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
Friday, 16 January 2009
Out this week (16/01/2009)
There are 10 films out this week, but there's no real competition to my recommendation of The Wrestler. I doubt it needs any introduction from me, containing as it does one of the most hyped performances of he last 5 years - the return of Mickey Rourke. If this doesn't appeal then you could try A Christmas Tale (highly regarded French film) or Will Smith saving lives in Seven Pounds.
Beverley Hills Chihuahua
Can you imagine the pitch meeting for this film. A talking pampered chihuahua needs to get back to LA from Mexico. And someone paid for it. Saying that it has made lots of cash so someone must like it.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Boogie
Romanian film about a man relaxing for one last weekend of drink, drugs and prostitutes before returning to his wife and son to be a devoted husband and father. Bleakish.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Chandni Chowk to China
The first Bollywood film to include kung fu moves, plot based on a simple case of mistaken identity. Can't find any reviews on the net so difficult to get excited.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
A Christmas Tale
Arnaud Desplechin's dramedy about a family christmas stars Catherine Deneuve (still looking gorgeous even when ravaged by cancer) and Matthieu Amalric. Expect long hidden secrets to be unveiled and differing tones throughout the film.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Clubbed
Based on a true story about a factory worker who becomes a bouncer in a hard-as-nails rave scene and writes a book about his experiences. Filmed not far from where I live.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Hansel and Gretel
Korean take of classic Grimm fairytale. Ptobably doesn't end happily.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
My Bloody Valentine - 3D
People who like to watch horror films where picks fly our of the screen at you will no doubt want to watch this horror with picks flying out of the screen.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
Seven Pounds
Box office behemoth Will Smith rejoins Gabriele Muccino (Pursuit of Happyness) for tale of remdemption and loss. Pretty lukewarm reviews but it's Will Smith and I feel I ought to keep him as the worlds box office champ.
Watch the trailer:
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Villu
A brutal Bollywood movie with Joeseph Vijay and Nayanthara about revenge and murder. The poster, which someone doesn't reflect this plot at all, can be found here. Nice shirt.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●○○○○○○○○
The Wrestler
Masterly directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei in career rejuvenating roles this is the sort of film that must be seen.
Watch the trailer:
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Venice Film Festival
The 65th Venice International Film Festival released it's full line up yesterday evening. You can visit their website for the full line-up here. Or gaze at the generic picture of the city to our right.
The Venice film festival is becoming quite important for Oscar watchers, at least in the acting categories. Each year for the past 6 either the best actor or actress from Venice has scored an Oscar nomination, although only Helen Mirren as the Queen hs managed to hold that buzz through to the main prize.
This year isn't quite as star filled as most years, and there are no British films in competition (boo!), but there are still some performances that may be worth looking out for.
The Wrestler
The new Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) film was due in 2009 but I guess he's already finished it. It stars Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei both of whom got some recent buzz that didn't quite result in an oscar nod (Sin City and Before the Devil knows you're Dead respectively). Maybe some love for this will help them. Personally I'm not sure about this one - after all how exciting can wrestling be?
The Burning Plain
Director Guillermo Arriega is probably better known for his writing (Amores Perros, Babel) but he's rustled up a fine mother daughter relationship drama with Kim Basinger and Charlize Theron.
The Hurt Locker
Another Iraq film - with Ralph Fienes playing "Mercenary Team leader". IMDB is so informative.
Rachel Getting Married
Jonathan Demme is hoping for a return to form with this black comedy. Remember he used to be good at these, see Married to the Mob and Melvin and Howard if you don't believe me. He's brought the stunning Anne Hathaway along for the ride.
Inju, La Bete dans l'Ombre
Or Inju, The Beast of the Shadows. This does not appear to be a horror movie. A title like that for a non-horror shows so much chutzpah how can we not want to see it.
Burn after Reading
Opening the festival, but out of competition this Coen production. I may have mentioned that I'm looking forward to it before. In fact now the Dark Knight's out of the way it's the film I'm most looking forward to in the remainder of 2008.
Here's Brad looking a bit confused:
So, what do you think? Will Venice hit on another good performance or has it's run ended? Will one of the above get a mention - or maybe something I haven't noticed? Is Brad more attractive when doing a hurt puppy impression? Feel free to comment.
