I am a big fan of movies so I love the Academy Awards no matter how boring the show often gets. I will probably have another post or two before the show on Sunday but for now I figured I would go on and give my take on the Best Picture category.
2014 Academy Awards
Looks like it will be a big year for Gravity, it will probably win, and that sucks. I thought it was great movie making but not a great movie. Turn this story and script in to something on earth and no one is talking about it. The story was predictable and boring, if not for the effects and visuals I would have fallen asleep. (Update : I have since decided 12 Years a Slave takes this one and that is probably for the best.)
But for your entertainment here is my quick take on the nominees, feel free to discuss.
American Hustle : I thought it was a bad comedy, they will be showing this movie at midnight screenings some day with high school and college kids dressing up as their favorite characters and acting out the parts as badly as the actors.
Captain Phillips : solid storytelling, a really good movie, the nomination is their win.
Dallas Buyers Club : pedestrian storytelling with, of course, two of the best performances in movie history. Who knew McConaughey had the talent to be a sleazeball and a hero and make you laugh and cry and simply break your heart all in one performance. His and Leto’s performances are both simply sublime.
Gravity : wake me up after they collect the best picture statue.
Her : a sweet little movie that makes you think just a bit, that’s it, not a best picture nominee.
Nebraska : brilliant, sublime, movie making at its best, on my planet this wins best picture.
Philomena : have not seen it, will before Sunday night (and will update this post), but I am guessing the nomination is the win for them.
12 Years a Slave : a great and very important story makes for a good movie but not a best picture.
The Wolf of Wall Street : wow, I simply want to punch Scorsese in the face. This movie screams potential greatness at the top of its lungs but feels like Scorsese just gave up on it like a kid figuring out he can not put the puzzle together so he gives up and knocks the table over.
Enjoy the show, go see a movie.
The Consummate Loner 