In Our Humble Opinion
So when I saw the list of nominees for Best Picture I was a little surprised but then again I really wasn't. This years pictures are loaded with Oscar bait like The Artist, Tree of Life and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. But guess what? I'm not a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and I'm pretty sure there's no fountain Coke or fruit punch Kool-Aid in these movies. Which mean's I'm here to enlighten you on the three best movies of the year, one of which has been nominated for best picture (but doesn't stand a chance to win) and the other two are up for a combined 6 Academy Award (mostly technical stuff like sound editing and sound mixing).
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - (5 Academy Awards, 87% Rotten Tomatoes)
The highly anticipated U.S. version of the Swedish best-selling novel did not disappoint. I read the book and had seen the original version of the film but thought that the U.S. version was far superior in every way, especially the lead actress, Rooney Mara. It's always interesting to see a movie adaptation of a popular book because the people who have read the book go into the movie with pre-existing expectations that usually are not met. I must say though that this was one of the best book-to-screen translations I have ever seen. Directed by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, Social Network) the movie took on a darker tone that Fincher is famous for. What struck me was how he turned the location, a Swedish island owned by one family, into a character in and of itself (which you can see in the trailer above). Fincher also turned to his old friend, Trent Reznor to provide a chilling soundtrack that sets the tone for the movie. The Academy failed to recognize this as a Best Picture nominee but the movie did receive 5 nominations, mostly technical as well as Best Actress for Rooney Mara. While the subject and certain scenes are very heavy and difficult to watch, this movie is incredibly gripping and fast paced and one that I could rewatch multiple times, the sign of a great movie.
The highly anticipated U.S. version of the Swedish best-selling novel did not disappoint. I read the book and had seen the original version of the film but thought that the U.S. version was far superior in every way, especially the lead actress, Rooney Mara. It's always interesting to see a movie adaptation of a popular book because the people who have read the book go into the movie with pre-existing expectations that usually are not met. I must say though that this was one of the best book-to-screen translations I have ever seen. Directed by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, Social Network) the movie took on a darker tone that Fincher is famous for. What struck me was how he turned the location, a Swedish island owned by one family, into a character in and of itself (which you can see in the trailer above). Fincher also turned to his old friend, Trent Reznor to provide a chilling soundtrack that sets the tone for the movie. The Academy failed to recognize this as a Best Picture nominee but the movie did receive 5 nominations, mostly technical as well as Best Actress for Rooney Mara. While the subject and certain scenes are very heavy and difficult to watch, this movie is incredibly gripping and fast paced and one that I could rewatch multiple times, the sign of a great movie.
Midnight In Paris - (4 Academy Award Nominations, 93% Rotten Tomatoes)
The second best movie of the year is about as opposite as you can get from Dragon Tattoo. This movie reunites Owen Wilson and Rachael McAdams from their Wedding Crasher's romance and that can't be a bad thing, I am a sucker for Rachael McAdams. The movie delves into time travel, but in a very subtle and unassuming manner. Wilson is a struggling novelist who magically gets transported to his favorite era in time, Paris in the 1920s, where he runs into such famous people as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso and Cole Porter. Written and directed by Woody Allen, this is the only movie of my 3 Best Movies to receive a Best Picture nomination. It has as slim of a chance at winning as the other 2 movies I mention here, but it should win Best Original Screenplay. With Allen providing the creative force, the movie is a little bit Annie Hall mixed with some Back to The Future and a dash of 500 Days of Summer. It is idealized and yet hopeful, warning everyone that the past may seem glamorous but to confuse nostalgia with real love is to walk a dangerous path. Like Ferris once said "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it".
Drive - (1 Academy Award Nomination, 93% Rotten Tomatoes)
In my humble opinion, Drive is the best movie of the year. Upon first viewing, I really liked this movie, but it took a while for all the idiosyncrasies to sink in. I watched this movie for the second time and realized it was the best movie of the year. From the stylish cinematography to the pulsating European electro-pop soundtrack everything about this movie worked. In its silence and shadows, Drive is every bit the noir masterpiece as Chinatown or The Usual Suspects. And yet, at its thrilling and action packed peak, the film rivals any traditional chase film or Tarantino violence that has been put to screen. Ryan Gosling delivers a captivating performance as Driver, a character who barely has more than 60 lines of dialogue the entire movie. Also delivering amazing performances are Brian Cranston and Albert Brooks, who got shafted on a Best Supporting Actor nomination. But what I liked about the movie and the character of Driver is that the reason he got into trouble was that he broke his rule and got involved with the girl next door. He fell in love with a married woman, and decided to help her newly paroled husband which turned out to be a bad decision. You may not agree with me the first time you watch this movie, but give it a second viewing and allow all the subtleties to emerge and you will be left wanting to rewatch this movie again and again. The Academy only deemed it worthy of 1 award, Sound Editing, which is a crime in my opinion. But as usual, the most progressive and best films are usually not recognized in their time.
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So that does it for this entry. As usual, you can see a trailer for these movies by clicking on their titles. I stand by my opinion that these are by far the 3 best movies of the year. If anyone has any opinions or recommendations please feel free to leave a comment, as I am always interesting in viewing new movies. Later this week, most likely Thursday, I will release my 3rd Annual Oscar Predictions as this Sunday is the big show. Watching the Oscars is one of my favorite events of the year, which may seem a little strange, but being the cinephile that I am it's only fitting that I love the movie's biggest night.
So until next time, as always.... STAY SWEET!
The second best movie of the year is about as opposite as you can get from Dragon Tattoo. This movie reunites Owen Wilson and Rachael McAdams from their Wedding Crasher's romance and that can't be a bad thing, I am a sucker for Rachael McAdams. The movie delves into time travel, but in a very subtle and unassuming manner. Wilson is a struggling novelist who magically gets transported to his favorite era in time, Paris in the 1920s, where he runs into such famous people as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Picasso and Cole Porter. Written and directed by Woody Allen, this is the only movie of my 3 Best Movies to receive a Best Picture nomination. It has as slim of a chance at winning as the other 2 movies I mention here, but it should win Best Original Screenplay. With Allen providing the creative force, the movie is a little bit Annie Hall mixed with some Back to The Future and a dash of 500 Days of Summer. It is idealized and yet hopeful, warning everyone that the past may seem glamorous but to confuse nostalgia with real love is to walk a dangerous path. Like Ferris once said "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it".
In my humble opinion, Drive is the best movie of the year. Upon first viewing, I really liked this movie, but it took a while for all the idiosyncrasies to sink in. I watched this movie for the second time and realized it was the best movie of the year. From the stylish cinematography to the pulsating European electro-pop soundtrack everything about this movie worked. In its silence and shadows, Drive is every bit the noir masterpiece as Chinatown or The Usual Suspects. And yet, at its thrilling and action packed peak, the film rivals any traditional chase film or Tarantino violence that has been put to screen. Ryan Gosling delivers a captivating performance as Driver, a character who barely has more than 60 lines of dialogue the entire movie. Also delivering amazing performances are Brian Cranston and Albert Brooks, who got shafted on a Best Supporting Actor nomination. But what I liked about the movie and the character of Driver is that the reason he got into trouble was that he broke his rule and got involved with the girl next door. He fell in love with a married woman, and decided to help her newly paroled husband which turned out to be a bad decision. You may not agree with me the first time you watch this movie, but give it a second viewing and allow all the subtleties to emerge and you will be left wanting to rewatch this movie again and again. The Academy only deemed it worthy of 1 award, Sound Editing, which is a crime in my opinion. But as usual, the most progressive and best films are usually not recognized in their time.
--
So that does it for this entry. As usual, you can see a trailer for these movies by clicking on their titles. I stand by my opinion that these are by far the 3 best movies of the year. If anyone has any opinions or recommendations please feel free to leave a comment, as I am always interesting in viewing new movies. Later this week, most likely Thursday, I will release my 3rd Annual Oscar Predictions as this Sunday is the big show. Watching the Oscars is one of my favorite events of the year, which may seem a little strange, but being the cinephile that I am it's only fitting that I love the movie's biggest night.
So until next time, as always.... STAY SWEET!
I saw the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I thought it was great. I need to watch the US Version and I need to also watch Midnight in Paris.
ReplyDeleteI watched Drive on the plane and Caz---for once I have to disagree a bit. I didn't think it was as good as I was expecting it to be. Feel free to unleash a temper tantrum and convince me why I should re watch it again.
“Have you ever heard of the story of the scorpion and the frog?” This line was spoken by Gosling's character towards the end of the film. Many people may have missed it as it at first seemed like a throw-away line. However, I am aware of the story so I immediately starting putting two and two together and suddenly, the film made a whole lot more sense. Here is the basis of the story:
DeleteThe Scorpion and the Frog is a fable about a scorpion asking a frog to carry him across the river. The frog is afraid of being stung during the trip, but the scorpion argues that if it stung the frog, the frog would sink and the scorpion would then drown too. The frog agrees and begins carrying the scorpion but midway across the river, the scorpion does indeed sting the frog – dooming them both. When asked why, the scorpion points out that this is its nature.
Hence the scorpion jacket. By applying the reference you learn that that's the nature of the driver. He shouldn't help or go on the job with Standard, but that's his life. Rewatch and think of Gosling as perfect wheelman who breaks his rules and suffers the consequences. Hope that helps. If not I would gladly grab an adult beverage and discuss it further
Extremely well articulated Ryan. I will do you the honors of re-watching this movie and report back with my findings.
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