I haven't blogged in quite some time. The novelty and practicality of blogging do not coexist due to time constraints of parenting and working. However, the Oscars are less than a week away, and my loyal followers have demanded my opinion.
First, let me say I do not agree with the Academy's decision to nominate ten films for Best Picture. However, I do agree with many more of their nominations this year. Below is my list of the films I would have chosen for this category (ranked in order of preference just for those keeping score).
10. The King's Speech - I liked this movie, I really did. I just didn't love it. While no one will argue the three lead performances are anything less than stellar, I found the plot rather formulaic and predictable. I also probably have been swayed to rank this slightly lower than when I initially viewed the film because of the current love for the film.
9. True Grit - I saw this just a few weeks ago, and while it doesn't necessarily seem extremely Cohenish, it was a great western. The dialogue was superb (I want to read the novel). I particularly enjoyed newcomer Steinfield's performance, along with Damon's (he never gets the respect he deserves ... see The Informant, The Good Shepherd, and any Bourne film if you doubt his range). I actually enjoyed Daniel's interpretation of Cogburn more than I did of his Oscar winning role last year as a washed-up country singer.
8. The Kids are All Right - I wouldn't recommend this to either of my parents or my in-laws, but I would say that it is a must-see for anyone serious about great film. It is original, funny, and extremely heartfelt. It is the only romantic comedy I would truly want to see. While Bening has received most of the award show love, Moore and Ruffalo more than hold their own.
7. The Town - Once again, an action film doesn't get enough credit for being a great film. Affleck may be this generation's Eastwood. He actually can craft an immensely entertaining, provocative, well crafted film. His acting doesn't equal Renner's great performance though (or the city of Boston, which seemed to be a true character in the film). I do look forward to his next film.
6. The Fighter - I struggled with where to place this film. The acting ensemble is a true tour de force. Bale, Leo, and Adams transform themselves. Wahlberg, playing the exact opposite his character in The Departed, is the glue that holds the film together though. As much as I enjoyed the film, it just missed making my top five because I felt this story has been told in numerous sports films, and it just didn't separate itself from the cliches associated with them.
5. Inception - A film that lived up to the hype. I received the film as a gift, and haven't yet re-watched it. I am afraid it won't transfer to the small screen well, but I can't wait to rewatch it nonetheless. I'll admit I didn't follow it entirely, but it was fun (seeing it opening day to a sold out crowd made it even more merry). My biggest complaints are with Leo (who is starting to bore me) and the action packed finale (after the slo-mo scene in the hallway, no ending could wow me). In short, Nolan is a genius.
4. The Social Network - Yes this film defines a generation. Yes Sorkin's screenplay is witty and intelligent. Yes Fincher was able to take a movie about a website vastly entertaining. And yes, Timberlake is pretty good in it. It doesn't matter if you have a facebook account, or even know what facebook is, you should see this film.
3. Black Swan - Last year, this possibly could have been my number one pick. This year, the quality of films is much greater, so I have to place Aronofsky's indie-horror-pulp bonanza at number three. I paid over $65 to see this film in Charleston (thanks to a cab drive to the cinema) and I wasn't disappointed. That should tell you how good it was. Portman delivered, proving her performance in Closer was no fluke. The film, though, belongs to Aronofsky, whose fingerprint on the film is reminiscent of Scorsese's touches on his masterpieces from the 1970s.
2. Winter's Bone - This film deserves an entire blog entry dedicated to it. My affection for this film borders on adultery (ok, not really, but I do love it). I literally enjoyed every frame of this film. Jennifer Lawrence said more in an expression than Jesse Eisenberg said in three minutes of 100 mile per hour dialogue in The Social Network. The landscape, the locals, the story ... true art. Do yourself a favor and watch this film. If Shakespeare wrote a story about meth addiction in the Ozarks, it wouldn't have rivaled this.
1. The Ghost Writer - Yes, you are reading this correctly. My favorite film of the year didn't earn a single Golden Globe or Oscar nomination ... and I am not sure why it didn't. Both film critics for EW placed it in their top ten, as did Ebert. Maybe Polanski (at 76 nonetheless) has alienated enough of Hollywood with the turmoil surrounding his personal life this year (although it wasn't at issue with The Pianist earlier this decade), or possibly the film was released too early (even though that didn't hurt Silence of the Lambs). The point is, the Academy totally botched it. This film is visually beautiful, and the story is simply fascinating. McGregor and Brosnan are perfectly cast, and may have played the role of both of their lifetimes (sadly, Kim Cattrall is totally miscast). Kudos to bit parts by Eli Wallach and the always enjoyable (but oft ignored) Tom Wilkinson. The conclusion of the film left me speechless ... pure cinema perfection. Do your self a favor and go rent this (and for a great double-feature rent Winter's Bone for the perfect pre-Oscar prelude), or better yet buy it for repeated viewings.
So, here is my top ten. I'll try to blog my "If I picked the winners..." later this week.
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