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Tuesday, February 26, 2013
2013 Oscars: Game Film Review
Not a bad bit o' prognosticatin' Sunday night, if I do say so myself.
By the time the dust settled at the the Dolby Theatre, I'd gone 17 for 24 on this year's Oscar picks. That's 70 percent, which is a C if you're a public-school student, but like an A- by the standard of the Academy Awards Scantron sheet.
My shots touched nothing but net in all of the major categories, but rattled the rim anywhere I had no choice but to guess based on the film title (Best Documentary Short, etc.) or default to "Life of Pi" in technical categories. I also bounced one off the backboard when casting my vote based on personal preference as opposed to likelihood of success. I had "Flight" for Best Original Screenplay, and while Quentin Tarantino is my own Generation X's quintessential (Quentin-ssential, perhaps?) film auteur, "Django Unchained" felt too comfortably within QT's wheelhouse to take the honor away from the taut, thrilling, brutally truthful, watch-through-your-fingers-with-hands-over-your-face "Flight."
Here's the full rundown on my swishes and bricks:
BEST PICTURE: "Argo" SWISH!
BEST ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln" SWISH!
BEST ACTRESS: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook" SWISH!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained" SWISH!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables" SWISH!
BEST DIRECTOR: Ang Lee, "Life of Pi" SWISH!
ANIMATED FEATURE: "Brave" SWISH!
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Claudio Miranda, "Life of Pi" SWISH!
Was "Argo" really the best of what Hollywood had to offer? Granted I'd only seen three of the nominated Best Picture films, and the movie itself wasn't half bad, but overall I found it to be bleh (watched it last night). I appreciated the brief (somewhat altered) lesson in 20th century history but that's about it. Hmph.
Thanks for the comment, nat.waz. I would contend that, yes, "Argo" was the "best" judged in terms of the tightness of its writing, directing and pacing, and the overall watchability of the film in its perfect balance of zingy-yet-deadly-serious material. It was a film smart people and dumb people could enjoy equally, and I think that's a movie miracle every time someone pulls it off. In my own private world, I would've had "Beasts of the Southern Wild" triumph, as the most original entry in the BP category. But I acknowledge that I'm drawn to the small and quirky. "Argo" was not only a near-perfect film, but it was also accessible to a mass audience. Which film (nominated or not this year) would you have had win BP?
Good point on being accessible to all. And I did enjoy it, I did, but I was kinda left wanting more. Actually, I also had the same feeling about "Django." I guess I expected something more with all the hype. Regardless, kudos to Ben A. - I like him a lot. "The Town" is a person favorite.
Let me watch a few other BP nominees and get back to you. "Amour" is next, though I am intrigued by this "Beasts of Southern WIld" now.
Do you like how I am doing my Oscar film research post-Oscars? LOL.
Hey, better late than never, nat.waz. Without retrospect and revisionist history, films like "Fight Club," "The Big Lebowski" and "The Shawshank Redemption" would never have found their initially elusive audience and gone on to be considered among the greats of the '90s.
Was "Argo" really the best of what Hollywood had to offer? Granted I'd only seen three of the nominated Best Picture films, and the movie itself wasn't half bad, but overall I found it to be bleh (watched it last night). I appreciated the brief (somewhat altered) lesson in 20th century history but that's about it. Hmph.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, nat.waz. I would contend that, yes, "Argo" was the "best" judged in terms of the tightness of its writing, directing and pacing, and the overall watchability of the film in its perfect balance of zingy-yet-deadly-serious material. It was a film smart people and dumb people could enjoy equally, and I think that's a movie miracle every time someone pulls it off. In my own private world, I would've had "Beasts of the Southern Wild" triumph, as the most original entry in the BP category. But I acknowledge that I'm drawn to the small and quirky. "Argo" was not only a near-perfect film, but it was also accessible to a mass audience. Which film (nominated or not this year) would you have had win BP?
ReplyDeleteGood point on being accessible to all. And I did enjoy it, I did, but I was kinda left wanting more. Actually, I also had the same feeling about "Django." I guess I expected something more with all the hype. Regardless, kudos to Ben A. - I like him a lot. "The Town" is a person favorite.
ReplyDeleteLet me watch a few other BP nominees and get back to you. "Amour" is next, though I am intrigued by this "Beasts of Southern WIld" now.
Do you like how I am doing my Oscar film research post-Oscars? LOL.
*personal favorite
DeleteHey, better late than never, nat.waz. Without retrospect and revisionist history, films like "Fight Club," "The Big Lebowski" and "The Shawshank Redemption" would never have found their initially elusive audience and gone on to be considered among the greats of the '90s.
Delete