JMG's Oscar Reviews 2008 (1459 hits)
Category: Movies & TVRating: 1.34 on 33 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by JMG114 (View user info) at 2008-02-22 11:48:05 EST
It's that time of year. Oscar time. Here's my rundown of the Best Picture nominees:
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Written By: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Directed By: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
The Coens' latest opus has been called their best film, and not without reason. Josh Brolin plays Llewellyn Moss, a hapless hunter who stumbles upon $2 million amidst a pile of dead bodies a stone's throw from the Rio Grande. He grabs the money and is thereafter relentlessly stalked by Javier Bardem's Anton Chigurh, a monstrous, soft-spoken killer whose like hasn't been seen on film since Robert Mitchum's portrayal of murderous preacher Harry Powell in Charles Laughton's Night of the Hunter (1955). The film is framed within Sheriff Ed Bell's (Tommy Lee Jones) wounded, world-weary pursuit of both the hunter and the prey. It's easy to look for echoes of Fargo, but No Country is a far deeper and darker story, one that hums a steady melody of young and old, life and death. Roger Deakins's dreamlike cinematography compliments Chigurh's imminent, dangerous, and yet ethereal presence. While there is considerable discussion over the film's ending (heroically faithful to Cormac McCarthy's book), I believe it necessary to reconcile the movie's theme of lingering in a world that's just spiraled right on past you.
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
Written By: Paul Thomas Anderson
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson
The most quotable movie of the year, Anderson's follow-up to 2002's comparatively tame Punch Drunk Love is a movie that one can either love or hate. As it turns out, I love it. Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood provides a jarring, staccato, furious score that is more of a character in the movie itself rather that mere music. Blood also possesses the finest acting performance of the year, embodied in Daniel Day-Lewis's flawless portrayal of oil man Daniel Plainview. Plainview is a hateful misanthrope, hoping to leave the world behind him forever. The movie makes it easy to see why. It subtly and successfully constructs a world in which you subscribe to Plainview's own code as a moral base, and anyone who isn't Plainview becomes weak and flawed by comparison. It's striking to catch yourself cheering for such a spiteful character, but there you are, cheering right along. After the film's singularly violent resolution, the breath you've been holding in for over two hours is still not exhaled. Anderson's minimalist style and Day-Lewis's shocking performance compliment each other exceedingly well. Young newcomer Dillon Freasier plays H. W. Plainview, in the unsettling role of Daniel's adopted son and business partner, with aching finesse. Blood forces the viewer into a loud, kinetic, theological landscape in which only the strong survive. But don't be surprised if you find yourself rooting against the underdog.
I drink your milkshake. I drink it up.
MICHAEL CLAYTON
Written By: Tony Gilroy
Directed By: Tony Gilroy
If "The Shawshank Redemption" met a legal thriller, you'd have Michael Clayton. A powerhouse cast (George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack) brings the story of a "fixer" in one of New York's most powerful law firms, to life. Clooney plays Clayton, the go-to guy the hotshot lawyers call when there's a mess that no one else can clean up. Saddled with paying a deadbeat brother's debts, Clayton faces the mess of his career when his firm's most brilliant counselor (Wilkinson) makes a class action suit against a chemical company into a personal crusade. When Clayton's tasked with containing the fallout, he discovers that his colleague's madness may be anything but, and soon he's on the run for his life. Clayton's son is obsessed with a young adult fantasy novel and companion card game (called Realm + Conquest), the themes and images of which hover under the water until surfacing beautifully in the movie's final act. Michael Clayton is dark and brooding, but dappled with both spoken and unspoken moments of nearly transcendent writing. It also has one of the most satisfying endings I have seen in recent memory. See it.
ATONEMENT
Written By: Christpher Hampton
Directed By: Joe Wright
Atonement, this year's British darling, is awful. Following the story of young Briony Tallis (played by a talented Saoirse Ronan), several chance encounters and observations lead to a case of mistaken intentions and an older sister's (Kiera Knightly as herself) lover (James McAvoy in a polished performance) being accused of a crime he did not commit. The remainder of the movie traces how Briony's accusation forever changes the lives of herself and those around her. The movie is beautifully shot (by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey - The Hours, High Fidelity) and contains a mind-blowing tracking shot on Dunkirk Beach in France. Despite this, Atonement leads the viewer on and is unsatisfying to the extreme. In a movie called "Sadness," you'd expect to find sadness. In a movie entitled, "Fury," you'd think that you'd be in for some anger. The movie called "Atonement" is shockingly short on what you expect to see, especially if what you expect to see is a movie with a great plot that rewards its audience instead of pulling the rug out from under them in one of the most manipulative devices I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing. The soundtrack is short-listed for a best original score award because the composer (Dario Marianelli - V for Vendetta, The Brothers Grimm) used the sound of a typewriter as percussion within his music. Wow.
JUNO
Written By: Diablo Cody
Directed By: Jason Reitman
This year's "Little Miss Sunshine" promises a similar commentary on a community as Napoleon Dynamite, but it comes up short in its writing. Juno follows the story of a high school girl (Ellen Page) whose moron friend-boy (Michael Sera) impregnates her, and her decision to carry the baby to term. First off, Juno's "romance" with her "boyfriend" is ridiculous. Cera's character comes off as a total idiot who just wants to screw around, and even though Juno sees things in him that the audience doesn't, he's not fleshed out enough to come across as sympathetic. Also, there is way too much music playing between scenes. It's as if the writer and producers simply could not allow for a moment of silence in the entire film, and therefore had to fill up all quiet moments with folksy, patronizing music. The dialogue wasn't bad, but I didn't find it any more enthralling than most teen fare. J. K. Simmons (as Juno's father Mac MacGuff) was a great casting choice, as it's nowadays hard to imagine him in a role in which he isn't yelling at Peter Parker. The whole thing struck me as a thinly veiled, preachy "love-by-numbers-for-teenagers" tale. Jason Bateman (the one and only) plays a rather cookie-cutter male commitment-phobe alongside an irritating Jennifer Garner in a two-dimensional, baby-hungry role. If this doesn't stop you from seeing Juno, then bear in mind that every seasonal transition in the film is announced via a line of high school boys, nearly invariably clad in too-short, too-tight shorts.
On the plus side, there are some great movies up for awards this year. Go watch something.
User Reviews
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2008-02-24 14:48:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2008-02-24 01:45:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
There Will Be Blood is the best movie of this short century so far.
Submitted by Lambchop (user info) at 2008-02-23 15:54:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2008-02-22 13:31:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Juno had a good soundtrack, too.
I enjoyed the score to Atonement more than I enjoyed the movie.
The only one I didn't see was There Will Be Blood.
---
The reason TWBB wasn't nominated for Best Original Score because it was DQ'd.
Jonny Greenwood used some of the music from somewhere else, so it wasn't entirely "original".
Submitted by Quint (user info) at 2008-02-22 22:09:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good reviews, although the real crime this year is that Big Wet Asses 10 was not nominated for Best Picture, despite winning multiple AVN awards.
Submitted by MyTeeOne (user info) at 2008-02-22 18:17:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sadly, I haven't seen any of these. I really wanted to see Juno, No country, and Blood. I have no desire to see Clayton - it looks like the male version of Erin Blagwhatever.
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2008-02-22 18:02:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Word is Clayton might sneak in a couple of spots because Blood and Country will split the vote.
Submitted by JMG114 (user info) at 2008-02-22 16:53:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
"it's pretty hard to not be at least a little envious at someone who gets nominated (and will likely win) for a first effort"
I agree. My review, however, was written as a lifelong cinema fan. I don't just make them. I watch them, and I know what I like. I also know enough about Hollywood politicking to agree that Juno will most likely win for its screenplay, although a movie like Michael Clayton betrays far more artful dialogue as well as the actors who understand how to make it their own.
No Country will sweep most categories, although I'd like to see a distribution between Country, Blood, and Clayton.
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:34:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I can agree with some of that.
But sometimes an artist elevates those around him.
For example, Denzel won an Oscar for Training Day, which without him would have been a pedestrian effort at best. But his performance was so titanic he even pulled Ethan Hawke to a supporting nom just for sharing the screen with him.
Likewise, Juno. No fucking way Reitman gets a nod without that script and the perfect actress to speak the words.
Of course, his daddy was making calls, but that's a whole n'other issue.
My point is, since I understand you to be a screenwriter yourself, is that it's pretty hard to not be at least a little envious at someone who gets nominated (and will likely win) for a first effort.
I live and work out here, and trust me, every screenwriter in town is green with envy. It's only human. The Little Miss Sunshine dude was deserving as hell, too. That was a tight script. Better than Juno. People weren't as catty about him because women always have to overcome a little bit more, know what I'm saying?
Where's the fucking predictions, brother? Put it out there.
Submitted by FALLEN (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:30:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
My biggest problem with Juno, was thinking that her real life boyfriend must have a sign over the bed reminding him that "she is leagal" while he's banging her.
she looks like she's 12.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:22:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2008-02-22 14:44:23 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
I've seen three of these movies and not for nothin', I thoroughly enjoyed Juno.
---
Of course you did.
Submitted by rob_berg (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:21:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I've only seen one of those.
: (
Submitted by netimportant (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:20:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I didn't see any of these.
I fail.
Submitted by haikumikoo (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:08:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I watched Juno stoned as hell and it still sucked immense amounts of ball sack.
Submitted by Spuzzum (user info) at 2008-02-22 15:00:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Without Rambo IV as best picture the whole thing is a travesty.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2008-02-22 14:44:23 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
I've seen three of these movies and not for nothin', I thoroughly enjoyed Juno.
Submitted by Ltap (user info) at 2008-02-22 14:39:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You're right, Atonement was just over-hyped shit. Juno was supposed to have likable characters and a realistic plot (I think), but it failed (also, what is with all these anti-abortion movies lately? Now having an abortion would seem to be "backing out", as opposed to nobly taking care of a baby). I haven't seen the others, unfortunately.
Submitted by JMG114 (user info) at 2008-02-22 14:24:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Just because a movie is nominated for numerous accolades doesn't mean that it's deserving of those it wins (see The Departed, Chicago, A Beautiful Mind, Shakespeare in Love, etc. All decent films, but hardly worthy of being called "Best Picture.")
There's no need to be jealous of screenwriting missteps or of poorly developed characters or, for that matter, poor acting. The academy likes rewarding the low-budget underdog (see Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen, etc.) to encourage independent, low-budget filmmakers. That doesn't mean that they're necessarily deserving.
Submitted by HotWillie (user info) at 2008-02-22 14:06:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I disagree completely about Juno and its screenplay.
The script actually propelled Reitman (director), Page (actress) and the film itself into nominations.
Reitman in particular was no great shakes as director; all he had to do was let Page motor through that dialogue, which sounds easy to write and perform but it's actually the opposite.
His work was in casting the motherfucker.
Michael Cera's character was fully developed with so little effort because the actor handled the material perfectly.
Methinks you sound jealous of the stripper hitting one out of the park her first time at the plate.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2008-02-22 13:31:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Juno had a good soundtrack, too.
I enjoyed the score to Atonement more than I enjoyed the movie.
The only one I didn't see was There Will Be Blood.
With that noted, my guess is Michael Clayton will win Best Picture.
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2008-02-22 13:15:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I liked Juno, even if very unrealistic, as all Hollywood movies about teenagers are.
I see Superbad didn't get nominated for anything. >.>
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2008-02-22 13:06:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I have heard of exactly none of these films. C'est la vie. I don't get to the theatres much...
Submitted by Lambchop (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:31:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Country and TWBB are my 2 favorite movies for 2007.
If DDL doesn't get the Best Actor, it's a sham.
Between him in Gangs of New York and this movie, he's one of the best actors of this generation.
Submitted by MudWhistle (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:22:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I think where moviegoers are getting upset with No Country is because the Movie seems to be centered around Moss for so long but the book....the book is about the Sheriff, always returning to the sheriff.
I loved the movie but I don't think enough of a deal was made about the opening dialog of the sheriff....you can't put something that meaningful in the beginning of movie while people are still entering the theater and finding seats, getting adjusted and so on.
also....what....no accolades for the Chipmunk Movie?
Submitted by iddqd (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:18:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
ive not seen any of these, though id really like to see blood and no country. who has time to go to the cinema.
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:14:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The most frustrating thing about No Country was that, while terribly faithful to the book, it eliminated two relateively brief scenes that really help flesh out the character of Chigurh. Well, to be fair, the scenes weren't removed so much as abbreviated. The conversations he has with Wells and Carla Jean are critical to the understanding of Chigurh, but the stupid Coen Bros. cut out a good half of each one.
This might have been the first time that I left a movie really, really convinced that the book was better. Likely because of the sick faithfulness throughout, whereas most movies just use a book as a springboard for their on-screen vehicle. Blah.
Submitted by HurtByTheSun (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:11:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Last King of Scotland was also awesome.
(Best bit of Atonement: http://youtube.com/watch?v=m_yhuhp880s)
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:08:37 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Fuck you for hating Juno
Submitted by Doodles (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:03:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I remember seeing Napoleon Dynamite after being told by people how amazing it was. It fucking sucked ass and I've never seen another 'Indie' movie again.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:03:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I cannot stand Keira Knightley. I want to wipe that stupid puss off her face with a shovel.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:03:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Bardem's a lock.
Submitted by HurtByTheSun (user info) at 2008-02-22 12:01:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
British films to see instead of Atonement:
Hot Fuzz
Hallam Foe
Taking Liberties
Control
Notes on a Scandal
This is England
Eastern Promises
28 Weeks Later
Sugarhouse
Thank me later.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2008-02-22 11:57:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by HurtByTheSun (user info) at 2008-02-22 11:54:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Atonement was pretty disappointing. The book is excellent though.