Oscar Predictions!

So, I could fill out an entire ballot, but really I only care about 7 categories, and so I’ll limit my ballot appropriately.  So, the way to read this is to note that the first column is who/what I want to win, and the second pertains to who I think will actually win.  So, do note, because they often differ, I just randomly guess at who will actually win, so take it for what it is…

Academy Award Category	My Vote	My Prediction
Best Picture	Toy Story 3	Social Network
Best Actor	James Franco	Colin Firth
Best Actress	Natalie Portman	Annette Bening
Best Supporting Actor	Geoffrey Rush	Jeremy Renner
Best Supporting Actress	Hailee Steinfeld	Amy Adams
Best Director	Darren Aronofsky	David Fincher
Cinematography	Inception	Black Swan
Adapted Screenplay	The Social Network	127 Hours
Original Screenplay	The Kids are all Right	The King’s Speech

Dogtooth: F***ing weird

Finn, of one of my favorite shows Glee, once stated it beautifully: “I have no idea what’s going on in this script, and it’s not in a cool Inception kind of way.”  I sat confused and disturbed for an hour and a half, and it really doesn’t help that it’s filmed in Greek.  Although, I’m not sure if the characters were speaking English it would have helped one bit.  So, long story short, this film is a warped tale of a family’s stab at utopia where the parents make up the rules of obedience and fun.  In the end, it all goes awry and the system fails, but in this case, I’m rooting for the kids; their parents are effing weirdos.

Verdict: Only if you want to be mentally disturbed (Skip it)

The Fighter: Good Look

I think this film would be more appropriately titled The Fighters, as it showcases the battles both of the brothers have to face but hey, that’s just semantics.  This is solid character story about two lives daring to be extraordinary… either chemically induced or otherwise.  The movie is full of the traditional ups and downs of overcoming any and all obstacles, including an overprotective and kind of crazy family.  There may have been some times in the film where I had no idea where it was going, but it got there eventually, which is all that matters. You definitely leave with that warm feeling of happiness. 

Verdict: Enjoy the ride (go for it)

Exit through the Gift Shop: Ironically funny

I definitely use the term “funny” loosely.  This film opens up the awesome (… and totally illegal) world of street art.  Following some of the most infamous artists, like Shepard Fairey, this film takes a peek into the newest trend in the art community.  From traditional and tacky graffiti to actually amazing and profound pieces, this film takes you through it all, ultimately landing on the rise of a truly untalented artist.  The way the general public then interacts with the resulting art, is both enlightening and terrifying, like a clown mirror.  Most people truly are a bunch of mindless droids. Though I must say, I liked the work too...

Verdict: An absolute MUST (See it)

Wasteland: literally artistic

Trash is pretty much gross; it smells, leaks, and can only bud on itself; it’s total waste.  But someone’s got to manage it; and this is their story.  This documentary sheds an artistic light on the lives of the people who mine the world’s largest landfill to find the few recyclable materials to sell off.  Just like the roles they play in Rio, artist Vik Muniz takes their lives and recycles them into works of art.  The story of how is truly moving and a great view into how art adds value, and showcases some awe-inspiring pieces.  Though, it really did made me squeamish seeing that much trash. It was like the Alps of trash…

Verdict: You'll appreciate it even if you only kind of like art (Discount)

JUMBLE: "Country Strong" becomes "The long road home" (musical)

Similar to how Chicago is about murderous lying women, The Long Road Home would be the story of a recovering alcoholic singer who meets her 3-show comeback tour with little dignity or grace.  After the first show, her extramarital lover leaves her.  The second, her husband.  With every show she gets drunker and drunker, and the numbers get feistier on and off stage.  She fights with all she’s got against everyone around her, until no one’s left and she takes her own life, as she lands heartily on rock bottom, ending as a somber tale with catchy yet slightly depressing tunes.

Changes:

• More musical numbers
• No side character stories (outside of how they interact with the main character)
• Ignoring a two steps forward-one step back recovery plan (the whole movie is about relapse)

The Green Hornet: Sufficiently entertaining

I really like buddy movies where the two friends probably should have never been friends in the first place... and would probably shank each other in real life. This film mimics the Chris Tucker/ Jackie Chan relationship from "Rush Hour," only to substitute an offensive black guy with an obnoxious white guy, and add talents to the asian (instead of just kung-fu skills). While the 3D effects rarely enhanced the action scenes themselves (in fact, the action scenes rarely helped the movie), the writing and acting itself was decent... though not enough to supplement the $15 price tag.
Verdict: 3D doesn't do discount (Rent)

No Strings Attached: pleasantly romantic

It's almost like they got the formula right for a chic flic that speaks to a man. Like adapting the Wedding Crashers for female characters. While they would then date in regular and non-elaborate ways, they keep the honest (...and crude) banter you would expect from a bunch of dudes. This movie, on multiple occasions, defies the traditional dating roles and does it in a fun and entertaining way. With an assortment of quirky side characters, this is pretty much fun for all. Adults. Between the ages of 18 and 35.
Verdict: Recommended date movie (see it)

The King's Speech: A triumph

Totally worth the pain it inflicted. It is really hard for me to see someone struggle to articulate their thoughts… whether it is due to a social awkwardness or a physical/mental handicap. I must tip my hat to Colin Firth for turning an awful experience like speech therapy into a pleasant journey of a man becoming a king. And Helen Bonham-Carter’s portrayal of the Queen Mum made me wish she was my mother. Or that I was British. Though that's just me... my friend who I saw it with commented that "it was definitely for old people. Like, I'd take my grandma to go see that."
Verdict: Pay the full price (Worthy investment)

Country Strong: Hot mess

I like Gweneth Paltrow. I like musicals. I even like country music. However, I do not like bad stories. While I did not find the acting bad in this movie, I found the script to be terrible... similar to watching a dramatization in an infomercial: like, someone who can't chop onions with a regular knife. It took an alcoholic's journey back to normalcy (which can be interesting enough on its own) and complicated it with ridiculous relationships of love, lust, and glory. Building drama into an already dramatic story rarely is done right... it just comes off overly dramatic. I don't like it in people and I definitely don't like it in films.
Verdict: Wait for Network (Only if it's free)