For anyone that might be interested, here’s my list of the 9 Best Picture nominees for tonight’s Academy Awards, in order of how I liked them (with the criteria being a long, convoluted mix of entertainment and cinematic artistry, for whatever that’s worth) :
1. Zero Dark Thirty
– a well-oiled machine of a film; expertly crafted, and the verisimilitude that it brings – when compared to the typical Hollywood action flick – is impressive; I remember, at some point late in this viewing, the thought crossed through my mind, “Damn…this is a really good film.”
– a well-oiled machine of a film; expertly crafted, and the verisimilitude that it brings – when compared to the typical Hollywood action flick – is impressive; I remember, at some point late in this viewing, the thought crossed through my mind, “Damn…this is a really good film.”
2. Amour
– a heart-wrenching, unflinching view of life and love in the twilight of our years; requires the right of frame of mind to watch and accept it, but it rewards the viewer with its skill and minimalism; this film still lingers in my mind
– a heart-wrenching, unflinching view of life and love in the twilight of our years; requires the right of frame of mind to watch and accept it, but it rewards the viewer with its skill and minimalism; this film still lingers in my mind
3. Silver Linings Playbook
– the most purely entertaining of the 9 nominees; the heartbeat of this film pulses onscreen and wraps the viewer up in the experience; a bit contrived at times but it’s a testament to the film that it makes you love it anyways despite its trappings
– the most purely entertaining of the 9 nominees; the heartbeat of this film pulses onscreen and wraps the viewer up in the experience; a bit contrived at times but it’s a testament to the film that it makes you love it anyways despite its trappings
4. Lincoln
– an impressive “quiet” film from Spielberg; so restrained and dignified; history comes alive onscreen
– an impressive “quiet” film from Spielberg; so restrained and dignified; history comes alive onscreen
5. Life of Pi
– this one surprised me – I was not ready for how impactful and insightful this film would be; it got better and better in my memory the more I thought back on it
– this one surprised me – I was not ready for how impactful and insightful this film would be; it got better and better in my memory the more I thought back on it
6. Argo
– I enjoyed this one, but found myself annoyed by the weakness of certain scenes and disappointed in the lack of characterization of some of the principles; plus, my opinion of this one dropped a bit more after learning that a great deal of creative license was taken with the “true events” upon which this is based.
– I enjoyed this one, but found myself annoyed by the weakness of certain scenes and disappointed in the lack of characterization of some of the principles; plus, my opinion of this one dropped a bit more after learning that a great deal of creative license was taken with the “true events” upon which this is based.
7. Django Unchained
– a close second on the “most entertaining” list of the bunch; the skill involved in this film raises it above it’s genre limitations and exploitative style; I really enjoyed this one, but found it to be a better “movie” than “film”
– a close second on the “most entertaining” list of the bunch; the skill involved in this film raises it above it’s genre limitations and exploitative style; I really enjoyed this one, but found it to be a better “movie” than “film”
8. Beasts of the Southern Wild
– a decent film, but severely lacking when held up against the other nominees; this film both benefits (exposure) and suffers (it’s not a great film) from its Academy Award nomination
– a decent film, but severely lacking when held up against the other nominees; this film both benefits (exposure) and suffers (it’s not a great film) from its Academy Award nomination
9. Les Miserables
– I want to blame my disdain for this film on my bias against musicals, but even with that in mind, I found this to be poorly done and nowhere near award-worthy; the filmmakers swung for the fences in scope and style, but the result is a disappointing production that fits perfectly on a Broadway stage but not on the silver screen
– I want to blame my disdain for this film on my bias against musicals, but even with that in mind, I found this to be poorly done and nowhere near award-worthy; the filmmakers swung for the fences in scope and style, but the result is a disappointing production that fits perfectly on a Broadway stage but not on the silver screen
As far a my predictions for what will actually win, it’s looking like it will be Argo – which puzzles me. But then again, that always seems to be the case – what I view as the best of the bunch is usually different than the actual winner. And conversely, what wins Best Picture is usually a bit of a ways down on my list. To each his own, I guess.
As of Saturday a week ago, it marked another fast and furious month of movie viewing leading up to the Oscars. A special thanks, once again, to my wife for putting up with this annual tradition. On the morning of the first viewing (Django Unchained on Jan. 12), I sent her a text to say as much to her. Her reply was one of the sweetest things I’ve ever read:“I think it’s kinda neat that you do this every year. I have always admired your traditions, so I’m not putting up with them, I am embracing them. They make you Andy and I love Andy :)”
Oh, and thanks to my two daughters, as well, for understanding – somewhat – that Daddy couldn’t take them to see these films even though they so very much wanted to join me.
Leave a Reply