Like most self-obsessed actors I dream of one day being accepted by the industry as one of their own, and eventually being invited to join the Academy. (I know, I know, but I can dream). Part of that dream would mean having my own ballot, my opportunity to give my opinion of the best performances and best films of the year.
Well, until AMPAS notice me I guess the only place I can say what I think is right here. So, starting today (and for the next 5 days) I'll give you my votes. Of course they won't follow the Academy rules - I'm using the films I've seen and not just the ones eligible for this years which means 15 of the actual nominees from last year have the opportnity to appear on my ballot.
Like the voters I don't have to explain myself, however I will give a sentence or two to explain my choice. Feel free to argue in the comments.
1. Marion Cotillard - Nine. Marion has proved in both her films this year that she is a singular talent. She really gets to show off her range both vocally and performance wise in Nine, and the way she responds to the audition tapes is jaw-droppingly real.
2. Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Last years Oscar winner comes a very close second for me. Technically the third (or maybe even the fourth) billed actress she is a force everyone talks about and responds to, so much so that the film wilts without her.
3. Melanie Lynskey - Away We Go. Like most of the characters in Sam Mendes' latest film Lynskey only gets a short time to make an impact, but in her scenes as she gradually gets drunker we see the happy facade seep away to reveal the emptiness inside. Witness the pole dance and tell me you don't know everything about how she feels.
4. Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler. Continuing the theme of pole dancing, Tomei hits her usual high marks as a stripper confronting her own limits. Rourke may have taken most of the applause, but without Tomei backing him up we wouldn't have cared for his character.
5. Blanca Portillo - Broken Embraces. The character drifts between guarded sarcasm and over-zealous confessionals which in lesser hands could have been seen as terribly inconsistent. However Portillo shows the tension inside of her in every scene.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
2009 in Review - Best Supporting Actress
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Out this Week (06/02/09)
Very close call this week, with 3 big acting type films out this week. Doubt is easily third, but that leaves Woody Allen and David Fincher duking out to see who's tops. But only one of these films is showing where I can see it so watching Brad Pitt age backwards is this weeks recommendation.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Brad Pitt ages backwards in this 3 hour adaptation of an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story. It's managed to pick up 13 Oscar nods, including best picture, surely that's saying something. And did I mention that Brad Pitt ages backwards.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Doubt
Filmed version of compelling stage success about a nun who suspects a Priest of abusing a boy but has no proof. Almost unique in this day and age in that it allows the audience to make up their mind as to the guilt of Father Flynn.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●○○
The Good, The Bad, The Weird
Korean Western, essentially a remake of The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Sounds like a great idea, and 1930s Manchuria always makes for an interesting backdrop, but I hear the film is uneven.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
He's Just Not That into You
All the advertising makes a big deal of the fantastic cast of Ken Kwapis romdramcom, but I just not into Jennifer Aniston, Justin Long and Drew Barrymore. (sorry)
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Naan Kadavul
Tamil film about cannibalism. Written and directed by Bala, includes a Blind Beggar Girl, so that should be interesting.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Punisher: War Zone
It's saying something when Tom Jane is too expensive/ busy wahing his hair to return to this franchise. Director Lexi Alexander's last film was the utterly unconving Elijah Wood football hooligan pic. Really the stars have not aligned for this.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
The Secret of Moonacre
Kiddy fantasy films are still being made, even though they're rarely successful. The UK Film council helped pay for this too. I could literally spit blood.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
This weeks other big oscar film, and the other Scarlett Johannsson release. Woody Allen's Spanish holiday looks like a delightful return to form, and who wouldn't want to be asked by Javier Bardem for a weekedn of art and sex. Closest cinema to me showing this: 163 miles away (Barnet).
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Trailers - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Can someone explain why there is a difference in release dates in different countries. No actually that's too simplistic; what I need to know is why release dates are so random. Why in the UK do we get Iron Man, The Women and Elegy on the same day as in the US, whereas we wait 1 week for the Dark Night, 5 weeks for Burn after Reading and 10 weeks for the British film Brideshead Revisited.
Not to mention why have you been able to see Vicky Cristina Barcelona for 2 weeks and we don't even have a release date yet?
