Thursday, December 15, 2011

Golden Globe Nominations - OakStreet Thoughts

I didn't have time last night to post my predictions, but here are my thoughts on this morning's announcement of the Golden Globe nominatios.


BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
The Descendants
The Help
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
War Horse

--- For me, this is a good line up (didn't see War Horse yet), but it's missing two MAJOR films: The Tree of Life and Drive. I could honestly do without all of these movies except Hugo, the one I'm rooting for.


BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY
50/50
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Midnight in Paris
My Week With Marilyn

--- Considering what was nominated in this category last year (Burlesque, Alice in Wonderland, The Tourist, and Red - plus the winner and well-deserved The Kids Are All Right), this is a nice group of films. I'm very excited for Midnight, but I think Bridesmaids is going to take home the Globe. My only problem is that I saw Marilyn last week and had no idea it was comedic nor musical enough to be listed in thie category... Who's been pushing the campaign out there on the west coast???


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA
Glenn Close in ALBERT NOBBS
Viola Davis in THE HELP
Rooney Mara in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Meryl Streep in THE IRON LADY
Tilda Swinton in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

--- I like... Haven't seen Dragon Tattoo or The Iron Lady yet, but I'm loving that people are finally on board with Swinton after two years of being missed horribly by awards for her performances in 2009's Julia and 2010's I Am Love. Good thing Marilyn is considered Comedy/Musical; Mara definitely slipped in here due to Michelle William's nomination in the other category. For me, I'm 100% hoping Glenn Close takes this home for her gripping and subtle portrayal of a woman pretending to be a man in an over-criticized period drama.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE
George Clooney in THE DESCENDANTS
Leonardo DiCaprio in J. EDGAR
Michael Fassbender in SHAME
Ryan Gosling in THE IDES OF MARCH
Brad Pitt in MONEYBALL

--- I could always do with more Michael Shannon love, but Take Shelter just isn't a widely-seen film (though he and co-star Jessica Chastain [who the hell isn't a co-star with her this year?] are receiving a lot of love from national and international critic's awards). I'm glad Fassbender got in there for a seemingly controversial film. But Gosling (while nominated twice) should've been up for Drive.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Jodie Foster in CARNAGE
Charlize Theron in YOUNG ADULT
Kristen Wiig in BRIDESMAIDS
Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Kate Winslet in CARNAGE

--- Awesome! Thank god Julia Roberts didn't slip in here like she usually does! I'm loving the two nods for Carnage, which I am dying to see because of its basis on the 2009 play God of Carnage by French playwright Yazmina Reza. I really hope Kristen Wiig win simply because there are no actresses who deserve this from the musical standpoint and she is pure comic genius.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Jean Dujardin in THE ARTIST
Brendan Gleeson in THE GUARD
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 50/50
Ryan Gosling in CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE
Owen Wilson in MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

--- No Johnny Depp! Wooo! Very good line up here, and now I'm definitely curious to see The Guard. Glad Owen Wilson jumped in there, despite the fact that he's overpowered by a slew of amazing supporting roles in Midnight in Paris. I'd really like to see Gosling take it home even though Dujardin probably will (I still have to see The Artist!)


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Berenice Bejo in THE ARTIST
Jessica Chastain in THE HELP
Janet McTeer in ALBERT DOBBS
Octavia Spencer in THE HELP
Shailene Woodley in THE DESCENDANTS

--- Two days in a row of snubbing for Vanessa Redgrave in Corionalus doesn't do her well in the long run. I'm really excited for McTeer who derserves the recognition for Albert Dobbs. I really want Jessica Chastain to take home every award for delivering a season like no one has ever come close to. In a perfect world, the Oscars would nominated her across the board:

Jessica Chastain in CORIONALUS
Jessica Chastain in THE DEBT
Jessica Chastain in THE HELP
Jessica Chastain in TAKE SHELTER
Jessica Chastain in THE TREE OF LIFE

But, it's not a perfect world... Melissa McCarthy certainly got shafted here by Woodley, so watch out to see who is Oscar-nominated next month.


BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Kenneth Branagh in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Albert Brooks in DRIVE
Jonah Hill in MONEYBALL
Viggo Mortensen in A DANGEROUS MIND
Christopher Plummer in BEGINNERS

--- This is possibly the most unpredictable race to the 2012 Oscars. Clearly, Plummer will take home the award and has been diligently nominated in the last week or so. But Brooks, who appeared to be a front-runner has been ignored a few times, then we have Branagh who is pulling ahead rapidly, Hill who is in and out, Armie Hammer who gets notice every now and then, and nwo Mortensen falls into the five out of nowhere. Then there's Max Von Sydow for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (snubbed for SAGs and GGs) and Nick Nolte for Warrior who got in the SAG slot yesterday. I'll be rooting for Plummer or Brooks here.


BEST DIRECTOR
Woody Allen for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
George Clooney for THE IDES OF MARCH
Michel Hazanavicius for THE ARTIST
Alexander Payne for THE DESCENDANTS
Martin Scorcese for HUGO

--- Woah! Here come the dark horses. Allen and Clooney haven't received much recognition recently, so this is a surprise. They snubbed out Spielberg for War Horse, Stephen Daldry for Extremely Loud, and (WHY?!) Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life. I'm really thinking still that Malick will come out with an Oscar nomination. The Director's Guild will have a say in this race, but Malick's work on The Tree of Life is just nothing any of these directors came close to - even Scorcese. So, I'm pulling for Woody here just because he hates these kind of things.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Screen Actors Guild Awards - Predictions!

It's been a long time, bloggers!

I'm updating to predict the nominations that will be released for the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Here are my picks:

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A CAST ENSEMBLE
THE ARTIST
BRIDESMAIDS
THE DESCENDANTS
THE HELP
THE TREE OF LIFE

BEST ACTOR
George Clooney in THE DESCENDANTS
Jean Dujardin in THE ARTIST
Michael Fassbender in SHAME
Gary Oldman in TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
Brad Pitt in MONEYBALL

BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close in ALBERT DOBBS
Viola Davis in THE HELP
Meryl Streep in THE IRON LADY
Tilda Swinton in WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Albert Brooks in DRIVE
Christopher Plummer in BEGINNERS
Andy Serkis in RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Max Von Sydow in EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Berenice Bejo in THE ARTIST
Jessica Chastain in THE HELP
Janet McTeer in ALBERT DOBBS
Octavia Spencer in THE HELP
Shailene Woodley in THE DESCENDANTS

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Primetime Emmy Predictions 2011

Emmy Winner Predictions?!

Drama: Boardwalk Empire
Comedy: Modern Family
Actress Drama: Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Actor Drama: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Supporting Actress, Drama: Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Supporting Actor, Drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Actress, Comedy: Laura Linney, The Big C
Actor, Comedy: Steve Carrell, The Office
Supporting Actress, Comedy: Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Supporting Actor, Comedy: Ed O'Neil, Modern Family
Variety, Comedy, Musical: Daily Show
Reality Show: American Idol
Mini/TV Movie: Mildred Pierce
Guest Actor in Comedy: Justin Timberlake, SNL
Guest Actress in Comedy: Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee
Actress, Mini/TV Movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Actor, Mini/TV Movie: Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys
Supporting Actress, Mini/TV Movie: Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce
Supporting Actor, Mini/TV Movie: Tom Wilkinson, The Kennedys

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Early Oscar Predictions for 2012

I missed last year's early predictions, so I'm going to attempt at naming the nominee's for next December, leading to the 2012 Academy Awards. I'm sure I'll do TERRIBLE.

BEST PICTURE
THE CONSPIRATOR
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
THE IDES OF MARCH
THE IRON LADY
MARTHA MARCY MAE MARLENE
MEEK'S CUTOFF
THE TREE OF LIFE
WE BOUGHT A ZOO
WAR HORSE
YOUNG ADULT

BEST DIRECTOR
George Clooney for THE IDES OF MARCH
David Fincher for THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Terrence Malik for THE TREE OF LIFE
Jason Reitman for YOUNG ADULT
Stephen Spielberg for WAR HORSE

BEST ACTOR
Daniel Craig in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Ryan Gosling in THE IDES OF MARCH
Jeremy Irvine in WAR HORSE
Brad Pitt in THE TREE OF LIFE
Sam Riley in ON THE ROAD

BEST ACTRESS
Rooney Mara in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Elizabeth Olsen in MARTHA MARCY MAE MARLENE
Meryl Streep in THE IRON LADY
Michelle Williams in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Robin Wright in THE CONSPIRATOR

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jim Broadbent in THE IRON LADY
George Clooney in THE IDES OF MARCH
John Hawkes in MARTHA MARCY MAE MARLENE
Phillip Seymour Hoffman in MONEYBALL
Sean Penn in THE TREE OF LIFE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams in ON THE ROAD
Jessica Chastain in THE TREE OF LIFE
Viola Davis in THE HELP
Elle Fanning in WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Chloe Moretz in HUGO CABARET

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Oscar Predictions 2011: Who Will Win?

Oscar Predictions!!!!!

Best Picture: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Director: David Fincher for THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Best Actor: Colin Firth for THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Actress: Natalie Portman for BLACK SWAN

Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Steinfeld for TRUE GRIT

Best Original Screenplay: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Adapted Screenplay: THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Best Animated Feature: TOY STORY 3

Best Foreign Language Film: BIUTIFUL

Best Cinematography: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Editing: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Art Direction: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Costume Design: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Makeup: THE WOLFMAN

Best Original Score: THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Best Original Song: 127 HOURS

Best Sound Mixing: THE KING'S SPEECH

Best Sound Editing: INCEPTION

Best Visual Effects: INCEPTION

Best Documentary: INSIDE JOB

Best Documentary, Short: STRANGERS NO MORE

Best Short Film, Animated: DAY & NIGHT

Best Short Film, Live Action: THE CONFESSION

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

An Audience Member's Suggestions for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

This past Saturday, I went to see the much-criticized Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark at the Foxwoods Theatre in New York City. Before I talk about the performance, let's get some things clear: "Spider-Man" is in previews, which means it hasn't opened yet, however a preview performance has an audience; also, the show not only has a world-record for most expensive Broadway show ($65 milion - previous record-holder was Shrek: The Musical with a mere $25 million) but it will also be the show with the most preview performances once it opens on March 15th. Preview performances are so a show can ready itself for the critics. Some shows hardly need any time, such as a revival that really doesn't have any script changes; some shows, particularly original musicals or plays, need more previews to ensure the show and its people are at its best for opening night - the night the critics arrive and review.

Many critics, while disgruntled from the multiple extensions to Spider-Man's opening night, are holding off on a review, while others have gone right ahead and told what they think about a premature show. I - being an amateur blogging critic (does anyone even read this?) - was going to review the show, however, after seeing the high-flying spectacle, will do something a little different - I'd like to suggest.

I will try to refrain from suggestions that appear close to critiques, but that may be difficult. Anyways, here they are:

(1) Arachne is an incredible creation/inspiration for the show. She adds dimension and history to the legend of Spider-Man. However, too much Arachne eliminates some crucial Spidey story, particularly the relationship with Uncle Ben and Peter Parker. Ben's death came with indifference, where it should come with sympathy and loss.

(2) Dialogue tweaking is hugely necessary. Often, predictable lines come off (obviously) cliched, even under the control of incredible actors (I saw Matthew James Thomas of the film Billy Elliot as Peter ; Jennifer Damiano, my personal favorite of the Spidey-cast, Tony-nominee of Next to Normal as Mary Jane; and T.V. Carpio of the film Across the Universe as Arachne). Cringe-worthy, yet completely fixable in six weeks.

(3) Clarity. There were moments where actions had no cause, where songs had no segue. The art of the musical is great - I'm not talking as some meat-headed high school jock who doesn't get what a painting means - I'm talking about real blurriness. True confusion. For example, the army scene with Dr. Osbourne... I still haven't a clue what it was about or why it happened.

(4) The truth is, the show is an incredible feat and I can't wait to see it after it opens. Yet, while it achieves so much in spectacle - and I mean probably more than any Broadway show EVER - it lacks in dialgoue, character, and plot. Aristotle said drama - good drama - needs all six elements: Plot, Character, Dialogue, Theme, Spectacle, and Music. Julie, Bono, The Edge and the rest of the cast and crew have blasted through the roof in three of the six (Theme, Spectacle, Music), but the first three (I daresay, the most important) need to make the goosebumps crawl like they do when Spider-Man and Green Goblin fight through mid-air, or when Peter and Mary Jane sing simultaneously against the backdrops of their houses, or when Arachne weaves her web in the show's prologue, or when Peter Parker - clothed in a Spidey jacket - swings in a finale full of realization. I want to feel for the characters more, I want to hear spine-chilling words in those emotional moments, I want action that leads to action, I want more heart.

I apologize if this appears more like a review, but I fully intend to review the show when it opens (or when I see it after it opens).

Monday, January 24, 2011

Predicting the 2011 Oscar Nominees

Teaching a Film Studies course this semester, I figure why not have 16 high school students do what I've been doing for years - predicting the Oscar nominees? Based on tomorrow's results, they will be divided into 5 categories based on how well they predicted, then they receive bonus points for correct answers. But, if any can beat my score, they'll be awarded a mega ton of bonus points - pretty awesome.

Before I continue with my predicitons, I'd just like to say that most of the time, I think the release of the nominees is more exciting than the one who wins the award - I sometimes think that by that time, when the Oscars come around (finally) it's mostly all set in stone for the big categories. I WANT SOME UPSETS, MAN.

Anyways, here are my predicitons for all the categories:

BEST PICTURE
127 HOURS
BLACK SWAN
THE FIGHTER
INCEPTION
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
THE KING'S SPEECH
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
TOY STORY 3
TRUE GRIT
WINTER'S BONE

BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky for BLACK SWAN
Danny Boyle for 127 HOURS
David Fincher for THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Tom Hooper for THE KING'S SPEECH
Christopher Nolan for INCEPTION

BEST ACTOR
Jeff Bridges in TRUE GRIT
Jesse Eisenberg in THE SOCIAL NETWORK
Colin Firth in THE KING'S SPEECH
James Franco in 127 HOURS
Ryan Gosling in BLUE VALENTINE

BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Nicole Kidman in RABBIT HOLE
Jennifer Lawrence in WINTER'S BONE
Natalie Portman in BLACK SWAN
Michelle Williams in BLUE VALENTINE

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale in THE FIGHTER
Andrew Garfield in THE SOCIAL NETWORK
John Hawkes in WINTER'S BONE
Jeremy Renner in THE TOWN
Geoffrey Rush in THE KING'S SPEECH

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams in THE FIGHTER
Helena Bonham Carter in THE KING'S SPEECH
Mila Kunis in BLACK SWAN
Melissa Leo in THE FIGHTER
Jacki Weaver in ANIMAL KINGDOM

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Stuart Blumberg & Lisa Cholodenko for THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Sofia Coppola for SOMEWHERE
Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz & John J. McLaughlin for BLACK SWAN
Mike Leigh for ANOTHER YEAR
David Speidler for THE KING'S SPEECH

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Ben Affleck, Peter Craig & Aaron Stockhard for THE TOWN
Michael Arndt for TOY STORY 3
Joel & Ethan Coen for TRUE GRIT
Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini & Daniel Woodrell for WINTER'S BONE
Aaron Sorkin for THE SOCIAL NETWORK

BEST ART DIRECTION
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
INCEPTION
THE KING'S SPEECH
SHUTTER ISLAND
TRON: LEGACY

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
for TRUE GRIT
for THE SOCIAL NETWORK
for BLACK SWAN
for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I
for INCEPTION

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
THE KING'S SPEECH
THE TEMPEST
TRUE GRIT
SECRETARIAT

BEST FILM EDITING
THE FIGHTER
INCEPTION
THE KING'S SPEECH
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
THE TOWN

BEST MAKEUP
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
BLACK SWAN
LET ME IN

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
THE KING'S SPEECH
INCEPTION
NEVER LET ME GO
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
TOY STORY 3

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
127 HOURS - "If I Rise"
BURLESQUE - "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
TANGLED - "I See the Light"
TOY STORY 3 - "We Belong Together"
WAITING FOR SUPERMAN - "Shine"

BEST SOUND MIXING
BLACK SWAN
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
INCEPTION
IRON MAN 2
TRON: LEGACY

BEST SOUND EDITING
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
INCEPTION
IRON MAN 2
TRON: LEGACY
TRUE GRIT

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I
INCEPTION
IRON MAN 2
TRON: LEGACY

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
INSIDE JOB
PRECIOUS LIFE
THE TILLMAN STORY
WAITING FOR SUPERMAN
WASTELAND

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
THE ATHLETE
BITIFUL
I AM LOVE
IN A BETTER WORLD
OUTSIDE THE LAW

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
How to Train a Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3

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