When certain writers develop a trend it can either be a good or bad thing. Either way, it makes them appear as though they have a 'type.' Noah Baumbach, whose film credits include The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding, Kicking and Screaming (1995, not the terrible Will Ferrell one), and The Life Aquatic (as writer), seems to be one of those 'type' writers. His type? It seems to be self-destructive characters.
Self-destructive characters, for me, are some of the most interesting to watch. The characters make choices that I (almost) never would, yet I understand why they do, and know that for them, it's not a choice at all.
Three of his films will be used as examples. Though, all of them are great, but two of them have small idiosyncrasies that keep them from rising above just a 'movie.'
The Squid and the Whale is about a lot of things, but the core of the story is that a high school kid named Walt is dealing with his parents' divorce and the conflicting pressure they both put on him to read more, recite their opinions, and do what they want. Walt leans more towards hid dad's view, which is pessimistic, and Walt's younger brother Frank leans towards his mom's view, which seems optimistic. Now, watching the film, how do we judge which child is clinging to the right side? That is one great thing the film does, but also, look which side Walt, the protagonist, goes towards. Walt may have had a window to take the 'path of least resistance,' but with divorce and controlling parents it's hard to not pick a side. He chooses the negative, self-destructive side.
Margot at the Wedding is Noah Baumbach's best film to date. I admit, I haven't seen it in a while. I have been meaning to buy the DVD, but keep putting it off; so forgive my skimming on this movie. This film shows Margot going to her sister's wedding and how Margot, played perfectly by Nicole Kidman, gives us every negative emotion in the book. She just can't let things be, and has to have trouble in her life.
Kicking and Screaming, from 1995, is about a group of self-destructive characters who, at some point, realize they do need to get a grip on life. The film is about four friends who have just finished college and are in that state of limbo between hanging around campus all day and finding a career. This film is a comedy, but do not doubt the seriousness of how these characters throw away any instance of taking chances with their lives and resort to hitting on college freshman, even though they are 22. I guess one can't judge if that's something that happens on the side, but the characters in this movie substitute that for their future. It's eerie.
Yet all of these films barely miss the mark for me. The Squid and the Whale, while accurate and intelligent, seems to lack soul. Margot has soul, and is the best of the bunch, but I can't place what's off about it. I need to see it again. Kicking and Screaming, while very funny, does not resolve. Now, I do not need a resolution to be on screen--God, no. That would be insane. But I need a hint.
2.24.2009
Noah Baumbach: Almost Always Almost There
2.23.2009
MILK Acceptance Speeches
YouTube will take this video down soon, but if you missed it last night, here is Sean Penn's acceptance speech.
I'm posting this, as opposed to some other great speeches, because some people have been saying "Why even bring up the gay issues?" Well, it's not like Andrew Stanton won for WALL-E and is preaching about equal rights. Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black won for a film about equal rights, so it would almost seem inappropriate if they didn't mention them. There is clearly support for the winners, the film, and Harvey Milk himself, and there's nothing wrong with them acknowledging the message of their film.
I bring this up because Sean Penn said something so great in his speech (shocking as that may be):
"...for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight; and I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Poor grammar on Penn's account aside, that is a great point. And it's true. We do have to have equal rights for everyone.
Oscar Recap
Clocking in at just under three and a half hours, from Hugh Jackman's opening monologue to the Best Picture award, the Oscars failed to surprise. But is that a bad thing? Most certainly not. Except for some tiniest of tiny upsets, the winners were as they should have been. How was the actual show, itself? Let's just say that Jackman was an entertaining host, and Hollywood clearly cares more about their actors than anyone else.
Grabbing numerous prizes was the favored Slumdog Millionaire, which was, quite simply, the best film out of the nominees. It took home 8 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Danny Boyle), Adapted Screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), Score, Song, Editing, Sound Mixing, and Cinematography. The love was not shared this year, with Slumdog possessing what seemed like a monopoly on all categories, ranging from the 'Big Eight' to the 'Techies.'
Deservedly, Sean Penn won Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in MILK (which also won Original Screenplay). Kate Winslet took home her first Oscar--finally--for her performance in The Reader. The Reader, while an interesting movie, was not worthy of its Best Picture nomination. Kate Winslet winning was not unexpected and is nothing to dismiss, but she should have been nominated for Revolutionary Road, which was a superior film in every aspect.
Michael Shannon was nominated for a supporting role in Revolutionary Road, but the winner was Heath Ledger for his Joker. I think it's a safe assumption that he got no less than 90% of the votes--but we will never know for sure. Some may have been sympathy votes because he has passed, but his performance was the best of the bunch. His Oscar will be kept by Michelle Williams, his ex-fiance, until his daughter is 18. At that time, it will go to her. The Dark Knight ended up taking home two Oscars: Ledger's, and Sound Editing.
Penelope Cruz gained an Oscar for her role in 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona,' which received only a sliver of love from the Academy (not even a Screenplay nod for Woody Allen). Yet, the Academy never fails to embrace beautiful, exotic women. Cruz had this one in the bag from day one.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, lackluster as it was, still managed three Oscars in tech categories. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie both went home empty-handed, but I'm sure Brad Pitt's time will come soon. If not, as long as he lives until his 80s, he'll at least get an honorary Oscar.
WALL-E, while nominated for six Oscars and one of the year's best, was stuck with a win in only the Best Animated Feature category. It seems like Pixar can't get a break outside of that mold, no matter how good their films are.
As for myself, I got 21 out of 24 predictions correct, missing only Animated Short, Documentary Short, and Foreign Language film. We can all learn something from this: I should plug my predictions into contests instead of just posting them on my blog, and you should copy my predictions next year.
2.22.2009
Quick Oscar Recap
So I got 21/24 predictions right for the Oscars, which is 87.5%, which is amazing. Most people average about 14-16.
The only ones I missed were Animated Short, Documentary Short, and Foreign Film. Mostly because I hadn't seen any of them (except Presto), and Foreign Language film is always lame and goes with something out of the blue.
Hugh Jackman was a good host.
I wish I posted my predictions in some contests. I probably would have won some stuff. I think the one I did, it was an old prediction chart and it changed since then. Damnit.
Hopefully next year I do this well! If you're bored, check out my live blog below this, or the pre-show blabber below that. With sexy pics.
Oscar Live-blog (Sort Of)
When the shows starts, during commercials, I may or may not come back to edit. Does anyone actually read live blogs after-the-fact? Note: All times will be according to EST.
8:30 Aaaaaaaand, we're off!
8:35 Hugh Jackman's writers are pretty solid this year.
8:38 Opening dance number with all of the nominees: Pretty funny, too. Especially since it makes fun of no one seeing The Reader.
8:42 Love Meryl Streep, and also, not a bad montage of acceptance speeches.
8:48 I liked these intros at first, and they're interesting, but taking WAY too long (Sup. Actress).
8:49 YAY, Penelope Cruz! Great win, and I'm 1/1.
8:51 Great speech. No one is going to top Penelope. Love her. Especially since she thanked Woody Allen.
8:55 Tina Fey presenting the writing Oscar? Hot.
8:59 Dustin Lance Black for MILK, as expected. Good script, not better than WALL-E or In Bruges, though. Oh well, 2/2.
9:00 Good speech, Dustin. Why are they jumping to Adapted Screenplay already? To cut down runtime? Sure, why not.
9:03 The Slumdog clip gives me chills. Love it. Also, Simon Beaufoy, of course wins. Amazing screenplay. 3/3.
9:04 Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black? I'm going to hate whatever this is. Both of them suck. Looks like Animated Feature, though. Looooooooooove WALL-E.
9:09 Yay WALL-E! Though, Jen Aniston's attempt to say it like the character was just AWFUL. 4/4. Andrew Stanton owns.
9:11 Ugh, they're back. Animated Short: wtf is this movie that won. I'm not going to judge cause I didn't see it, but better than Presto? Doubt it. 4/5.
9:19 Art Direction. Uh oh, I'm nervous. Honestly, any of these could win.... 5 great nominees................ but Benjamin Button wins. Which means I win, at 5/6. Solid.
9:21 Stop stuttering, Daniel Craig. This must be costumes. Another strong category. The Duchess wins. God, I'm good. 6/7.
9:25 God, still on Daniel Craig and Sarah Jessica Parker? Shit. Well, now it's makeup. Again, a strong category. The Dark Knight should not win though. Which is true, because Benjamin Button won. I'm on fire! 7/8.
9:27 This kid who played Edward in Twilight looks like he's on drugs. Does he have ADD or what?
9:30 Best romance of 2008: Obviously WALL-E and EVE. I really want to watch Revolutionary Road again.
9:35 Ben Stiller is not funny. At all. Please, Natalie Portman, save us. Cinematography. Slumdog Millionaire wins! Yay! 8/9. And not just 'Yay' cause I'm dominating, but because the film totally deserved it.
9:40 GOD DAMN, Jessica Biel is hot.
9:45 James Franco in this comedy tribute, infinitely funnier than Seth Rogen.
9:48 Live Action Short... Janusz Kaminski, pretty hilarious. Uh, I predicted Toyland, but... Oh, ok, just kidding, that one did win. I rule? Yes, I rule. 9/10.
9:54 What is this musical? Good concept but it is failing pretty terribly. Hugh Jackman should quit singing, IMO.
10:05 Great Supporting Actor clip. Love it. Some really great winners over the years.
10:05 I'm already feeling the sadness that Heath Ledger isn't alive to see this.
10:09 Heath Ledger wins, naturally. 10/11. I don't think this was a sentimental win, in the sense of sympathy votes. It was honestly the best in the category.
10:14 Looks like Documentary categories coming up. Uh oh. I wish I had seen more of the nominees, honestly.
10:17 Bill Maher, not a great presenter. Plugging his own film. Sad. Oh well, Man on Wire won. Not shocking. 11/12.
10:19 Short films ruining my life. Let's see.... God damnit, missed this one, too. Why do these shorts always get me? 11/13.
10:27 Love Will Smith. Terrible jokes but he still delivers. Charisma. Yes.
10:29 Visual effects. Benjamin Button has this in the bag. Or it should. If not, something is F-ed..... Yeah, Benjamin Button won. 12/14. Good pick, AMPAS.
10:30 The sound awards are coming up, and I'm gonna falter here. Watch. I'm trying to beat the crowd on these.
10:32 OMG I love WALL-E. But I predicted The Dark Knight.... And The Dark Knight wins. 13/15. I rock?
10:33 Sound mixing, I have Slumdog. Another tough one. These are hard to judge. JUST KIDDING. I'm not sharing my formula on this one. I'm awesome. This is also an AMAZING win for such a great film, and it looks like Slumdog is unstoppable. 14/16.
10:36 Editing. What a great category. I think if I was in film and not a screenwriter, I'd like to be an editor. Slumdog Millionaire again, not surprisingly. Again, so deserved. 15/17. How many awards is Will Smith going to present?
10:38 I love how excited Danny Boyle looks for all of his crew winning. It's great.
10:43 Humanitarian award? Cool. Wake me up when it's over. Best part of this is the WALL-E score in the background. 'Define Dancing' is the best melody from WALL-E. Am I a nerd? Or a fanboy?
10:52 I love a good score for a movie. Shame all of these can't win. I wonder what they will play from Slumdog. Hopefully not O...Saya or Jai Ho (though they are both great). Hopefully Mausam & Escape, or Aaj Ki Raat. Yay, Define Dancing from WALL-E! Ok, Dreams on Fire from Slumdog. Not bad. Though it was only about 15 seconds. If that.
10:55 I love Alicia Keys. She should present every award. Mainly because she's great to look at.
10:56 YES! Slumdog Millionaire wins score! Fantastic. 16/18.
10:58 Original score. All three of these were fantastic. Who knows. YES! Performance! Please do Jai Ho dance!
10:59 Down to Earth is a great song. I'm sort of anticipating a win for it. Maybe an upset? Looks odd with the Hindi extras, though.
11:01 Jai Ho, not near as impressive without Dev Patel and Freida Pinto dancing. I'll go back to the CD. This mix of the songs is terrible, IMO.
11:03 Jai Ho! Winner! Love Slumdog Millionaire. 17/19.
11:07 Freida Pinto presenting! This show just got a lot better.
11:09 Foreign Language always has a surprise. I'm pretty sure I;ll be wrong. Yup. See, wtf? No one was predicting that, everyone was saying Waltz with Bashir, or The Class. Owned? Yes, I got owned. 17/20. Damnit Freida.
11:12 I hate Queen Latifah. GTFO. I'm all about remembering people, but GTFO of the stage. Oh God, she's singing now? Seriously?
11:20 Hate Reese Witherspoon. Learn to count. There are four awards left, and three people. Not one.
11:22 David Fincher looks pissed and bored. Probably because Danny Boyle cleans up this category easily. Well deserved. Love it. 18/21.
11:24 Great speech, Danny Boyle.
11:27 Wow, the 5 women presenting Best Actress are all amazing. Great ensemble. Is Shirley Maclaine wearing pants? Wow, Marion Cotillard is hot.
11:30 Kate Winslet, nominated for the wrong movie. Oh well. Sup, Halle Berry.
11:32 You know, if we cut out acting awards and all the praise for them, the show would be half as long. Again, entertaining, but let's just get to the award.
11:33 Kate Winslet proves if you get naked and play in a Holocaust film, you win. Not that she didn't deserve it. I love her. 19/22.
11:37 Kate Winslet is cute.
11:38 Best Actor: Infinitely more interesting. This clip is amazing. I'm going to miss this category.
11:39 Adrian Brody needs a haircut. No Daniel Day-Lewis?
11:45 YES! SEAN PENN! Thank God. Great victory. For me and Penn, obviously. 20/23. God, I'm so glad he won. So, so deserved.
11:48 Great speech Sean Penn. I guess it helps when you're not wasted (like last time).
11:50 Love these tributes. But how bad was Frost/Nixon?
11:51 Slumdog Millionaire: Best film of the year. The Reader--overrated.
11:54 Slumdog Millionaire Best Picture! Amazing. 21/24. I rule.
Great show. I'll update in a bit with more thoughts.
Some Pre-Oscar Blabber
First off, I know these won't happen, but they would be pretty sweet upsets:
Meryl Streep, or Anne Hathaway, for Lead Actress.
Amy Adams, or Marisa Tomei, for Supporting Actress (would make me happy).
Martin McDonagh for Original Screenplay (In Bruges). Or, WALL-E.
WALL-E for Score.
With that said, Yahoo! has started posting arrival photos, and here are some good ones.
Freida Pinto is the winner, for sure.
Tim Gunn is hosting the Red Carpet? Amazing!
Josh Brolin and Diane Lane, who is the hottest 45 year-old woman on the planet.
Meryl Streep, always the best. Out of focus: her hot daughter. She's to the left in the background. I'll try to find a better picture.
If Freida Pinto is the winner, Penelope Cruz is runner-up. Gorgeous.
Penelope Cruz and Marion Cotillard. "Which one do you want?" "Well, I've always had a thing for French girls...." "Good, cause I'll take anything."
I'll update more later.
2.21.2009
Bump: Oscar Predictions
The Oscars are tomorrow, and as such, I'm re-posting my predictions. The full list is here, with some explanations. This year I'm playing it fairly safe. Next year I may play a bit riskier, but I think this will be a Year of the General Consensus.
Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Director: Danny Boyle
Actor: Sean Penn
Actress: Kate Winslet
Sup. Actor: Heath Ledger
Sup. Actress: Penelope Cruz
Original Screenplay: Milk
Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire
Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Art Direction: Benjamin Button
Original Score: A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire
Original Song: Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire
Animated Feature: WALL-E
Foreign Language Film: Waltz with Bashir
Sound Editing: The Dark Knight
Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire
Costumes: The Duchess
Doc. Feature: Man on Wire
Visual Effects: Benjamin Button
Makeup: Benjamin Button
Live Short: Spielzeugland
Doc. Short: The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306
Animated Short: Presto
Last year I got 15 out of 24, which is embarrassing. This year I'll be surprised if I hit less than 18. Very surprised. We'll see!
2.20.2009
I <3 Freida Pinto
A sweet video on youtube of Dev Patel and Freida Pinto on Tyra showing her one of their dance moves from the closing credits of Slumdog Millionaire.
Could she be any better? 'She' means 'Freida,' obviously. Tyra has long since jumped the couch. And the answer is: no.
2.18.2009
FURIOUS!
Tonight's episode of Top Chef has to have been the WORST episode of reality TV EVER. I've never been more mad at a TV show....
First off, they had the quickfire for one of the last 3 eliminated chefs to come back, which was amazing, because I really liked Jeff. And he won! Awesome! He got a chance to compete in the elimination challenge, but he had to win it to move on.
So we had the elimination challenge, and fucking Carla won? I hate Carla, so much. She's so weird and ugly and boring and hippy-ish. And not a good weird, like Andrew from last season, but just a creepy weird. Now, she had two fantastic dishes, but they were required to make a cocktail. She mad a spritzer with no alcohol. It was just a mix of two drinks that can be bought for a dollar at Wal Mart. Cranberry was one, I think. My six year-old niece can make (and drink) that. Big fuckin' deal. Jeff made, unanimously, the best cocktail of the night. The judges even said so. It was delicious and innovative (cucumber flavored cocktail? A+). PLUS he had two great dishes. And he got SECOND?! I'm sorry, but that is bullshit. So, he had to go home, so I had to watch him get kicked off twice.
And then Fabio got sent home. Fabio is possibly the greatest reality TV contestant of all time. His Italian accent is hilarious, and the way he jumbles common American phrases is so great. Plus he's a great chef, and one of the remaining few who isn't a douche bag. Well, not anymore. Instead, Stefan, who is just a prick and has sucked horribly the last few challenges, gets to stay.
The only good part of the episode was Gail returning, but she sent my two peeps home, so maybe the new judge Toby needs to come back. Fuck. I hate all of the final 3.
Top Chef ruining my life.
Posts
