Happy Oscar Day! I am disappointed to report that this is the least excited I have ever been about Oscar Day in my whole life. Like I said in my previous post, I feel that this was generally a very weak year for movies, and the Oscar race reflects that. Not one film or person nominated has me that excited. (I am excited for Ed Norton's nomination, but he won't win, so I feel like what's the point?) I will watch the Oscars for the fashion, for NPH, and of course for Lady Gaga! But as far as who wins, I'm not too invested.
Here are my top ten favorite films from last year!
10. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Cesar, noooo!!!! I was surprised how much I liked this movie. I was expecting to feel meh about it, but I totally dug it! It has very smart social commentary about how and why societies have enemies and fight wars. Paranoia and fear, man! That's how it starts. You wouldn't think a film about talking apes could be so deep, but it is!
9. X-Men Days of Future Past
Fassbender!!!! Mmmmm...yes. I fell in love with him as Magneto in First Class, and my love for him only grows bigger and bigger with each film I see of his! I said in my last entry that I am suffering from super hero fatigue, and I am, but some how the X-Men movies NEVER disappoint me. (I even like X-Men 3 for crying out loud!) I think I like the X-Men movies because they are at heart always about the characters first, rather than the action surrounding defeating the big bad. And I love how this new franchise went back into the past to show the relationship between Magneto and Professor X.
8. Obvious Child
FINALLY! A positive movie about abortion! (Bet you never thought anyone would ever say that sentence!) But seriously, I am bored of movies that have a storyline where the woman has an unwanted pregnancy, wants to get an abortion, and then backs out. I'm pro choice (obviously) and I think abortions are more common than anyone thinks. In fact, I bet if every woman who's ever had an abortion suddenly started glowing bright blue, people would be SHOCKED at how many women are glowing blue.
I think that Obvious Child paints a very accurate picture about what it's like to be a woman in this day and age and to find yourself in a less than desirable situation. I feel this movie needed to be made, and needs to show the anti-abortionists that women who get abortions are not horrible, selfish, baby killers. They are normal, every day women. I thought this movie was great. I thought the lead girl, Jenny Slate, gave an excellent and honest performance.
7. 22 Jump Street
Like 21 Jump Street a few years back, 22 Jump Street is hilarious! I love how the movie mocked how sequels always repeat the plot of the original movie by actually repeating the plot of the original 21 Jump Street movie. The film is fully aware of its irony and plays along with it. Again, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are laugh out loud funny! Ice Cube's role is expanded and oh my god, he had me rolling on the floor! Hands down, funniest movie of the year!
6. Gone Girl
I had been looking forward to Gone Girl ever since I heard Ben and Fincher were teaming up! Then I read the book and I became even more excited! "How are they ever going to film this movie???" I thought! So many twists and turns! No way they could make a movie that's true to the book and just as suspenseful! Oh, but they did! I should always have faith in Fincher. Actually I was surprised at how close to the book the movie is! I was pretty sure changes would be made (especially since there were all those rumors about how the ending was going to be different). But the movie is pretty much exactly like the book, and it works!
I also loved how the movie was a bit of a satire, yes? It's a satire on marriage. You know how married people are always like, "I'm gonna kill my spouse!" Well, Gone Girl takes that to a whole new, super effed up level! I absolutely loved it!
I want Rosamund Pike to win tonight because her performance was creepy as hell, but she won't win, sadly. I wish Fincher was nominated but he was lost among the crowd.
5. Selma
I know I said I feel pretty blase about this year's Oscar race, but I will say that David Oyelowo was totally ROBBED for a nomination! He was incredible as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! The scenes where he was giving speeches gave me chills! And I liked that King was portrayed as a man with flaws in the film, rather than putting him up on a pedestal like a god. Out of all the movies I saw last year, Selma was the only one that took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. Parts of it were hard to watch, and parts of it were totally inspiring and uplifting.
4. Laggies
I'm not sure if this movie was given a wide release or not. I remember seeing trailers for it, but then I don't remember it ever being in theaters. Either way, it's a great little movie. Keira Knightley (who I always love!) plays 28 year old Megan, who has lost direction in life. Her best friends from high school have grown up and matured into very serious adults, her high school boyfriend, who she is still in a relationship with ten years later, is on a different wavelength than her, and she just discovered that her dad, who she absolutely adores, cheated on her mom. She feels and acts like an 18 year old who has no idea what to do with her life, and then befriends an 18 year old. Her relationship with a high school girl helps Megan find herself and direction in life. I enjoyed Laggies very much. I thought it was really cute and I found myself identifying with Megan: being an adult but not feeling like one, growing apart from high school friends, and trying to find my spirit animal.
3. The Hundred Foot Journey
I wasn't expecting to like this movie as much as I did, but I ended up overjoyed after watching it! You know the term "feel good movie"? The Hundred Foot Journey is SO that! It's about an Indian family who moves to France to open up a restaurant. They end up opening their restaurant across the street from another restaurant, a French restaurant run by Madam Mallory, who doesn't mess around! The son of the Indian family, Hassan, dreams of becoming a professional chef. His goal is to work in Madam Mallory's kitchen. Of course she refuses in the beginning because his restaurant is her competition, but after tasting his delicious omelette, she agrees. Hassan's talent ends up elevating Madam's restaurant from a one star restaurant to a two star one. (In France, "One star is good, two stars is amazing, three is only for the gods.") After that, news of Hassan spreads through France. He's offered jobs in Paris, and rises to fame as the world's new hot chef. My favorite line in this movie is when Hassan's father asks Madam Mallory, "Is he as good as I think he is?" and Madam answers, "Better." I've always wanted someone to say that about me!
I would love to see this movie again. It's really sweet, and very uplifting. After watching it, all I could think was, "I'm hungry!" And then the second thought I had was, "That was a REALLY good movie!" And of course: food!
2. Birdman
I do want Alejandro Inarritu to win for best director tonight. He deserves it. In the past, I was never the biggest fan of Inarritu's work. To me, his films were good because of his editor and actors, not necessarily because of his direction. It seemed like his style was to film everything, and as much as possible, with not much direction or vision, letting the actors improvise, letting the camera roll and linger, and then taking all the material to the editing room where it would be carefully constructed into a cohesive film. Birdman, however, is a triumph! I'm actually very impressed that Inarritu pulled this off. The filming of this movie required EXTREMELY specific precision, something I never noticed in his style before. With the "one long take" effect, you can't really "fix it in post" with this one!
Furthermore, all the performances were exceptional. I'm pretty sure Michael Keaton will win tonight and I believe he deserves it. I didn't see The Theory of Everything, but Eddie Redmayne is still young; he has a lot of time to build his career. Keaton, on the other hand, has been around for YEARS, and he really knocked it out of the park with this one. Ed Norton was exceptional as well, but, you know, he's up against J.K. Simmons...so...yeah. Emma Stone was fabulous as well! She won't win, either. Her nomination was more of a "Keep it up, you!" acknowledgment. Inarritu, though! Take it home, buddy!
1. Chef
Chef is a refreshing joy of a little movie! It's a very low key film to put as my number one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's about a chef, Carl, who is sick of making the same dishes set by the restaurant owner every night in the kitchen. After getting in a hilarious online tiff with a food critic, followed by an even more hilarious in person melt down, Carl is fired and forced to figure out what to do on his own. He decides to start his own food truck, and spends the summer driving his new business across the country, bonding with his son in the process.
This movie got some complaints for being boring since "nothing happens." I'm glad "nothing" happens in the film. Actually, the whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking in the back of my head, "Oh my god, something horrible is going to happen like the truck is going to catch on fire or something for the sake of drama and having 'something' happen, and the movie will be ruined!" But "nothing" happened! And I rejoiced! The film smartly keeps the story simple and the drama to a minimum. The drama in this movie doesn't come from action, it comes from the relationships between the characters. And of course: food!
My thoughts on the other nominated films:
Boyhood: Boyhood took 12 years to film, and it felt like it took 12 years to watch! I enjoyed the first half very much, but once the boy became a teenager I lost interest, and the film went downhill for me. I hope it doesn't win Best Picture tonight. The film doesn't feel special enough to be a Best Picture winner.
The Grand Budapest Hotel: I did not love this movie. I'm not sure that I even liked it all that much. I feel like Wes Anderson out Wes Anderson-ed himself and the universe imploded. That's what it felt like watching this movie.
American Sniper: I didn't see it.
The Imitation Game: I didn't see it.
The Theory of Everything: I didn't see it.
Whiplash: I didn't see it.
What were your favorite films of the year? Who are you rooting for tonight?
Here are my top ten favorite films from last year!
10. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Cesar, noooo!!!! I was surprised how much I liked this movie. I was expecting to feel meh about it, but I totally dug it! It has very smart social commentary about how and why societies have enemies and fight wars. Paranoia and fear, man! That's how it starts. You wouldn't think a film about talking apes could be so deep, but it is!
9. X-Men Days of Future Past
Fassbender!!!! Mmmmm...yes. I fell in love with him as Magneto in First Class, and my love for him only grows bigger and bigger with each film I see of his! I said in my last entry that I am suffering from super hero fatigue, and I am, but some how the X-Men movies NEVER disappoint me. (I even like X-Men 3 for crying out loud!) I think I like the X-Men movies because they are at heart always about the characters first, rather than the action surrounding defeating the big bad. And I love how this new franchise went back into the past to show the relationship between Magneto and Professor X.
8. Obvious Child
FINALLY! A positive movie about abortion! (Bet you never thought anyone would ever say that sentence!) But seriously, I am bored of movies that have a storyline where the woman has an unwanted pregnancy, wants to get an abortion, and then backs out. I'm pro choice (obviously) and I think abortions are more common than anyone thinks. In fact, I bet if every woman who's ever had an abortion suddenly started glowing bright blue, people would be SHOCKED at how many women are glowing blue.
I think that Obvious Child paints a very accurate picture about what it's like to be a woman in this day and age and to find yourself in a less than desirable situation. I feel this movie needed to be made, and needs to show the anti-abortionists that women who get abortions are not horrible, selfish, baby killers. They are normal, every day women. I thought this movie was great. I thought the lead girl, Jenny Slate, gave an excellent and honest performance.
7. 22 Jump Street
Like 21 Jump Street a few years back, 22 Jump Street is hilarious! I love how the movie mocked how sequels always repeat the plot of the original movie by actually repeating the plot of the original 21 Jump Street movie. The film is fully aware of its irony and plays along with it. Again, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are laugh out loud funny! Ice Cube's role is expanded and oh my god, he had me rolling on the floor! Hands down, funniest movie of the year!
6. Gone Girl
I had been looking forward to Gone Girl ever since I heard Ben and Fincher were teaming up! Then I read the book and I became even more excited! "How are they ever going to film this movie???" I thought! So many twists and turns! No way they could make a movie that's true to the book and just as suspenseful! Oh, but they did! I should always have faith in Fincher. Actually I was surprised at how close to the book the movie is! I was pretty sure changes would be made (especially since there were all those rumors about how the ending was going to be different). But the movie is pretty much exactly like the book, and it works!
I also loved how the movie was a bit of a satire, yes? It's a satire on marriage. You know how married people are always like, "I'm gonna kill my spouse!" Well, Gone Girl takes that to a whole new, super effed up level! I absolutely loved it!
I want Rosamund Pike to win tonight because her performance was creepy as hell, but she won't win, sadly. I wish Fincher was nominated but he was lost among the crowd.
5. Selma
I know I said I feel pretty blase about this year's Oscar race, but I will say that David Oyelowo was totally ROBBED for a nomination! He was incredible as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! The scenes where he was giving speeches gave me chills! And I liked that King was portrayed as a man with flaws in the film, rather than putting him up on a pedestal like a god. Out of all the movies I saw last year, Selma was the only one that took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. Parts of it were hard to watch, and parts of it were totally inspiring and uplifting.
4. Laggies
I'm not sure if this movie was given a wide release or not. I remember seeing trailers for it, but then I don't remember it ever being in theaters. Either way, it's a great little movie. Keira Knightley (who I always love!) plays 28 year old Megan, who has lost direction in life. Her best friends from high school have grown up and matured into very serious adults, her high school boyfriend, who she is still in a relationship with ten years later, is on a different wavelength than her, and she just discovered that her dad, who she absolutely adores, cheated on her mom. She feels and acts like an 18 year old who has no idea what to do with her life, and then befriends an 18 year old. Her relationship with a high school girl helps Megan find herself and direction in life. I enjoyed Laggies very much. I thought it was really cute and I found myself identifying with Megan: being an adult but not feeling like one, growing apart from high school friends, and trying to find my spirit animal.
3. The Hundred Foot Journey
I wasn't expecting to like this movie as much as I did, but I ended up overjoyed after watching it! You know the term "feel good movie"? The Hundred Foot Journey is SO that! It's about an Indian family who moves to France to open up a restaurant. They end up opening their restaurant across the street from another restaurant, a French restaurant run by Madam Mallory, who doesn't mess around! The son of the Indian family, Hassan, dreams of becoming a professional chef. His goal is to work in Madam Mallory's kitchen. Of course she refuses in the beginning because his restaurant is her competition, but after tasting his delicious omelette, she agrees. Hassan's talent ends up elevating Madam's restaurant from a one star restaurant to a two star one. (In France, "One star is good, two stars is amazing, three is only for the gods.") After that, news of Hassan spreads through France. He's offered jobs in Paris, and rises to fame as the world's new hot chef. My favorite line in this movie is when Hassan's father asks Madam Mallory, "Is he as good as I think he is?" and Madam answers, "Better." I've always wanted someone to say that about me!
I would love to see this movie again. It's really sweet, and very uplifting. After watching it, all I could think was, "I'm hungry!" And then the second thought I had was, "That was a REALLY good movie!" And of course: food!
2. Birdman
I do want Alejandro Inarritu to win for best director tonight. He deserves it. In the past, I was never the biggest fan of Inarritu's work. To me, his films were good because of his editor and actors, not necessarily because of his direction. It seemed like his style was to film everything, and as much as possible, with not much direction or vision, letting the actors improvise, letting the camera roll and linger, and then taking all the material to the editing room where it would be carefully constructed into a cohesive film. Birdman, however, is a triumph! I'm actually very impressed that Inarritu pulled this off. The filming of this movie required EXTREMELY specific precision, something I never noticed in his style before. With the "one long take" effect, you can't really "fix it in post" with this one!
Furthermore, all the performances were exceptional. I'm pretty sure Michael Keaton will win tonight and I believe he deserves it. I didn't see The Theory of Everything, but Eddie Redmayne is still young; he has a lot of time to build his career. Keaton, on the other hand, has been around for YEARS, and he really knocked it out of the park with this one. Ed Norton was exceptional as well, but, you know, he's up against J.K. Simmons...so...yeah. Emma Stone was fabulous as well! She won't win, either. Her nomination was more of a "Keep it up, you!" acknowledgment. Inarritu, though! Take it home, buddy!
1. Chef
Chef is a refreshing joy of a little movie! It's a very low key film to put as my number one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's about a chef, Carl, who is sick of making the same dishes set by the restaurant owner every night in the kitchen. After getting in a hilarious online tiff with a food critic, followed by an even more hilarious in person melt down, Carl is fired and forced to figure out what to do on his own. He decides to start his own food truck, and spends the summer driving his new business across the country, bonding with his son in the process.
This movie got some complaints for being boring since "nothing happens." I'm glad "nothing" happens in the film. Actually, the whole time I was watching it, I kept thinking in the back of my head, "Oh my god, something horrible is going to happen like the truck is going to catch on fire or something for the sake of drama and having 'something' happen, and the movie will be ruined!" But "nothing" happened! And I rejoiced! The film smartly keeps the story simple and the drama to a minimum. The drama in this movie doesn't come from action, it comes from the relationships between the characters. And of course: food!
My thoughts on the other nominated films:
Boyhood: Boyhood took 12 years to film, and it felt like it took 12 years to watch! I enjoyed the first half very much, but once the boy became a teenager I lost interest, and the film went downhill for me. I hope it doesn't win Best Picture tonight. The film doesn't feel special enough to be a Best Picture winner.
The Grand Budapest Hotel: I did not love this movie. I'm not sure that I even liked it all that much. I feel like Wes Anderson out Wes Anderson-ed himself and the universe imploded. That's what it felt like watching this movie.
American Sniper: I didn't see it.
The Imitation Game: I didn't see it.
The Theory of Everything: I didn't see it.
Whiplash: I didn't see it.
What were your favorite films of the year? Who are you rooting for tonight?
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