Final Oscar Predictions!

The time has come! There are my final Oscar Predictions. I'm nervous because it feels like such a crapshoot and I have no idea what'll happen. Nomination day always brings crazy snubs and curve balls. Chances are things will be way off, but here's what I have to offer anyway. I have second guessed all of these like crazy. The amount of times that I've opened and closed and editing this list is kind of ridiculous, so I'm posting it now so that I stop. Good luck to everyone making predictions. It's definitely a tricky one this year!

BEST PICTURE

-Boyhood
-Birdman
-The Grand Budapest Hotel
-The Imitation Game
-The Theory Of Everything
-Selma
-Gone Girl
-Whiplash
-American Sniper

This list is in order of likelihood. And the top 5 films are pretty much locked in and I'd be surprised if they didn't get it. After Theory of Everything, things get a little murky. Just a few weeks ago Selma seemed all but locked in. But it's been snubbed left, right and center, due to late screenings. And I have a small feeling it could just get completely shut out, but a larger part can't see it happening. Gone Girl I just really want to happen, and, with a Best Adapted Screenplay nod locked in, would they really leave it out of here? I don't think so. I originally had American Sniper in here, but I don't really have it up for anything else besides Sound Editing/Mixing. Then I also have Foxcatcher with it's only other predicted nomination being Supporting Actor. A bigger nomination, but honestly not much better. I'm back and forth on who to pick, but will go with American Sniper. That DGA nomination (along with the PGA) makes me think this could be the one getting in, barely.

BEST DIRECTOR

-Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

-Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman)

-Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
-Damien Chazelle (Whiplash)
-Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

I really want to see Fincher here. So badly! But with Selma fading and with the DGA nod for Tyldum and Whiplash getting the right kind of hype, I filled my last two slots with Chazelle and Tyldum. Again, only really sure of the top 3. But Tyldum got the DGA nomination, and I'm just simply taking a risk with Chazelle. I'd also like to see Ava DuVernay here, mainly because it means another woman gets nominated, which is always great to see. But Selma has really been missing with the precursors, so I think it may miss out here. But don't be surprised if she does make it in in the end.  

BEST ACTOR
-Michael Keaton (Birdman)
-Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
-Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
-David Oyelowo (Selma)
-Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler)

It was killer leaving Steve Carell off here. I just really want to see Steve Carell up for an Oscar, darnit! But this could be completely up in the air. Oyelowo hasn't gotten as much love from the Guilds (no SAG nomination), but I think he'll end up getting in over Carell. Bummer (not that I've seen either film...). Gyllenhaal is getting the right kind of love, and I think the Academy might just go for it.

BEST ACTRESS
-Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
-Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
-Reese Witherspoon (Wild)
-Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
-Jennifer Aniston (Cake)

I don't really see Jennifer Aniston getting in here, but just don't really know who to fill the slot with...

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

-Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)

-Edward Norton (Birdman)

-JK Simmons (Whiplash)

-Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher)

-Robert Duvall (The Judge)

I'd love to see Steve Carell pop up here like he did with the BAFTAs. Sadly, I don't think it'll happen. I'd love to see me proved wrong!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

-Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game)

-Emma Stone (Birdman)

-Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)

-Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)

-Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year)

Again, I'm unsure about Jessica Chastain. I love her, so her getting nominations is great. But it could be Rene Russo, Tilda Swinton or Laura Dern in here.

BEST EDITING
-Boyhood

-Birdman

-The Imitation Game

-The Grand Budapest Hotel

-Gone Girl

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

-Birdman

-Boyhood

-The Grand Budapest Hotel 

-Nightcrawler

-Selma

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

-The Imitation Game 

-Gone Girl

-Whiplash

-Wild

-The Theory of Everything

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

-Ida

-Leviathan

-Wild Tales

-Timbuktu

-Force Majeure

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
-Birdman

-Mr Turner

-The Grand Budapest Hotel

-Interstellar

-Unbroken

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

-The Grand Budapest Hotel

-Into the Woods

-Interstellar

-Birdman

-The Imitation Game 

BEST SOUND MIXING
-American Sniper
-Into the Woods
-Interstellar
-Whiplash
-Fury

BEST SOUND EDITING
-Interstellar
-American Sniper
-Whiplash
-Guardians of the Galaxy
-Fury

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

-The Grand Budapest Hotel

-Into the Woods

-Maleficent

-The Imitation Game

-The Theory of Everything

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

-The Imitation Game, Alexandre Desplat

-The Theory of Everything, Johann Johannsson 

-Gone Girl, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

-The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alexandre Desplat

-Interstellar, Hans Zimmer

Can Desplat please take up 4 of the 5 slots? Actually, everything listed here is so fantastic. It was a great year for Original Score, unlike last year which was sadly lacking.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

-CitizenFour

-Life Itself 

-Keep On Keepin' On

-Last Days in Vietnam

-The Case Against 8

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

-The LEGO Movie

-How to Train Your Dragon 2

-Big Hero 6

-The Boxtrolls

-The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

-Interstellar

-Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
-Guardians of the Galaxy

-The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

-Godzilla

BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING

-The Grand Budapest Hotel 

-The Theory of Everything 

-Guardians of the Galaxy

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

-Selma- "Glory"

-Begin Again- "Lost Stars"

-The Lego Movie- "Everything is Awesome" 

-Big Eyes- "Big Eyes"

-Boyhood- "Split the Difference" 

True Detective + Golden Globe Predictions

Yeah, it's been a few weeks since I've done one of these. Between all the holidays, I just didn't really have time. Plus I've been down with a cold for about a week now.

But one thing I did do over those holidays is finally got around to watching True Detective. Oh man, what a show! It started off a little slowly, but I got majorly sucked in. McConaughey and Harrelson were the perfect match-up, in like every way. They're so different from each other but I feel like they worked so well together. Both gave such incredible performances and the story was so complex and layered. Which is always my favourite! However, did anyone else think Marty Hart looked like an

older Peeta from the Hunger Games? Anyone? Still, the show was amazing and I'm pretty bummed that McConaughey lost out to Bryan Cranston at the Emmys.

Anyway, Award season is full steam ahead. I try to watch all the potential (and actual) Best Picture nominees every year, so trying to figure out what those are and trying to see them while still in theatres has proved extremely difficult this year. Of all the potentials, I've only see The Theory of Everything, the Imitation Game, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Gone Girl. Movies like Whiplash and Nightcrawler were films that weren't on my radar when released in theatres and Foxcatcher still hasn't made it's way anywhere close enough for me to venture to see. I feel like this year has so many more limited releases (and smaller releases) than the past few years. Last year it wasn't too hard to find everything in theatres.

Anyway, since the Globes are this Sunday, I thought I'd do a quick little Will Win/Should Win for the Film section (because I haven't seen pretty much anything in the TV category besides True Detective). I feel like these predictions are going to be a complete crapshoot. Between the category splits and the HFPA always picky a few wacky winners and really enjoying their celebrities, I just never really know.

Best Picture (Drama)
Will Win: Boyhood
Should Win: Boyhood

I almost, almost, almost went with The Imitation Game on this one. Boyhood feels a little too indie for the Golden Globes, but it's just too strong not to win. And I fully support a win here.

Best Picture (Comedy/Musical)
Will Win: Birdman
Should Win: The Grand Budapest Hotel

I just really love Wes Anderson. GBH is not my favourite movie from him but any wins for Wes Anderson makes me happy. However, Birdman is definitely going to be taking this one.

Best Actor (Drama)
Will Win: Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
Should Win: Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)

Having seen both films, I do honestly think Redmayne's performance was superior, but I see Cumberbatch winning here. Having almost put Imitation Game as Best Picture (Drama) I do see it winning here. Though I honestly wouldn't be shocked if any of these nominees win. Seriously, any of them could win and I wouldn't really blink.

Best Actress (Drama)
Will Win: Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
Should Win: Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)

Again, I feel like pretty much anyone could win this, especially someone like Jennifer Aniston or Reese Witherspoon. If Julianne Moore is going to lose any major award this year, it'll be here. However, I still think she will win. But wouldn't it be awesome if Rosamund won? Pleaaaaase.

Best Actor (Comedy/Musical)
Will Win: Michael Keaton (Birdman)
Should Win: Ralph Fiennes or Michael Keaton

Honestly, I don't think there's any stopping Michael Keaton, but I know we've all thought that in other years about other actors. Michael Keaton was indeed wonderful in Birdman, but I just loved Fiennes in GBH and he looked like he had so much fun. I'd love to see this upset.

Best Actress (Comedy/Musical)
Will Win: Emily Blunt (Into the Woods)
Should Win: I have literally not seen any of the movies up, so I'm going to go with Blunt because I love her.

I feel like Julianne Moore, Amy Adams and Emily Blunt all have shots at winning. But I think Blunt should take it here.

Supporting Actor
Will Win: JK Simmons (Whiplash)
Should Win: Edward Norton or Ethan Hawke

As always, I am suspicious of the HFPA and wonder if this will go to a bigger celebrity (like Norton) but I do see Simmons taking this.

Supporting Actress
Will Win: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
Should Win: Patricia Arquette or Emma Stone

I'm unsure of my pick for Arquette here. I feel like Emma Stone, Keira Knightley or Meryl Streep could all take this but I'm going to go with Arquette.

Director
Will Win: Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
Should Win: Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

I feel like Linklater is going to have no problem bagging all the director prizes this year, similar to Cuaron last year.

Animated Film
Will Win: the Lego Movie
Should Win: the Lego Movie

Seriously, this movie is winning. And it so deserves to!

Screenplay
Will Win: Birdman
Should Win: Any of the nominees!

Honestly, anyone could win this and I think I'd be happy. The more love for Boyhood/GBH/Gone Girl the better, I say. Originally, I had picked Boyhood, but I think Birdman might just win out here. This is my wild card pick!

Foreign Language
Will Win: Ida
Should Win: ????

I need to start trying to watch the Foreign language films. Because I never do.

Original Score
Will Win: Antonio Sanchez (Birdman)
Should Win: Any!

Honestly, every single nominee in this category is fantastic and I'd be happy if any of them win. But I see Sanchez snagging it here. He's ineligible for the Oscar, so I see him winning here.

Original Song: 
Will Win: Glory (Selma)
Should Win: Everything is Awesome! (the Lego Movie)

Wait, Everything is Awesome isn't a nominee? What??? Anyway, this category is always stupid to me and I haven't listened to any of the songs so I don't really care. Selma seems like the best bet?


Anyway, there's my predictions. All safe picks for the most part. But honestly, they could go really safe, or they might not. I don't have any idea. I'm really unsure about my pick in Cumberbatch winning. I know GoldDerby predicts Redmayne (which I'd be super happy to see) but I'm going to stick with Cumberbatch. I guess that's my risky pick (is it really, though?)


Anyway, sadly I won't get to watch the whole show (I get up super early for work so I'll have to go to bed before the show is over), but I'm super looking forward to it. I just wish the TV nominations weren't so weird (seriously, why the absence of Brooklyn Nine-Nine when it freaking won last year?) It'll be fun, whatever wins! And goodness knows there will be a few weird wins!

2015 Blindspot

As 2015 rolls around, I've decided to pick up a new project, this one a year long one. I've seen bloggers all around participating in this over the year, and as the new year rolls in, I've decided to join in. Introduced by Ryan at the Matinee, I'm going to be participating in the The Blindspot challenge. It's about catching up with "essential" films and picking 12 of them to view and post about over the course of the year.

Since I've finished my Best Picture project, I still felt there are so many films I just haven't gotten around to seeing. Mostly because my time was taken up with that project and those films were the priorities. So several of the films below are films many people thought should've won Best Picture, or films that are pop culture favourites, or just had Oscar Nominated performances. I'm not really sure how "essential" everything is on this list, but I tried to get a broad range of classics, cult classics, popular films, and critical favourites. I've listed my films below and I'll give you some reasons why I've picked them.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Yes, seriously, I have never seen Raiders of the Lost Ark. I know some of you are shocked and probably confused, but it's just a film I've just somehow never gotten around to. I'm too young to have watched it as a kid, and it was a film that my parents never owned, so I never saw. Now, I've seen bits and pieces of it over the years, and even played the theme song in Band in high school, but I figure it's about time I saw this one. 

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Dazed and Confused is a film I've heard a lot about over the years. But right now, I've been really interested in Richard Linklater's films, and it would be fun to see the original performance of "alright, alright, alright" from Matthew McConaughey, and I know it's such a cult classic. Again, maybe not "essential" but it's definitely one I'm interested in seeing and have heard so much about. 

Goodfellas (1990)

The film that probably should've won Best Picture over Dances with Wolves. At least, that's what I kept hearing when reading up on Dances with Wolves during the BP project. It's also the film that many say should've gotten Martin Scorsese his first big Oscar win. Needless to say, I definitely call this one essential viewing. It's a "runner up", in a sense, for Best Picture, and I've just heard it's so freaking good. (Also, it means I get to see Harry from Home Alone in an Oscar Winning Performance... definitely essential!)

Psycho (1960)

Is anything really more essential viewing than Psycho? I am sadly behind on my Hitchcock films, all I have seen to date is Rebecca and Rope. Both really good, but not really the ones he's well known for. I just feel it's high time to watch this classic. 

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Mainly, I want to see this so I can find out why Angelina has an acting Oscar but Brad doesn't. I'm not really sure if this is a classic or an essential film at all, but I mainly want to see Angie's Golden Performance. 

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Is there really anything to say about this one? This one, and the one below, both released in the same year and, depending who you ask, say it deserved to win Best Picture over Forrest Gump. It's Tarantino at his supposed best, so it's something I definitely need to see. 

Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Again, this one is pretty easy to see why it was picked. It's another film I feel weird saying I've never seen. Admittedly, I have seen the first 45 minutes or so (it was on TV during my honeymoon but came on really late so I fell asleep). It's a film my husband really likes, and, obviously, is a classic. 

Roman Holiday (1953)

I wanted to toss some lighter stuff in without it being too light. This is Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, a combo that sounds really enjoyable to watch. It's an iconic movie (or more, Audrey Hepburn is just iconic in everything she does). It won Audrey an Oscar and was up for 10 Oscars including Best Picture. A break from some of the heavier fare is always welcome!

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Again, another movie I'm kind of ashamed I haven't seen yet. It's that classic Christmas movie that I was never interested in seeing as a kid, so never saw. Jimmy Stewart is awesome and I've enjoyed some of Frank Capra's other films, so this one is a must-see. 

Almost Famous (2000)

Okay, not necessarily essential, but it's a film I'd like to see. It got Kate Hudson an Oscar nomination, so I'm definitely pretty curious. Mainly, it just looks like an itneresting, fun film that would be a nice break up from the heavy stuff, but also critically acclaimed enough and I've heard enough people reference it to make me want to see it.  

Se7en (1995)

Another director I've like to completely catch up on is David Fincher. His films I often don't care for on first viewing but grow to love them. I debated whether to put Fight Club or Se7en on this list, but went with Se7en in the end. It's regarded often as Fincher's best film (depending who you ask). I'm also a big Brad Pitt fan so it's two birds with one stone on viewing this one. 

Citizen Kane (1941)

Okay, there are a lot of movies I'm kind of ashamed I haven't seen. And while I wouldn't rank this as high on the ashamed list as Indiana Jones, it's still a film that, as a film lover, I feel I should really get around to seeing. I saw the first half or so in film class in college but haven't really had time to watch the rest. It's greatly considered the best film ever made, so I'd say it's definitely essential!

There you have it! There are my 12 films to expect posts about over the next 12 months. I'm definitely looking forward to catching up films that I really should've seen by now and excited to just see some great movies. 

(Note: I didn't realize how many 90's movies I was doing until I started adding the dates to the films. 6 movies from the 90's plus 1 from 2000)

The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game, 2014

Directed by Morten Tyldum

In a race against time, the British government is trying desperately to crack the Enigma Code, the way in which The Germans encode their messages during WWII. They are trying to crack the code in order to win the war. However, this is an impossible task. There are millions of millions of possibilities for the code, and they change the code everyday at midnight. But at Bletchley Park, groups of scholars, mathematicians, and all sorts of intelligents are gathered to try and crack the code. Enter Alan Turing, a prodigy Cambridge student who loves crossword puzzles and games. Turing is hired, along with a small group of others, to crack Enigma. Confident in his skills and knowledge, Turing knows that humans are incapable of cracking the code themselves as there are millions of millions of possibilities for the code and the code changes every day at midnight. So he set out to invent a super machine in which can crack the code for them.

The story of Alan Turing is a complex one. And while I’ve heard that the film is not that accurate at all (when are these biopics ever that accurate?), the story is an interesting and a thrilling one. The film shows all the tangled webs that are weaved throughout the war, and how the war was simply not just the soldiers out fighting on the battlefield. There was much more to the war, so much we don’t know. And Alan Turing played a large part in that. The story is well balanced in talking about Turing’s personal life, his work and his life after the war.

While Turing is most well known for essentially inventing the computer during WWII, the other thing most well known about him is that he was gay (something of which was illegal in the UK at the same). And as punishment, was chemically castrated. The film does involve his homosexuality, and, while many have complained the film isn’t “gay enough”, I found the balance that was struck was appropriate and made the most sense. The most interesting thing I found about this film, and the attitude of many of the people who talk about Turing is that it’s terrible that we uphold Turing as a war hero, but then we chemically castrate him for being a homosexual. And while I do agree, chemical castration is terrible and is such a dark part of the UK’s past, but I find it interesting that most people think of the situation this way. Turing’s part in the war was not only classified, but no records existed for what he did during the war. His file is completely empty, as the film shows. Nobody knew of his contributions for a long time. As well, Turing was offered the choice of a few years in prison, or to be chemically castrated. He chose castration over prison so he would be able to continue working.

Nobody knew that the government had condemned and castrated a man who helped to end the war and had contributed so much. In their eyes, this was just another homosexual man, a regular man. I wonder whether things would’ve been different had anyone known. I suppose you could argue that the people who did know could’ve stepped up. But I feel as though things may have been a little different had it been known how much Turing had done for his country. This could be naivety on my part, but you never know.

Anyway, the film didn’t overly focus on this. This is just me taking these thoughts away from the film. Film’s that have you asking questions are always good ones. The way in which Turing was treated was undoubtedly horrible, whether or not he was a war hero.

As well, Keira Knightley’s character Joan Clarke is probably the person who fascinated me most. Joan came to Bletchley Park after completing a crossword puzzle in the newspaper, the means used to find new recruits as code breakers to work on Turing’s team. She was the only woman and, at the interview, completed the exercises faster than Turing himself had. But Joan found herself unable to attend. She is a young, unmarried woman, and to do such work amongst men (the work at Bletchley was disguised as working at a Radio Factory) was not looked as “appropriate” by her parents. However, Turing is incredibly interested in Joan, and is able to get her to come, though working among the women who intercepted the German messages. Joan and Alan became extremely close and she also plays a part in the cracking of Enigma. Joan Clarke was a very well-written female character in a very male film. The fact that a woman like her existed is fantastic. I found Joan probably the most interesting character of the bunch. She was strong, intelligent, and knew exactly what she wanted. But being a woman meant that there were so many obstacles in her way. But she overcame so many of them to get where she went.

The film itself was well-made, though nothing terribly stand-out about it. It was thrilling, had a great story and the story itself was delivered well. Turing is an interesting character and Benedict Cumberbatch played him so well. Cumberbatch is just one of those actors where I don’t believe when people say he can’t act. I mistrust those people because Cumberbatch is one of the most obviously talented and passionate actors working right now. You can tell he had such devotion to the part and to the man himself. You can tell how much love and effort was put into the role. He played the part incredibly well and delivered on so many levels. And as much as I loved the character of Joan, Keira Knightley’s performance was simply a solid one but nothing terribly standout. Though admittedly the role of Joan was not nearly as juicy as I’ve made it sound, and often didn’t have Keira Knightley doing things overly interesting. Though in the small moments she needed to deliver, she always did.

As well, I’m a huge fan of Alexandre Desplat, and his work here, of course, was fabulous. Desplat is always so brilliant for having elements of the story and film reflecting in his music. In this case, Desplat often had the music feel very scattered and very ticking. It definitely felt puzzle and enigma-like, which is something I love about Desplat’s style.

In the end, while the film wasn't edgy and didn't take very many risks, it was still an incredibly enjoyable film. The screenplay was well-written, and while the approach of the scattered story-telling (in order to feel like a puzzle, as well) worked for the most part, it started to get a little too much and felt less effective by the end. However, there were some incredibly well-written and directed scenes. The “breakthrough” scene was a particular highlight of the film. As well, so many things were included without detracting from other details (a problem which The Theory of Everything seemed to have). Everything in the story was balanced exceedingly well, and this helped aid the film. 

Overall, the film should perform reasonably well at the Oscars. The screenplay is a current frontrunner for the win in Adapted Screenplay, and Desplat is also overdue for an Oscar win. However, I don’t see Cumberbatch being the winner of lead actor (I would personally choose fellow Brit Eddie Redmayne over Cumberbatch). However, the film should walk away with at least 5 nominations, if not more.

8/10

pitch perfect + breaking + christmas (random thoughts on fridays)

so where i'm living got buckets of snow yesterday. so that's a lot of fun. driving to and from work was pretty scary and slippery. so because my husband and I didn't feel like doing much, we watched Pitch Perfect on Netflix last night. I'd seen it before and just felt like watching a movie we could just

mellow with and not need to think about. And Pitch Perfect is pretty good for just that. I forgot how apathetic I feel about that movie. It's just alright and the fact they do that one song like a million times and you get to hear it a million times is really tiring. But I do really like Anna Kendrick so it's worth a watch every so often, I suppose. Also, Elizabeth Banks has a small part but she's kind of my favourite. Pretty cool she's directing the sequel.

So remember I was mentioning about Snowpiercer and how it got released in like no theatres which was really stupid and it probably would've made decent money had it actually played? Well, I found out more information about why this didn't happen. Apparently Harvey Weinstein didn't like the final cut and wanted the director to edit out like 20 minutes (which included back story of a character) so that the "average movie-goer from Oklahoma or Iowa" can understand it. I'm unsure what South Koreans understand that Oklahomans can't? Anyway, Weinstein's cut got poorer reactions and then he decided to make the directors cut the official version but was pissy and said that he was going to chop their theatre count and release on VOD really soon after so basically no theatres would want them. Sucks, eh? At least I eventually got to see it and it sounds like several people I have on Facebook have as well. That's always nice.

And on the same note, I'm still waiting for Foxcatcher and The Imitation Game to actually start playing near me. We'll see if this, like, ever happens. How is it I was more easily able to see Boyhood than Foxcatcher? This makes no sense to me.

My husband and I are slowly making our way through Breaking Bad. I heard it gets really slow near the middle and I'm wondering if we're hitting that point. This last episode was essentially Walt doing
home renos and Jesse was being all cutesy with a girl. I know, we're so behind, we're still on season 2, but now that we have more time, hopefully we'll start watching like mad, especially when I'm off in a week. Is it weird that I always wish really good shows or movies had book versions I could read? I always wish Downton Abbey was a book, I think that would be so awesome as a book. Is that weird? I just love combining my books and movies love. So many times I've read a book because the movie was coming out (yes, I've read Anna Karenina and Les Mis, crazy right?)

Does anyone have Christmas movie recommendations? The ads I see on TV for various Christmas movies all look so terrible and there is only so many times I can watch Home Alone 1 & 2, Elf, White Christmas and A Christmas Story. Why are so many so lame? Recommend me a good one please!

2015 Golden Globe Nominations

Another day with more nominations! Today had the announcement of the Golden Globe nominees. I mean, does anyone really take the Globes seriously? I know I don't, but it's still exciting and it's fun. 

As always, I have the film nominations listed below and have included some commentary. 

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Birdman
Into the Woods
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Pride
St. Vincent

So I think Birdman, Into the Woods and The Grand Budapest were pretty unsurprising here. I haven't really heard of Pride and St. Vincent looked so meh. I'd have preferred to see something like Begin Again or Chef in here. 

Best Motion Picture, Drama
Boyhood
Foxcatcher
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything

So, no Gone Girl here even though (spoiler! :P) Fincher makes it into the directors nominees. I'm not exactly sure how that works? There's more competition for Director (since it's not genre split) than there is for Drama picture. But I'm glad to see Foxcatcher making a comeback. Also, complete lack of Unbroken. Like, spoiler, it gets nothing. Interesting, interesting :) 

Best Director
Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Ava DuVernay, Selma
David Fincher, Gone Girl
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman
Richard Linklater, Boyhood

OH MY GOSH WES ANDERSON. Basically all my thoughts right now. Like, seriously, this is so wickedly cool. I love Wes Anderson and am so happy to see him here. Can this lineup repeat at the Oscars? I'd be incredibly happy with this!

Best Actor, Drama
Steve Carell, Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler
David Oyelowo, Selma
Eddie Redmayne, Theory of Everything

Nothing really surprising here. Like, at all. Having Keaton in Comedy opens up another slot so you've got pretty much the same nominees as yesterday at the SAG. I just love that Michael Scott is probably going to be an Oscar nominee! 

Best Actress, Drama
Jennifer Aniston, Cake
Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Jennifer Aniston was surprising yesterday but she isn't here. Globes love nominating celebrities and if Aniston is going to get in anywhere, it would be here. Also, looking at this list (which perfectly matches the SAG Actresses) I wondered who the heck our comedy nominees would be. Also, I love Felicity Jones and Rosamund Pike. I'd love to see either of them win!

Best Actor, Musical or Comedy

Ralph Fiennes, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Michael Keaton, Birdman
Bill Murray, St. Vincent
Joaquin Phoenix, Inherent Vice
Christoph Waltz, Big Eyes

Are many of these actually comedies? Golden Globes are always so weird like this. Nevertheless we have Inherent Vice actually slipping in here, a movie that just looks really weird and that i have like no interest seeing. Also this is probably the only place Big Eyes will be a thing. But yeah seriously I want Ralph Fiennes to win, I don't even care that Keaton was also fab, I'd love to see Fiennes win because he was so great. 

Best Actress, Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams, Big Eyes
Emily Blunt, Into the Woods
Helen Mirren, The Hundred-Foot Journey
Julianne Moore, Maps to the Stars
Quvenzhané Wallis, Annie

An interesting list for sure. But then I feel like this category is always random. Was Maps to the Stars and Hundred-Foot Journey comedies? But I digress, it's an odd list and I don't really have many thoughts about it. I think I'd like to see Emily Blunt win. She's kind of awesome and I like her. Good reasons to root for her, right? 

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Jessica Chastain, A Most Violent Year
Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
Emma Stone, Birdman
Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

Naomi Watts didn't make it in here like she did yesterday. I prefer seeing Chastain nominated because her movies looks juicy and awesome and she's super great and always deserves nominations. Just as long as Patricia Arquette wins. Anyone think the Globes might get really celeb-mainstream happy and pick Emma Stone? I could see it. 

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, The Judge
Ethan Hawke, Boyhood
Edward Norton, Birdman
Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Matchy-matchy with yesterday if I'm not mistaken. Again, as always, Edward Norton should be the winner here. 

Best Screenplay

Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, Birdman

Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Graham Moore, The Imitation Game

Again, so happy to see The Grand Budapest here. Actually, just all the nominees here are exciting and great choices. 

Best Animated Motion Picture
Big Hero 6
The Book of Life
The Boxtrolls
The Lego Movie
How to Train Your Dragon 2

Glad to see HTTYD2 here. I love those movies. Also, The Lego Movie should be the big duh winner here. 

Best Foreign Language Film
Force Majeure
Gett
Ida
Leviathan
Tangerines Mandarinid

Best Song

“Big Eyes,” by Lana Del Ray—Big Eyes
“Glory,” by John Legend & Common—Selma
“Mercy Is,” by Patti Smith & Lenny Kaye—Noah
“Opportunity,” by Greg Kurstin, Sia Furler, Will Gluck—Annie
“Yellow Flicker Beat,” by Lorde—Mockingjay

I'm surprised that Unbroken didn't even manage to make it in here... But otherwise, I really don't care about this category. 

Best Original Score, Motion Picture

Johann Johannsson, The Theory of Everything

Alexandre Desplat, The Imitation Game

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Gone Girl
Antonio Sanchez, Birdman
Hans Zimmer, Interstellar

All of these are such, such, such good choices. Like seriously, all of these are amazing scores and I'm so happy to see them all ehre. Johannsson's work for Theory was one of my favourite parts, BIrdman's was so original and Zimmer did something different and beautiful for Interstellar. Reznor and Ross are obviously brilliant and Gone Girl is no different. Also, can Desplat win his Oscar yet? Seriously. 


Anyway, I'm excited about the nominations, even if they don't really mean all THAT much in the end. It's fun and I'm rooting for my favourites. 

2015 Screen Actors Guild Nominations

As pretty much everyone already knows, I love awards season. And between today's SAG nominations and tomorrow's Golden Globe's, I'm just really excited! So here are the Film announcements below, along with a few thoughts. 

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

• Birdman
• Boyhood
• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• The Imitation Game
• The Theory of Everything

The Grand Budapest Hotel! I'm seriously excited and would love if this would turn into a thing. Like a Best Picture nomination thing. Please? Anyway, I'm also glad to see Theory of Everything and Boyhood here. Both have much smaller casts but they were both really good, Boyhood especially and the performances in Theory are just too good, so I'm glad they both made it in. Will Birdman be this years American Hustle? Maybe, maybe not. Hard to see where the direction of winners will go just yet. Although, can I point out that Unbroken didn't make it in here? Very interesting... (neither did Selma but apparently screeners weren't sent out so yeah). Also, Foxcatcher, Gone Girl and Into The Woods didn't make the cut either. Interesting, interesting. 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

• Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
• Beendict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
• Michael Keaton (Birdman)
• Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything)
• Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler)

I'm pretty excited for everybody here. I mean, I'd more excited if I had actually seen the Imitation Game and Foxcatcher (why is this not playing anywhere near me???) , but I'm still excited since I love both Steve Carell and Benedict Cumberbatch. Particularly happy to see Carell, since he seemed to be slipping. Also, I know the internet is loving Nightcrawler, a film I should probably catch, so I know people are happy to see him here. With GBH in Ensemble, I would've loved to see Ralph Fiennes here too but alas... 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

• Jennifer Aniston (Cake)
• Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
• Julianne Moore (Still Alice)
• Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)
• Reese Witherspoon (Wild)

Jennifer Aniston? I was surprised! Will this also become a thing? Potentially? Maybe not? Somehow I don't think it will, but the Globes love celebrities so I wouldn't be surprised to see her nominated there as well. But will that equal a thing at the Oscars? Otherwise, Julianne Moore is like a big duh, as is Reese Witherspoon. I love Felicity Jones and am so happy she's finally getting the recognition she deserves. Also, Amazing Amy for the win!

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

• Robert Duvall (The Judge)
• Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)
• Edward Norton (Birdman)
• Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher)
• J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)

I guess Duvall is the only real surprise but apparently SAG really likes him or something so I guess it isn't overly surprising. Otherwise, Hawke, Norton and Simmons were locks so no surprise there. I know people have loved Ruffalo for Foxcatcher so it's nice to see him here. Too bad for Channing Tatum, completely missing out. 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

• Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)
• Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game)
• Emma Stone (Birdman)
• Meryl Streep (Into the Woods)
• Naomi Watts (St. Vincent)

I am currently at work so I wasn't able to watch the live stream of nomination announcements so I had SAG's twitter page open. They don't specify what film/show people are nominated for so I had at first assumed Naomi Watts was up for Birdman, which I thought was a little random but not weird because I thought she was really good. But she's up for St. Vincent?? This is really, really random. I know I haven't seen it but this seems so out of the blue. Everything else was expected. As long as Patricia Arquette win, I'll be happy!

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

• Fury
• Get On Up
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
• Unbroken
• X-Men: Days of Future Past

There you  have it! Birdman is our leader with 4 nomintions, followed by The Theory of Everything, The Imitation Game and Boyhood. All of which I approve! So Awards season has officially launched and tomorrow we'll get the Golden Globe nominations. 

random thoughts on fridays (snowpiercer + award season)

To break things up, I just thought I'd post about random stuff. I mean, my blog is filled with mostly reviews or blogathons or whatever. So I thought I'd just post about random stuff and just write a typical blog post. I thought I'd try to do this once a week, so here we go...

I watched Snowpiercer a couple of weeks ago. Seriously, it was so fantastic. Like, so so good. I love how non-American it felt and just how much more guts it had than anything like it. I just don't get why this didn't get a bigger release than it did. Seriously, this is an R-rated Hunger Games starring Captain America. I definitely feel like if this had actually been marketed and released on a wider scale, there would've been a pretty solid audience. But yeah, Chris Evans proves to me that he is actually a really good actor. I mean, that scene where he's telling his story, right near the end? Yeah, so great. Also, Tilda Swinton is seriously underrated. Can I call her the quirky Meryl Streep? Because she kind of is. 

On a related note, limited releases sucks so much. I've been dying to see Foxcatcher for so long now, and this movie is just taking it's sweet time. It's been released now for a few weeks, but it's only playing downtown Toronto which, while not that far, takes a long time to get there, is inconvenient and I really don't have any time this time of year to just go. Here's to hoping it starts playing more places soon. Also, the Imitation Game better play at least somewhat close to me when it's released either next week or the week after. But yeah, Canada seems to be oddly behind on so many releases this year. I'm just happy that I was able to see Boyhood in theaters, and that I somehow was able to see the Theory of Everything at TIFF because goodness knows it's not really playing anywhere either. 

Also, I haven't see Mockingjay yet, and I really don't care. Weird for me, because I love the first two (and especially Catching Fire) but just really haven't bothered to go see it. I guess I will at some point but I'm thinking I'll just wait until my life gets a little less busy and go see it when it gets to the $5 theatre. That probably sounds like a better plan than spending a lot of money for what I hear is just a mediocre movie. 

Also, I'm getting ridiculously anxious and excited because I weirdly love Oscar season, and making predictions and who wins what, and ahhhhh. I love the competition and the guessing game and whatever. I've officially jumped on the "Boyhood for Best Picture" train. While I would love if Unbroken was fantastic (because the book was so great and Louis Zamperini's story is insane and amazing) but I don't really think it's going to happen and Boyhood seems the best bet after that. I mean, people are talking about Selma as well. If played right, it could get a big lift because of the whole civil rights thing going on in America right now, but I just don't (at this point) see another civil rights/"white guilt" movie winning two years in a row. I know they're different era's but I like to think the Academy can even provide a little more diversity with their winners. And yeah, I know Boyhood is probably way too indie to win, and that the Academy loves Jolie so Unbroken winning could still be a thing but I just really want Boyhood to win because, really, is there any other winner like it? Yep, I just love the speculation of it all. It's just too fun. 

Well, until next week...   (I hope this wasn't too random)  

My First Movie Blogathon!

So the ladies over at Flick Chicks are hosting another blogathon. This time, it's about your first movie experience. This could be anything from the first VHS you remember watching, your first time to the movie theater, or even the first VHS/DVD you bought for yourself.

So, for me, because I just can't remember the very first movie I ever watched, I am choosing to write about the first time at the movie theater. And honestly, I'm not even 100% sure this is the first film I saw in theaters. However, I spent some time going through the years I would've been old enough to go, and this was the first film that stuck out to me, and I'm pretty sure I saw in theater.

In 1999, I was seven years old. And one of my first trips to the movie theater (if not my first overall) led me to see the Disney movie Tarzan. I wouldn't say I was exactly raised on Disney (there are still a few I only remember vaguely watching and some I haven't seen at all), but, for whatever reason (maybe because I was finally old enough, or had seen the commercials and I was dying to see it), my parents took me to see Tarzan.

Tarzan, if you don't already know or haven't seen it, is about a man who has been raised by apes his whole life, out in the jungle. But when some explorers reach his area to research the apes, Tarzan discovers Jane. Jane and those with her are astonished in their discovery of Tarzan. A man been raised by apes? They teach him to read, speak and write English, to learn English customs and culture. And, of course, Tarzan and Jane fall in love.

Honestly, Tarzan is a movie I have not watched in quite a few years now, but it's one I definitely really loved growing up, after seeing it in theaters. The music is great, the story is great, and I kind of really wanted to be Jane Porter. How awesome was she? The animation was so beautiful, and I'm sure I pretended I was Tarzan or Jane various times after watching this film. And I also remember being slightly disturbed at the ending, with Clayton hanging in the vines. This scene, is the one I remember most from seeing it in theaters. I found it sad and scary and something I had never really seen before.

However, the music in the film was something I loved. All of it was awesome, Phil Collins wrote some amazing stuff. I believe we owned the soundtrack and I remember listening to it at home, thinking "You'll Be In My Heart" was such a sweet and romantic song.

Tarzan is a movie that I do not personally own, but my parents bought and owned on VHS after the movie was released. It was one we watched every so often and that we always enjoyed. It's one my mother probably enjoyed just as much as me and my younger sister. It was somewhat of a classic in our house for a period, but never really reached the level of love we had for Aladdin (which was my family's absolute favourite). We haven't watched this movie in years, and frankly, I can't really remember the last time I watched it. But it's a film that I've always loved and enjoyed, and one I'm actually thinking about watching sometime this week since it's been so long and I'd love to finally revisit it.

As mentioned, I can't be 100% sure that this is the first film I ever saw in theaters. But looking at the wide release movies in the years after I was born, this is the first one that sticks out to me and I'm 95% certain I did see in theaters.

Other movies seen in theaters in 1999: Inspector Gadget, Toy Story 2, Stuart Little