Academy Awards 2013

If the last couple of months of excitement and unpredictability was any indication, Hollywood's biggest night might be less predictable than in years past.  Aside from the predictable parade of stars coming out in glamorous gowns and finest tuxes, it certainly was.  It's already season of extremes in the first place with youngest (Quvenzhane Wallis, 9) and oldest (Emanuelle Riva, 86) nominated performers, while leaving out champion directors (Ben Affleck, Kathryn Bigelow and Tom Hooper) whose movies are up for best picture. 

The 2013 Academy Awards carries a theme, music in films.  Instead of mocked-up movie montages, lengthy musical numbers opened the show shortly after Seth MacFarlane took the stage as host.  Less seasoned than veteran host Billy Crystal, MacFarlane jokingly said that hosting the Oscars this year was an honor bestowed on him as everybody else refused. William Shatner made an onscreen cameo as Captain Kirk, displaying fake Twitter posts from the next day on how MacFarlane fared as host. I must say that I missed the inventive montages, which typically have been far more fun. 

MacFarlane quickly took a jab at the Academy Award voters for snubbing directing nomination for Ben Affleck, stating that even though “Argo” was a great film, its director was unknown to the Academy.  Later in the show he remarked that the Oscars was just like a church, with people dressing up, only with more praying (for winning).  He poked fun at Tommy Lee-Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Day-Lewis, George Clooney, among others.  I didn't care for him in general; he came off as awkward and some of his jokes hit below the belt.

Halle Berry, a former Bond girl, introduced James Bond footage from different generations as a tribute for the 50^th anniversary.  Dame Shirley Bassey belted out the theme song from “Gold Finger.”  Adele sang “Skyfall” against a screen backdrop of colorful liquid and grabbed Best Original Song award. 

John Travolta, famous for his musical role in “Grease,” presented selected clips from some of the biggest musicals, capped with standing ovation-worthy singing performances from Jennifer Hudson and the cast of “Les Miserables.” “Les Miserables” claimed Best Sound Mixing award, while Best Sound Editing allowed a surprising tie between “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Skyfall.”

Barbra Streisand made a comeback with "The Way We Were" song, following in memoriam segment, flashbacks of those in the industry who passed away in the last year.

Behind-the-scene artists who dress and make up the stars split the awards between “Anna Karenina” (Best Costume Design) and “Les Miserables” (Best Makeup and Hairstyling).

"The Avengers” team, Robert Downey Jr., Samuel Jackson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, assembled and presented Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects awards to luminously imaginative “Life of Pi.”  No surprise here. The film also scored Best Original Score. And more significantly, Ang Lee surprisingly took home Best Director gold, beating frontrunner Steven Spielberg (Lincoln). 

On the writing side, Quentin Tarantino took home Best Original Screenplay for “Django Unchained" and made a rousing speech.  Amazing screenplay adaptation and excellent editing net Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing for "Argo."

Christoph Waltz (“Django Unchained”) bested Tommy Lee-Jones (“Lincoln”) as Best Supporting Actor.  He bowed and saluted the other nominated actors in the category.  Anne Hathaway predictably won Best Supporting Actress for her heartwrenching performance in “Les Miserables.” She singled out Hugh Jackman early in her speech and thanked him.  It's a long way for the former princess in “Princess Diary.”

Daniel Day-Lewis as a living, breathing Lincoln, virtually a lock-in for the top acting honor, easily nabbed Best Actor.  He became the first actor in history to have won the award three times in the leading actor category.  His victory speech was humble and hilarious, showing respect for the other actors nominated in the category and humor about wanting to see Meryl Streep, who presented him with the statue, play Lincoln.  The film also earned Best Production Design for its authentic 18th century production.  

Jennifer Lawrence took a tumble down on the way up to the stage accepting Best Actress award.  She recovered quickly and modestly said that people were rising to their feet simply because they took pity on her falling.  Her dramatically grown-up role in “Silver Lining Playbook” was a standout, a more deserving winner than the initially leading actress, Jessica Chastain (“Zero Dark Thirty”).

Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance via live feed.  Introduced by Jack Nicholson, the first lady took the spotlight with her commentaries on the nominated films and announced Best Motion Picture award.  Crowd-favorite “Argo” ultimately won the hearts of the Academy and claimed Best Motion Picture victory, a very fitting crown.  After being snubbed for directing nomination, Ben Affleck and his "Argo" continued racking up every major award during the awards circuit.  The tidal wave of accolades proved to be unstoppable.  Affleck made a spirited (bordering breathless) and gracious speech, acknowledging the other films nominated for the prestigious prize, everyone and everything associated with the film. 

And the winners are...

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Winner: Argo - Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck, George Clooney

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Winner: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook 

Best Achievement in Directing

Winner: Ang Lee for Life of Pi 

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Winner: Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Winner: Argo - Chris Terrio

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Winner: Skyfall - Adele, Paul Epworth("Skyfall")

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Winner: Life of Pi - Mychael Danna

Best Achievement in Production Design

Winner: Lincoln - Rick Carter, Jim Erickson

Best Achievement in Editing

Winner: Argo - William Goldenberg

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Misérables 

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Winner: Skyfall - Per Hallberg, Karen M. Baker and Zero Dark Thirty - Paul N.J. Ottosson

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Winner: Les Misérables - Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, Simon Hayes

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

Winner: Amour (Austria)

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Winner: Les Misérables - Lisa Westcott, Julie Dartnell

Best Achievement in Costume Design

Winner: Anna Karenina - Jacqueline Durran

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Winner: Life of Pi - Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik De Boer, Donald Elliott

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Winner: Life of Pi - Claudio Miranda

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

Winner: Brave - Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Winner: Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

For a complete list of winners, please check out the official website.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/academy-awards-2013/

"A Good Day to Die Hard"

Out.of.this.world stunts.  Driving, diving, chasing, crashing, exploding like there's no tomorrow.  It doesn't live up to its predecessor with a non-existent story and weak bad guy, but it's fun.  John McClane (Bruce Willis, "Red") and his estranged son, Jack (Jai Courtney, "Jack Reacher") really try to die hard in so many ways.  Fortunately for us, they continue to live and entertain.  They did a good job in casting Courtney. He's got the build and actually bears resemblance to Willis (much more so than Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "Looper.") And watching him play off Willis, he really could pass as his son. Tons of fun! 

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/abuozge

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/a34gr7o

"Side Effects"

I must admit I wasn't thrilled with Steven Soderberg's recent work, “Contagion” and “Haywire.” I preferred “Perfect Sense” as a story dealing with worldwide epidemic. And the sum of the actions in “Haywire” doesn't make up for the flat story. “Side Effects,” however, is different story. This medical mystery thriller has lingering effects, in a good way.

Emily (Rooney Mara, “The Social Network”) and Martin Taylor (Channing Tatum, “Haywire”) are just beginning to put their married lives back together. Martin has finally been released from four years in prison for insider trading. But Emily cannot seem to shake off the blues and continues to be depressed. She turns to Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law, “Sherlock Holmes”) and receives a prescription for her depression. Dr. Banks, whose wife lost a high-powered Wall Street job, takes on extra workload, including being a “consultant” for pharmaceutical firm. He offers his patients to participate in experimental studies in exchange for free meds.

At first the story appears to focus on Emily and her struggle in managing her depression on a daily basis, including suicidal tendencies. While the new pill she's popping appears to be working and makes her feel better, it also has adverse side effects, which includes sleepwalking. Her drug-induced sleepwalking proves to be dangerous and results in an unthinkable tragedy. Or is it? Mara is subtly brilliant in her portrayal of Emily. There's an eerie sense of innocence in her fragile frame and vulnerability. 

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that this is more of a story about Dr. Banks, who has to swallow a bitter pill when Emily is arrested, brought to trial, and sent to a psychiatric ward on court order. He tracks down her previous psychiatrist, Dr. Victoria Siebert, icily played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. He gets in touch with the people that Emily has been in contact with recently in order to understand what really happened. 

When Dr. Banks begins noticing signs and connects the dots, the fun starts. You may think you know what's going on, but you don't. It's twists-and-double crosses galore. But don't worry, everything will be answered and wrapped neatly in the end. Instead of a whodunit mystery, “Side Effects” is 'who's playing who.' Expect the unexpected and you'll enjoy this chilling ride.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-side-effects/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ah3j9wy

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/bel99ut

2013 Awards Season: Feature Film Highlights

Awards season is in full swing!  If you're behind, there's still time to catch up.  These are some of the films up for best picture or whose actors/actresses are nominated for their acting.  They're likely still playing at select theaters near you.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-highlights-2013-awards-season/

***

"Argo"
On November 4, 1979, an angry crowd storms the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, demanding return of its deposed leader.  Unbeknownst to the Iranians, six Americans are able to escape and end up holing up in the abode of the Canadian's ambassador.  An expert in "exfiltration" is brought in and leads the covert operation with an outlandish plan, pose the six Americans as Canadian film crew scouting an exotic location for a fake sci-fi movie and then depart from the airport.  Not only that the film is both intelligent and entertaining, it's riveting from start to finish.  Supremely-crafted script and storytelling.  Brisk pace, witty dialogue and suspenseful actions, with tonal balance between lighter humor and dour reality.  Authenticity with period costume and design, newsreels and footage from the era weaved into the story.  Human approach provides connection to the characters and care about their fate.  Solid, ensemble acting.  Based on a true historical story, "Argo" is stranger than fiction and it's an absolute feat.  Best film of 2012!  Check out the full review here.

"Lincoln"
Long, laborious... yet fascinating.  Irish-born and British actor Daniel Day-Lewis disappears and becomes a real, living, breathing Lincoln.  He truly captures the most beloved and storied American political figure, down  to the hunched posture, slight limp of gait, war-weary eyes, high-pitched voice, sunken cheeks and chin-strap beard. A skilled statesman and good man, Lincoln leads the country, divided by years of civil war and dark period of slavery.  He does what's necessary for the greater good - negotiating, persuading, cajoling, compromising, convincing, biding time, trading favors, bribing.  "Lincoln" is not a biography, but a window into the most historic time in the life of  the 16th President of the United States.  It's a revealing window of the backroom political deals that go into the process of the abolition of slavery and uniting of the nation, as well as Lincoln's own personal relationships with his family.  When it boils down to it, this is Day-Lewis' picture; he's perfection.  Check out the full review here.

"Life of Pi"
“You don't know the strength of your faith until it has been tested."  And tested it has.  One teen's survival, while sharing a lifeboat space with a bengal tiger in the vast emptiness of the sea, depends on his faith, belief, hope, spirit to go on, endurance, and at some point, acceptance of what is and letting go  The visuals and special effects are imaginatively exquisite.  Dreamlike imageries will linger in your mind. “Life of Pi,” filled by magical visuals, is an artistic achievement.  It's a fantasy fable, at the same time, somehow the story feels real and plausible.  It's a testament of its captivating storytelling and convincing acting.  When another story is revealed toward the end, the ending will let you choose which journey you'd like to believe.  Spiritual or realistic, or both - what you believe may possibly reveal more about yourself and your own belief.  Check out the full review here.

"Les Miserables"
The film tells a story about a man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's child, gets freed after 19 years, but breaks parole and continues to be on the run from a relentless inspector. He makes an honest and respectable life for himself after a kind gesture from a priest gives him a chance to turn his life around.  The man's run-in with a poor factory worker turned dying prostitute affects her life considerably, and he eventually becomes a protector of her daughter. The story extends through the years with the grown-up daughter experiencing her first love with a young man during the turbulent post-revolutionary times in France.  There are solitary, haunting scenes that will stay in your mind. A spectacular musical adaptation, one could only imagine the herculean efforts that go into this kind of undertaking.  With over 2.5 hours, it's overlong and may test one's patience, especially those who are not into Broadway shows or musicals, but it's definitely worth seeing.  Check out the full review here.

"The Impossible"
Over 230,000 lives lost in 14 countries.  Based on a true story, this is a survival story of one family during the 2004 tsunami.  Within moments of impact, the monstrous tidal waves engulf and steamroll everything and everyone in its path.  And the aftermath, unimaginable.  The wounded and the dead, and miles and miles of destruction and desolation.  The wrath of nature is re-created so masterfully that it feels like a documentary.  It shows how dangerous and frightening to get swept away among downed trees, power lines, cars, boats, sharp debris and anything in between could be.  "The Impossible" is a real tear-jerker.  It's impossibly gut-wrenching, and often times, difficult to watch.  At the same time, it's also uplifting and healing to see resilience, kindness and love of families and community coming together and helping one another.  Miracles do happen and this is an example of that.  Check out the full review here.

"Zero Dark Thirty"
A chronicle of a decade worth of intelligence efforts that ended with the death of Osama bin Laden on May 6, 2011. The film shows the controversial waterboarding, degradation and humiliation, but also analytical research and mundane briefings, meeting up with foreign sources and following up on leads, as well as bribery. "Zero Dark Thirty" is well-crafted, but it's very clinical.  It feels cold, but it has a real sense of unpredictability and danger, without any glorification or glamorization.  The final moment of bin Laden's life might have been met with a shot by a member of the SEAL Team Six, but a lot of blood, sweat and tears had been shed prior to the mission. It's a reminder of and insight into the extraordinary efforts that went into capturing and killing the world's number one terrorist. The greatest manhunt in history was no single shot. It also brings a somber sense of closure to 9/11, even when the war on terror never ends.  Check out the full review here.