the majority of movie news coming through is not very interesting. Sure some interesting casting choices are being made, and there are some minor 'hmmmmmm's' going around, but nothing that makes you go "OMG THAT IS AMAZING NEWS!!!!". Sure critics are getting laid off and 'The Hobbit' shooting schedule is delayed yet again, and Angelina Jolie is now up for the lead in Maleficent (so should have been Sigourney) but where is the news that makes you leap for joy? All we are getting is that 'Alice In Wonderland' is cleaning up at the Box Office and more and more franchises are getting re-booted or started in Hollywoods scramble to 3D almost everything. I for one couldn't care less about 3D. It is distracting from the films quality.
What I want is Cannes. I love Cannes. The line up is the first clue, then one by one anticipated films are shown and reviewed and one by one film makers chances of glory are either squashed or raised. This year seems so dull. At least last year we had 'Precious', 'An Education', 'The Hurt Locker' and 'The Messenger' already screened to give us all some excitement about the year to come. Or perhaps it is just me. The scramble to see as many films as I could near the end of last year, and the beginning of this year, completely wiped me out. I can barely sit through a full length film right now.
My recent viewing are as follows:
'The Simpsons' seasons 1 to 10 'Sex and the City' seasons 1 to 3 (still going) 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' 'Futurama' seasons 1 to 4
Do you notice a pattern? Focusing on some major light entertainment for a spell - debating stopping 'City' when it comes to cheating, cancer, childless couples because that is just far too heavy. It is March I have not gone to see one single 2010 release. Not a one. Oscar season doesn't usually take it out of me so. Even 'How To Train Your Dragon' cannot tempt me (although it looks wondering - in 2D)
I will go and see 'Kick Ass' as it has gotten nothing but fantastic reviews over here and looks to be a hell of a lot of fun.
What this lag has done is allowed me to finished up my MAFFE Awards which were time consuming to do considering this was the year I wanted to do clips (doh!). What I found really interesting is after leaving the films for a while, deciding on categories then looking at all the films I had seen in 2009, certain films has dulled while others seemed so much better over a little time.
Sure 'Precious' featured heavily as expected but 'Avatar' didn't. I guess a little time gave me perspective over the biggest film of all time (i you do not adjust for inflation). When you have over $500,000,000.00 to play with and 12 years, one would hope all that money and time would create something fairly decent. I guess in these times of recession and redundancies I was more impressed with doing more for less. Sure 'Up' cost £175 million but it was sure worth it. I actually think the twelve films I consider the best, as a total, cost less than 'Avatar'. Makes me feel kind of good.
Sorry for this rambling (filler) post. Let me leave you know with a question.
If the Academy sent out their nomination ballots in March, to give out their awards in May (pre Cannes) do you think the outcome would be considerably different?
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The indelible films are:
'Los Abrazos Rotos' Almodovar and Cruz again cause for delight in this ravishing and melodramatic tale of love and obsession. It is as if Douglas Sirk and Alfred Hitchcock helped co-direct it. Rapturous entertainment at the highest order. Trailer
'District 9' In this crazily original, bravely political film, you forget you are watching sci-fi and get sucked into the humanity of the film. Sometimes difficult stories need some separation in order to reach more people. Bonus points for not being like other sci-fi films - predictable. Trailer
'The Hurt Locker' Forget the conventional narrative hook and just watch the tensions between these people and the situations they are in. An exhilarating action war film by a film maker who understands what a war film needs to work. Trailer
'Inglourious Basterds' As with most Tarantino films, this has a cocky swagger. This could be the World War II film to end them all. A crazy and grand film that will linger long after the final gruesome chuckle. Trailer
'Mary & Max' This is like no other animated film I have seen. Sure the production is not amazing, but this film soars above the rest because if tells a story that that little lonely person in us all can relate to. Trailer
'La Nana' One of those darkly comic films about the humanity in us all that leave you a little off kilter - bordering on psychotic. The voice of a striking new talent in cinema and an actress we will all be on the look out for. Trailer
'Precious' We get so deeply immersed in the depth of human suffering and mental illness that when we come out we feel exhausted. This is dark social commentary at its best. No wonder so many people cannot take it. Trailer
'The September Issue' Sure there were more 'important' documentaries out this year, but none that had so much humor, charm, vivacity and delight as this. You went in excited for Wintour and came out shouting "Coddington"! Trailer
'A Single Man' It may not seem original, but every time you see something that burrows so deeply into the emotional truths of love, grief, loss and desire that they touch something in all of us that seems so shiny and new. Trailer
'Up' Pixar have the best batting average as a studio. Here they are winsome, touching and so so funny. A totally captivating odd-couple adventure. Bonus points for those incredibly moving first 10 minutes. Trailer
'Das Weisse Band' Intensely detailed yet oh so askew, slow but riveting. This film is so seductive, that even after the ending, with its lack of closure, you still experience something deeply disturbing. I am still experiencing it months later. Trailer
'Whip it!' This film is like its director. Sweet but not sickly, funny, but not stupid. Sometimes when you go to the cinema, all you really want to do is have a good ole time. This film reintroduces that notion whilst also being so real. Trailer
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The Maestros are:
Drew Barrymoore - 'Whip It!' Drew is one of the most likable people in Hollywood. The fact that managed to get across her sense of fun and energy is no small feat. If only ever film bubbled with such joyous feeling. Behind the scenes clip
Katherine Bigelow - 'The Hurt Locker' It has been a great year for female directors. Katherine showed that she can make a better war film than most boys, not that it is a genre competition or anything.Behind the scenes clip
Neill Blomlamp - 'District 9' What a shocker. This film was not supposed to do much (made in a small amount of time for not a lot of money), but because of his vision you get one of the most emotional/action filled/political films of the year. Unlike anything else. Behind the scenes clip
Lee Daniels - 'Precious' You can see his love sweat and tears in every frame. A deeply personal project, You also see his mastery with actors continue here as he evokes 100% truthful performances from even the tiniest player.Behind the scenes clip
Michael Haneke ' The White Ribbon' He slowly crafted a slow burner of a paranoia film. The mood, the focus, the performances all had to be just right to pull this off, and he was the master in control. Clip
Quentin Tarantino - 'Inglourious Basterds' He is a master of directing. His love for movies is unlike any other director out there. A true fan that poured his love into one of the most entertaining fantasy films of the year. Behind the scenes clip
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The ladies who lead are:
Nisreen Faour - 'Amreeka' I do not think there was a warmer performance to be found this year. She keeps the joy despite so many set backs. So many complex emotions are played across her beautiful face it is thrilling to watch. Clip
Carey Mulligan - 'An Education' A star making turn all right, but people tend to forget that it was the performance that lingered. Playing wise and naive at the same time looked so easy. Clip
Maya Rudolph - 'Away We Go' One of those performances the ends up staying with you long after you have seen it. she can, in one look show love, hurt, fear, sorrow and mischief. Clip
Catalina Saveedra - 'La Nana' Shifty, angry, in pain and oh so loyal. Raquel is complex and bewildering. Saveedra makes her so human it hurts to watch. Clip
Gabourey Sidibe - 'Precious' Never once does she make a choice as an actress that is not completely in serving to the character and story. More highly nuanced and intelligent than most actresses with bigger careers. Clip
Tilda Swinton - 'Julia' She goes to places for this character that few actresses would dare to tread. Her Julia is a wretch, and she is not scared to get dirty. Clip
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The bold men in lead are:
Sharlto Copley - 'District 9' One of the most captivating and complex character arcs of the year. His slow realization of his own humanity is a revelation. Clip
Colin Firth - 'A Single Man' Complex and insular. You feel his despair and watching him go through his day is a painful experience. He never lets you forget that he has lost his one love, even when flirting with desire. Clip
Tahar Rahim - 'Un Prophete' A scorching debut. He owns the screen and runs through every possible emotion like a pro. How ever can he follow this up? Clip
Sam Rockwell - 'Moon' It is just him in this movie, and he brings a feeling of such humanity even when realizing he isn't supposed to have any. Clip
Michael Stuhlbarg - 'A Serious Man' His growing panic is a joy to watch. He is like a crab in a bucket trying to stay ahead of a life spiraling out of control. Clip
Ben Whishaw - 'Bright Star' He is the poet. His love, although so passionate, is based in reality that he cannot control. Clip
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The ladies who support are:
Penelope Cruz - 'Los Abrazos Rotos' Perhaps category fraud, but she serves the story in support. Sexy vibrant and a little bit on the verge. She keeps getting better. Clip
Marcia Gay Harden - 'Whip It' She layers this character so well. Brittle, warm, sexy, confident, loving, together all in one package. She sees past the caricature. Clip
Diane Kruger - 'Inglourious Basterds' The consummate actress/spy, yet the reality of the situation and the fear are always showing behind the eyes. Clip
Melanie Laurent - 'Inglourious Basterds' The scene where she is forced to eat with the man who almost destroyed her was magnificent. The fact that she kept up that level of acting after was no small feat. Clip
Mo'Nique - 'Precious' The execution of Mary Jones was key, and Mo'Nique delivered a soul shaking performance of a very damaged woman. Best of the decade. Clip
Rosamund Pike - 'An Education' Come across as dumb, but plays it on so many level that she quickly becomes the most intriguing character in the film. Clip
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The men who support are:
Niels Arestrup - 'Un Prophete' The cruel and powerful teacher. He is seething anger and hate until he is betrayed and we see the sad lonely old man. Clip/Trailer
Peter Capaldi - 'In The Loop' Props for remembering all those insults and keeping a straight face. Angry and frantic, you are waiting for his head to explode. Clip/Trailer
Zack Galigianakis - 'The Hangover' Manages to be funny, irreverent, a little frightening and extremely moving all at the same time. Clip/Trailer
Woody Harrelson - 'The Messenger' For all the gruff manly exterior, the pain of his life is slowly surfacing. A fully realized performance. Clip/Trailer
Anthony Mackie - 'The Hurt Locker' The sense of reason in all the crazy. He has seem too much and it is taking its toll. Masterful performance. Clip/Trailer
Christolph Waltz - 'Inglourious Basterds' There is a reason he swept the awards race. This was one of those performances that you can not imagine anyone else doing half as good. Scary, charming and it all seemed so effortless. Clip/Trailer
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The brilliant cast and casting directors are:
'An Education' - Casting Director Lucy Bevan Carey Mulligan, Olivia Williams, Alfred Molina, Cara Seymour, Matthew Beard, Peter Sarsgaard, Amanda Fairbank-Hynes, Ellie Kendrick, Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike.
Each grouping has its own unique rhythm and flow. It comes across as completely genuine, even if the story does not. Clip
'In The Loop' - Casting Director Sarah Crowe and Meredith Tucker Peter Capaldi ... Malcolm Tucker, Tom Hollander, Gina McKee, James Gandolfini, Chris Addison, Anna Chlumsky, Paul Higgins, Mimi Kennedy, Alex Macqueen, Olivia Poulet, David Rasche, James Smith, Zach Woods, Enzo Cilenti, Johnny Pemberton, Joanna Scanlan and Steve Coogan.
With such fast paced dialogue you need a cast that will not get swallowed up by it. Each memeber works wonders. Clip
Pitt aside, Tarantino is known for collecting interesting people to collaborate with. Here the pay off is outstanding. Clip
'Precious' - Casting Director Billy Hopkins and Jessica Kelly Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Stephanie Andujar, Chyna Layne, Amina Robinson, Xosha Roquemore, Angelic Zambrana, Aunt Dot and Nealla Gordon.
The brilliance of these actors is no one goes for showy. No one tries to hog the spotlight and thus one of the most uniformly excellent acting was showcased. Clip
'Whip It' - Casting Director Justine Baddeley and Kim Davis Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Alia Shawkat, Eve, Zoe Bell, Ari Graynor, Eulala Scheel, Andrew Wilson, Carlo Alban and Landon Pigg.
More than any film this year, I wanted to be on this set. They all work so well off one another. The energy is infectiousClip
