Picture

WILL WIN-The King's Speech

SHOULD WIN-The Social Network

UPSET-The Fighter

Actor

WILL WIN-Colin Firth

SHOULD WIN-James Franco

UPSET-Anyone besides Firth

Actress

WILL WIN-Natalie Portman

SHOULD WIN-Natalie Portman/Annette Bening

Hey, a tie has happend in the past, why not this year!?

UPSET-Michelle Williams

Supporting Actor

WILL WIN-Christian Bale

SHOULD WIN-Christian Bale

UPSET-Geoffrey Rush

Supporting Actress

WILL WIN-Melissa Leo

SHOULD WIN-Melissa Leo

UPSET-Hailee Steinfeld

Other Categories

Best Director

WILL WIN-David Fincher

SHOULD WIN-David Fincher

Adapted Screenplay

WILL WIN-The Social Network

SHOULD WIN-The Social Network

Original Screenplay

WILL WIN-The King's Speech

SHOULD WIN-The Kids Are All Right

Animated Feature

WILL WIN-Toy Story 3

SHOULD WIN-Toy Story 3

127 Hours****

The stories you may have heard of audience members fainting, gasping for air and covering their eyes with popcorn buckets and Sour Patch Kids while watching 127 Hours are all true.

It was hard to imagine how director, Danny Boyle, would follow up the Oscar winning Slumdog Millonaire. 127 Hours was not the film I expected him to take hold of, but I'm happy he did!

127 Hours, follows the true story of mountain climber Aaron Ralston (James Franco) as he takes on the isolated canyons of Canyonlands National Park. Aaron is fearless, adventurous and somewhat irresponsible in his quest to accomplish the peaks and creavouses of some very tough terrain.

At the start of his journey, Aaron meets two young lovely ladies named Megan (Amber Tamblyn) and Kristi (Kate Mara). He instantly becomes drawn to showing the girls some hidden gems of the canyons. The friendship is quick and the goodbyes are quicker as Aaron moves on, deeper into the depths of the canoyons.

During one of Aaron's descents, a boulder falls ever so precisely and crushes his arm up against one of the canyon walls. Over the course of the next five days we witness Aaron, as he tries to survive and attempt to free himself from the boulder. I'm not ruining the movie by saying that yes, Aaron survives, but only after he decapitates his own arm. So the part about covering your eyes, it will happen and probably more than once.

What could have easily been a boring film about a mountain climber who get's stuck in a canyon and cuts his arm off, which initially it is, is so much more because of Boyle's directing style. It's quick, it's interesting and his camera work is eye catching. What helps make this movie flow and keep the audiences attention, is the hallucinations that Aaron has throughout the film while he is stuck. Aaron thinks about his childhood, future and being rescued. However, as much as the hallucinations helped the film, they started to get monotonous. The suspense of Aaron cutting his arm off and the constant hallucinations, became frustrating to say the least.

Now, let's talk about James Franco. What can't this man do?! James is perfection as a mountain climber with fearless aspirations. Remember, for more then two-thirds of this film, James is alone, with little dialog. Very similar to Tom Hanks in Castaway, another Oscar nominated performance. James delivers the fear, frustration and delusion in a way that we can only imagine the real Aaron was feeling during the traumatic experience.

127 Hours is nominated for six Oscars, all of them very well deserved. James is definitely a best actor contender and A.R. Rahman should be highly considered for best score. His music works so well with this film and helps tell a story without words. A.R. Rahman accomplished this same feat with his Oscar winning score and song for Slumdog Millionaire.

I would think that 127 Hours would be one of the top two films in the adapted screenplay category. I read the book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" which the film is based on and the film follows the book almost verbatim. Even the real Aaron said the film is almost a documentary of his experience. It would be great to say that this film has a chance at best picture, but unfortunately for me there isn't much of an ensemble cast, if any. I'm not sure if I could watch the film a second time, also a negative when it comes to best picture.

My only suggestion if you watch this film, take some deep breaths, expect the worst and think of it as sort of getting a shot in the arm. Once the gory parts are over you realize that, well, yes it is a phenomenal story, but you're happy it wasn't you.

The Kids Are All Right*****

Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, together, have seven Oscar nominations, but take into account that they were nominations, not wins. The Kids Are All Right has not only the most previously Oscar nominated talent, but also a good chance at finally bringing home some gold for at least one of its stars.

In The Kids Are All Right, Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) are a lesbian couple that both have a child using the same anonymous sperm donor. The children, named Laser (Josh Hutcherson) and Joni (Mia Waikowska), who are now in their teenage years, become eager to search for their biological father.

When the kids find their father, Paul (Mark Ruffalo), their first meeting goes well. The twist comes when the kids decide to keep this meeting from their mothers, and continue to create a relationship with Paul. A few humorous scenes later, Laser accidentally reveals the truth about what they have been hiding from their moms.

Jules and Nic agree to meet Paul and hopefully build a relationship with their children's father. The emotional roller coaster that becomes the life of this once-happy family becomes heart-wrenching as well as stressful.

As I mentioned, Julianne and Annette have never won an Oscar, and unfortunately at the end of the night, one will still be Oscarless. It looks like Julianne will come that much closer to being the Susan Lucci of the Academy Awards. Both women were strong in their roles, but Annette has the heavier material as well as a more powerful delivery in the emotional scenes. Her shining moment is during the dinner scene toward the end of the movie where Annette delivers an outstanding silent performance. Her demeanor and facial expressions are classic Annette, and my bet is that this could be her Oscar moment.

Julianne has become an Oscar darling, with the majority of her nominations coming from playing roles of 1950's housewives. In The Kids Are All Right she is also a housewife, but a modern day one to say the least. We might have to hold our breath a little longer to hear Julianne's name on Oscar nomination day, but I think she has good chance at becoming a five-time Oscar nominee.

In addition, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hutherson, and Mia Waikowska are marvelous in their respective roles. Mark plays the biological father with a bit of confusion and grace that works well when trying to find his spot in a very modern family.

The Kids Are All Right will definitely walk away with multiple nominations: best picture, two for supporting actress, as well as original screenplay. I think what is exemplified in this film is the same effect Little Miss Sunshine had in 2006 and Juno in 2008. These films are all such crowd pleasers. They give you a little more than you expected, and will keep you talking about them for months.

The Social Network*****

I remember when Facebook was strictly available for college students only. I remember when there was no way to upload photos and put them into an album. I also remember when I logged on once a week and maybe had a single new friend notification. You would think that was decades ago, but it was only five. 619 friends and a blockbuster film later, Facebook is no longer my dorm room activity, but a movie about the changing of societal paradigms of a new generation.

The Social Network begins in 2003 when Harvard undergrad Mark Zuckerberg (Jessie Eisenberg) is at his computer creating a website that rates the attractiveness of females on the Harvard campus. He was then sentenced to six months of academic probation for his exploiting website. However, there was one positive thing that came of his indescretion. The fact that Mark was able to create such a remarkable site in hours caught the attention of twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer) become interested in Mark's skills and wanted him to be a part of their business scheme to create a social network for Harvard students.

The events that follow and the chaotic twists and turns that involve Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), take The Social Network from just a Facebook movie into a movie with enough suspense, drama, and legal complications that fictional films could only hope to accomplish.

Giving you a complete rundown of all the entanglements Mr. Zuckerberg faces would not only spoil this amazing film, but would confuse you more then the movie actually does when viewing it. The film is presented in a way that shows Mark testifying in two lawsuits, and the director, David Fincher, creates a film that allows the viewers to really get involved in the legalities of what happened in the conception of a website that now has more than 500 million friends.

Jessie Eisenberg is an extremely talented actor. From the moment he hits the screen as Zuckerberg, you can't help but notice the resemblance between the two. The frustration he showcases throughout the film, as well as his confusion surrounding whether or not to trust the people who are quickly brought into his business venture, are award worthy in every way.

Armie Hammer has the great pleasure of playing twins. One actor, two roles, a task that would be somewhat easy if the charters were fictional. However, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss are real people, and Hammer brings both brothers a sense of individuality, while making sure that the audience is able to differentiate the two.

Justin Timberlake is surprisingly acceptable as Sean Parker, and we finally see Timberlake portray a character that is beyond his musician persona. He was a great fit for the film, and perfect in bringing out the arrogance and trouble that Parker endowed.

I haven't mentioned Andrew Garfield yet in my review, not because he wasn't memorable, only because writing a movie review I pick and choose what is important in my synopsis. Garfield plays Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg's best friend, although as the movie progresses the friendship slowly deteriorates. The emotion you feel for Eduardo toward the end of the movie is well acted by Garfield, and, in my opinion, the underdog of this film.

You can definitely expect a nomination for Eisenberg, and if he wasn't a "newcomer" I would put his odds pretty high in winning. Hammer should get nominated for his dual performance, but preseason award shows haven't shown him much love. Timberlake is getting a similiar reception. The film will be the front-runner for best picture along with director David Fincher. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Andrew Garfield deserves a nod in the supporting category too, but unfortunately I don't see three actors from this film getting recognized in the same category. We can keep our fingers crossed for one at least.

THE KING'S SPEECH*****

Last year we had The Young Victoria, this year we have The King's Speech; both were great movies about royalty with phenomenal acting. However, where The Young Victoria lacked, The King's Speech delivered.

King George VI (Colin Firth), also known as Bertie, is crowned King of England after his father passes away and his older brother abdicates the throne. Bertie is reluctant to take over the position because of a frustrating and embarrassing speech impediment.

Bertie's wife, the Queen of England (Helena Bonham Carter) meets with a speech therapist named Lionel(Geoffery Rush) to help her husband overcome his issue with speaking in public.

Bertie and Lionel create a love/hate relationship throughout the move, allowing the audience to follow a friendship form from frustration into an empowering achievement.

What makes The King's Speech such a remarkable movie is the acting. Colin Firth is yet again extraordinary. Last year he was nominated for his role in A Single Man, a role many said was his best yet. Now, a year later, he has achieved the impossible; another once-in-a-lifetime performance. The way he delivers such a vulnerable side of King George VI and the effortless speech impediment is what Oscar winners are made of.

Geoffrey Rush is great as always in his role as the therapist. Watching the Firth and Rush on screen together is a wonderful moving-going experience. They create a powerful duo that you can't take your eyes off of. While I don't want to give the ending away, watching these two in the final scenes of the movie is gratifying emotional connection. It is a moment that truly captures the journey both men have been on together.

Helena Bonham Carter plays the Duchess very well. It's interesting to see her play a more serious, stripped down character. Earlier in the year she was the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland in stark contrast to her role as the Queen of England in The King's Speech. She played both roles fantastically, achieving fiction and real life with perfection; only Helena could pull it off.

Look for The King's Speech to get a slew of Oscar Nominations, if not the most out of any movie this year. Firth is the front runner to win best actor, and Bonham Carter, along with Rush, will definitely receive nominations in their respected categories. If any movie gives The Social Network any competition for Best Picture, The King's Speech will be it!

THE FIGHTER****

Historically Oscar's follow boxing movies and this years no exception. The Champ (31'), Rocky (76'), Raging Bull (80'), Ali (01'), and Million Dollar Baby (04') are just a few of the boxing movies that seemed to infatuate an audience and mesmerize the Oscar voters. Note to self: To win an Oscar, act or write a boxing movie.

It sounds easier said then done. However, with the recent success of boxing movies and the odds of winning an Oscar, let alone a plethora of nominations, it looks like The Fighter is another notch on Oscar's bedpost.

Of the group of boxing movies released in the last decade The Fighter definitely stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Set in the early 90's in Lowell, Massachusetts, The Fighter follows the relationship of brothers Mickey Ward (Mark Walhberg) and Dick "Dicky" Eklund(Christian Bale). Mickey is a successful boxer on the road to competing in his first world title and Dicky is a past successful boxer who is now training Mickey.

The film follows Mickey's struggles to be trained by his brother who is a drug addict and irresponsible to say the least. Also, their mother Alice (Melissa Leo), doesn't help the chaotic situation by trying to get Mickey on the right track to being the next big thing to come out of Lowell.

Mickey meets Charlene (Amy Adams), and his infatuation with her as well as his ability to separate himself from his family only causes more problems for what becomes of a very dysfunctional family.

The movie has Oscar written all over it. Though overall I wouldn't name it the best of the year, in the acting categories look for The Fighter to capture some well deserved nominations. First and foremost Melissa Leo is spot on as Alice. From the moment I fell in love with her in 2009's Frozen River (which she was nominated for), I couldn't take my eyes off her during this movie. For me, she made The Fighter a contender at this years awards. She transforms herself with ease into a dedicated, chain smoking, and loose-mouthed mother.

Christain Bale is phenomenal as Dicky. The weight loss makes him almost unrecognizable, and his ability to take the audience into his drug addiction with such vulnerability is something only a great actor can do. His performance definitely outshines Mark Walberg's, which is not an easy thing to do. Though his performance was good in this movie, to say it was great would be overstatement. I'm sure he'll walk away with a nomination in the best actor category, though what should have been Mark's movie ended up becoming Christian's.

Amy Adams is surprisingly proficient as Mickey's love interest. I've never been the biggest fan of Amy's movie choices, but the way she plays Charlene will definitely become a highlight of her career. She play's the role in a very Tonya Harding-like resemblance, even down to the god-awful 90's permed hair.

If The Fighter can keep its momentum for the next month, it has a great chance at being tough competition in the best picture category. Like I said, it's not the best film of the year, but definitely has one of the best ensembles.

OSCAR'S 2011!

Well, it's that time of year again and I'm ready more then ever to start sharing my Oscar reviews with all of you! It seems like I'm a little ahead of the game this year compared to years past. I have already seen a good amount of potential Oscar nominated movies and can't wait to see many more!

The nominations are not announced until January 25th, but with the Golden Globe and SAG nominations already out, it gives us a good idea of what movies will eventually get Oscar nominations.

I will do my best to keep this blog updated as soon as I see a potential Oscar contender! Like years past, this blog is not here to detail every twist and turn in the movie, I may even forget to mention some pivotal moments. This is a blog about my opinions about great Oscar movies and will hopefully help readers decide what films to see before the big night!

Let's get started!

The Oscars air February 27th on ABC this year.

AN EDUCATION*****

Every so often little movies, with unknown actors come along. They are hard to find in theaters and it takes courage and extra time to make the effort to see the film. An Education is this year’s hidden gem and Carrie Mulligan is the breakout star.

Set in England in 1961, the story follows a bright, beautiful and smart girl named Jenny (Carrie Mulligan). Jenny is the all-around academic scholar hoping to advance to University at Oxford. Until one day, while standing in the rain waiting for a bus, Jenny is approached by an older gentleman asking her if she needed a lift. What starts out as a quick ride down the block talking about music, turns into trips to jazz clubs, Paris and dog races.

A romance is ignited in a lovely adventure way, not creepy as you may assume. Jenny’s parents are middle class and want nothing but the best for their daughter and in doing so, are protective of her. However, when a man is willing to “watch over” Jenny and take her wonderful places, he creates a bond with her parents. His fabricated stories and lies work well in pursuing Jenny’s father that she is safe under his guidance. All of this may seem a tad unrealistic at times, but in the 1960’s when women were only looking to graduate so they could get married, parents were more concerned about who would take care of their daughters and not so much how their daughters would ever take care of themselves.

In a scene where Jenny and her teacher get into an argument about Jenny’s relationship with an older man, Jenny says, “If we are going to die the moment we graduate, isn’t it what we do before what counts? Jenny then confronts her parents about getting married instead of going to Oxford. It’s a startling scene that is the movies best moment. Her father dismisses her need for an education and the assumption that reading and writing are not necessary for Jenny to succeed is saddening and you begin to hope Jenny realizes this.

I was curious why the movie was called, An Education for the first half of the film. Was it about a curriculum? As the movie progresses, you realize that it’s an education on life, Jenny’s life. It is an education on travels and art and expensive taste. The education Jenny learns isn’t from the classroom, but from her mistakes and missed opportunities.

Like I said from the start, Carrie Mulligan is phenomenal as Jenny. The beauty, the sweetness and pure joy Carrie brings to this character is the best I have seen from any actress this year. Carrie plays an adolescent with such comfort and ease, there is never any awkwardness in her relationship with a much older man.

Peter Sarsgaard who plays David the older man opposite Mulligan also does an outstanding job. He creates a character that doesn't come across a pedophile, but a man finding love in the a girl looking to explore life.

A Oscar nomination for Mulligan is a definite and I can only hope that the film gets one of the 10 spots for best picture. What we have here is a film that keeps our attention from start to finish not by lavish costumes, sets or effects, but by a story of love, wisdom, experience and the adventure to finding out what matters the most in ones life.

INGLORIOUS BASTARDS****1/2

Watching a Quentin Tarantino film is like trying to figure out a strategic math problem. You look at it with uncertainty, go through the steps, think you have it figured out than to only realize you were all wrong….so you start over. Like any of Tarantino’s films, digesting the greatness of Inglorious Bastards is a process.

The movie begins in German-occupied France in 1941. SS Colonel Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz) arrives at the home of French dairy farmer Perrier LaPadite (Denis Menochet). In the phenomenal opening sequence, Hans tries to get Perrier to admit he is hiding the Jewish Dreyfus family. After interigation from Hans, Perrier breaks down and admits the hiding of the Dreyfus’s. Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Hans and narrowly escapes.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in killing German servicemen. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad is on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich.

How the stories unfold and how the paths of Aldo and Hans intertwine is pure Tarantino and an extremely intense experience, but would you expect anything less? Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent, Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) as the story of the bastards start to cross paths with Colonel Hans. The fun in watching Inglorious Bastards or any Tarantino film for that matter, is not knowing what the hell will happen next. So with that said, I’m going to stop my synopsis of the film here.

I will say the first twenty minutes of the film were perfection, the next twenty were more confusing, after that the next twenty were entertaining and so on and so forth. However, when the climax of the story started to unravel, I was sitting at the edge of my couch completely enthralled by the conclusion.

Brad Pitt was good in this movie. Unfortunately, that’s all I can say for him because of what a remarkable supporting cast that carried this film. First and foremost, Christopher Waltz was phenomenal as Hans. His demeanor, chilling dialog and realism were everything an Oscar winning performance is made of. Bridget Von Hammersmark was stunning as the German actress. Meanwhile, Melanie Laurent executes the role of a scared young Jewish girl at the beginning of the film perfectly, then grows into a dominating woman at the end, creating an Oscar worthy performance.

I won’t lie, I’m not a Tarantino freak. I couldn’t carry a conversation about Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill’s have since passed my mind. I will say that they were all great films. Inglorious Bastards deserves it’s position at the top of the list alongside those classics. Watch the movie once, sit on it for a couple days and watch it again, that’s what I plan on doing now.

THE YOUNG VICTORIA****1/2

Period pieces have never been much of my forte. I enjoyed The Queen and even Elizabeth (mostly because of Cate Blanchett). I wouldn’t call myself an Anglophile, but I’m always game for a Royal history lesson.

Emily Blunt stars as the young Victoria as we follow the early years of the monarch of Queen Victoria. Her uncle, King William (Jim Broadbent), is dying and Victoria is in line for the throne. We witness the royal power struggles she faces and the battling relationship with her mother.

Victoria lives in a very sheltered world. Her mother must hold her hand as she walks down the stairs and has no connection with friends outside the castle. This is all happening to a girl who is not yet 18. Victoria wants love, wants friendships and most of all, fun. King Leopold of Belgium (Thomas Kretschmann) hopes to marry her to his son, Albert (Rupert Friend). Albert has no interest for being used as a pawn. He is sent to meet with Victoria after being educated in her likes and dislikes. During a game of chess with Victoria, she realizes he's been coached about her tastes. When she calls him on it, he admits it. This begins the young love story, which eventually leads to marriage.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this film. I expected the usual prim and proper approach as stuffy and tight as Victoria’s corset. However, from the opening scene, I was loosened and relaxed at the humor and lightness being portrayed.

As we have seen in the past, many actresses gain much notice and accolades for taking on the role of a Queen (Helen Mirren and Cate Blanchett). Emily Blunt deserves great acknowledgement too. Her portrayal of Victoria is strong, demanding and humorous. The role is perfectly executed. Youget the sense of sadness and determination at times when you know Victoria just wants to breaks down the gates and run.

Rupert Friend is also wonderful as Prince Albert. Watching his frustration with the people around him wanting him to create a romance with Victoria and then realizing he is truly falling for her, is done with sincerity and truthfulness. Miranda Richardson as Princess Victoria, Dutchess of Kent and Harriet Walter as Queen Adelaide also have standout performances, that unfortunately will get overlooked come Oscar time.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the glamour of a period piece. The costumes, the locations, and the cinematography. Sometimes all of those spectacles can sugar coat how good a period piece can be. The Young Victoria is one of my favorite films of the years. It was interesting, well directed, a great ensemble cast and moved at a wonderful pace. Emily Blunt deserves an Oscar nod, but unfortunately the limited viewing audience could hurt her chances of a win. I'm sure though, that this young in her career, like Victoria, Emily has a long reign of Oscar nominations ahead of her!