Sunday, February 24, 2008

Gone Baby Gone

This will post will be a review and discussion of sorts on the film Gone Baby Gone, directed by Ben Affleck and staring Casey Affleck. I will admit it.....upon first hearing about this movie last fall, I wrote it off simply due to Affleck's name being attached to the film; however, as it garnered more and more positive reviews (from many of my favorite film sites and critics) I decided to give the movie a shot. Alas....as luck (and timing) would have it, I never did have a chance to see the film in theaters, but thanks to DVD, here it is before me....one of the finest films to come out this past year.

Let us first begin with the story itself (there are minor spoilers, so tread softly). The tale is simple enough: a girl is kidnapped and Casey Affleck's character is hired, by the family to find the daughter of coke addicted mother, played fantastically by Amy Ryan. The tale appears relatively straightforward throughout; however, takes an abrupt hit in the middle. What was once a simple crime film with powerful performances becomes a drama worthy of mention beside the likes of Chinatown and LA Confidential. The film does not try to perform a Shymalan on the audience as the twist is not too far fetched and the details leading up to it make sense. In fact, one could say that part of the film's brilliance is in the fact that it lays the clues right in front of you, but the audience chooses to ignore the hints, not out of ignorance or apathy, but out of hope. From start to finish the film's tale is unrelenting with its rather morose view on the human conscious, that what should be black and white...becomes gray. (Hmm...actually that was spoiler free...never mind).

Every actor in this film instilling the in the audience the belief that they are justified in their actions. Whether it is Casey Affleck's and Ed Harris's rather black and white view on society and how one should behave or Michelle Monaghan's rather "pending the scnerio" ideology....all the characters are presented as being correct in their choices throughout the film. Interestingly, and this is most likely caused by wonderful acting and a well written script, the film makes it impossible for the audience to pass judgment on any of the characters, much less dislike any of those involved...making the film's final twenty minutes all the more unsettling.
The overall presentation throughout the film matches the somber tone of the tale. Ben Affleck does not resort to using any cheap techniques to pull at the heartstrings of his audience (ex: the little girl in Crash) nor does he use a spastic style of cinematography style found in many modern crime films (ex: The Departed). He simply allows the tale to prove to the audience that it is well worth their emotional investment.

It should be noted that while the performances are fantastic (Amy Ryan and Casey Affleck in particular), the real star of this film is the idea of moral ambiguity. There is little black and white in the film (one must watch the film completely to understand this, as it appears to contradict a previous statement), which leaves the viewer unsure not only of the choices made by those on screen, but of those made by society.

Overall it was a fantastic film that should be seen.

B+

Friday, February 22, 2008

Oscars 2008

So it is that time of year again, when some of the finest films to have come out in the industry are honored by the academy. As you can probably guess, the subject matter of this post will revolve around just whom I believe will take home the statues this year. It should be noted that unlike like past ceremonies....many of the nominated films are really deserving of the award (no Crash or The Departed incident this year)...although the fact that Norbit was even mentioned....makes me a little ill. So without further delay....my picks for the Oscars this year.

*Note: this will go from least to most important, with explanations to follow the more important awards...as well as a distinction between what I believe will win and what I want to win (unless they are the one in the same). I will also skip categories where it would simply be a guess with no real founding.

Visual Effects
Should Win: Pirates of the Caribbean
Will Win: Pirates of the Caribbean
Not a fan of any of the films to be honest (all felt rather mechanical and lacking of heart), but at the very least the effects in Pirates did not feel overbearing and tiresome throughout the film. Unlike the other two, the effects in Pirates felt balanced and well used.

Sound Mixing
Should Win: No Country For Old Men
Will Win: No Country For Old Men
One should get used to hearing this movie throughout the night, as it will be the big winner..but on to this specific award. The sound editing in this film was perfect for each scene and very much was the reason for causing the great amount of tension throughout the film. It was subtle, yet terrifying....just what more can one ask for?

Makeup
Should Win: Pirates of the Caribbean
Will Win: Pirates of the Caribbean
Once again, I did not like the film, but it still did look rather beautiful.

Music Song
Should Win: "Falling Slowly" from Once
Will Win: "Falling Slowly" from Once
This one will be fairly easy, as in all likely hood the three nominations for Enchanted will most likely null its competition. However, even if it were not the case...the presentation and actual song are more than worthy of taking home the prize.

Music (Score)
Should (have been nominated) Win: There Will Be Blood
Will Win: Atonement
Alright...this was one of the larger snubs for this ceremony. The score for the film was perfect for it and the finest I've heard in a film, but cannot do anything about it. The score in Atonement is pretty fantastic, as well...so there is some consolation I guess.

Film Editing
Should Win: There Will Be Blood or No Country for Old Men
Will Win: No Country for Old Men
A difficult category...as both are more than deserving of the award. At the end of the day it really depends on personal opinion, but I feel that it will go to No Country by default.

Cinematography
Should Win: Atonement
Will Win: Atonement
All the nominated films do a fantastic job in this category and I wish each could simply share the award, but Atonement was just that much better. this award was won with the beautiful shot at Dunkirk.

Animated Feature
Should Win: Ratatouille
Will Win: Ratatouille
When there are high profile critics saying this should have been nominated for best picture, much less best animated....that's saying a lot.

Actor in a Supporting Role
Should Win: Javier Bardem
Will Win: Javier Bardem
No contest. He has won every award up until this point and really deserves all then attention he is receiving. He simply played one of the finest characters to be on screen in recent memory.

Actress in a Supporting Role
Should Win: Cate Blanchett
Will Win: Cate Blanchett
A difficult category with many possibilities, as all (aside from Ronan) have been recognized in previous award ceremonies. It is considered by many to be the most difficult category to determine, but due to the fact that Blanchett did a phenomenal job as one of America's living icons...I believe there will be an award for her.

Actress in a Leading Role
Should Win: Ellen Page
Will Win: Julie Christie
I would love to see Page win this if only because her character could have come off as annoying and snobbish in Juno; however, instead, it was heartfelt and endearing. I say Christie will win because she has received quite a bit of preshow attention in prior award ceremonies.

Actor in a Lead Role
Should Win: Daniel Day-Lewis
Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis
he has won every show prior to this and clearly deserves this for his volcanic, cosmic, terrifying, etc (cannot really describe in words) presentation of Daniel Plainview. He left me shaken after the film and justly deserves the award.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Should Win: No Country for Old Men
Will Win: No Country for Old Men
As, much as I loved There Will Be Blood....it was a rather poor adaptation of Oil! (not a bad thing as it has become one of my favorite films). The Coens Brothers have done a job marvelous making an already amazing read into a breathtaking film. The fact that I was still sitting at the edge of my seat, even after reading the source material, shows how fine of a job they did with this film.

Best Original Screenplay
Should Win: Juno
Will Win: Juno
I sadly only saw two of these films (the others are on my to watch list), but I feel that this is where Juno will get rewarded...similar to Little Miss Sunshine last year (a really awesome consolation prize if you ask me).

Director
Should Win: Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood)
Will Win: The Coen Brothers (No Country for Old Men)
Both (all for that matter) are fantastic films, but at the end of the day this seems to be destined with all the preshow buzz. Personally, I would love to see PTA win the award, but I feel that the film may have been a bit polarizing, which would lead some to blame the direction. The Coen Brothers have this award in the bag.

Best Picture
Should Win: There Will Be Blood
Will Win: No Country for Old Men
First...I want TWBB to win, but I do not believe it has a chance. I feel that TWBB is the finest American film to ahve come out since Mulholland Dr. (my #2 favorite film of all time)...but it is destined not to win for many reasons (did not make much money, very polarizing, very long and drawn out). This is not to say No Country does not deserve it, but it just did not have the lasting appeal of TWBB. I will not feel bad if No Country wins. The only other scenario I can see playing out is Juno or Atonement taking home the award because of "split vote" syndrome...and I would be very sad to see this happen, but in all honesty I cannot think of any reason why it should. No Country seems to be a universally loved (barring the controversial ending) film by both critics and the general populace. It has made a fair amount of revenue and has the finest cast in any film to come out in many years. In all it will be No Country for Old Men that takes home the best picture award on Oscar night.

So.....those are my predictions for the Oscars....none of which are to controversial, mainly due to the high caliber of nominated films tis year. Kudos to you academy; however, let me not a few snubs:

Zodiac (should have been nominated in all of the major categories, but came out to early in the year....sadly), Before the Devil knows You're Dead (director, supporting actor, actor-Hoffman), Rescue Dawn (actor-Bale), The Simpsons Movie (animation), There Will Be Blood (score!!!!, actor in supporting role- Dano), Sunshine (visual effects, sound editing), Enchanted (acting-Adams), Paprika (animation)


Sunday, February 17, 2008

Valentine's Day: Or How I Learned to Stop Loathing and Love the Day

So my first post will involve a holiday that for many is quite controversial, especially when one is left without another to share the supposedly "Hallmark Holiday" with (this includes myself). So although several days to late here are my thoughts on the holiday....as I would rather express my opinion now rather than have to wait another year.
From my observations there appears to be three types of people when it comes to the holiday: the enthusiasts, the neutral, and those that hate the holiday with their heart. I must admit that up until a few days prior to this past holiday, I was a firm member of the last category; however, for some odd reason...I switched to the enthusiast side of the force.
I began to realize that although the holiday is cheesy to a degree and does in fact make love into a commodity (but everything else already does, so that is not really too big of a problem), it is truly a magical day. I began to realize that although the emphasis is placed on the love one has for their significant other (thus spawning Single Awareness Day or SAD)....it is far more meaningful. The love on this holiday does not end with one's significant other but stretches out to one's family, friends, coworkers, countrymen, etc...until it is a love that encompasses the entirety of the world like the Blob sort of.
It is a day where one can put aside their fear, their hatred, their greed (unless they really, really love money I guess) and express their love for humanity. Sure there is evil out there, but sometimes one must embrace those around them and be joyful for simply being alive.
So there is my stance on all things related to Valentine's Day. Sure it can be cheesy, but in a world so full of hate and pain....maybe cheesy is what we need.

Ello Everyone!

So, top of the evening (or morning pending when one reads this)!
I am Damien and have begun this blog to put my thoughts into the concrete. I find that in order for one to have some resemblance of order, one must actually know one's own mind...something that I do not profess to be capable of doing at this point in my life. This of course is not a bad thing as it has led me here to the internet.
As a lover of film, music, literature, and people most postings made by myself will center around these topics; however, do not be surprised to find random musings (on life or on events). Well, I do hope those who actually read this forgive the typos (I am no Nabakov) and enjoy the random bits of random that may from this endeavor. So, with all this said I believe it is time to move onto my first true post.

Oh Note: I will randomly reference films or musical lyrics....just to give fair warning.