Well, well, well, this years' 26th Oscars should be an fun evening... certain to deliver many surprises, with an emerging close race between best picture and best actor categories. Gee, even Toronto's Mayor Rob Ford supposedly has been asked to attend Tinstletown's movie star bash as a guest of Jimmy Kimmel. Hmmm, how to get Rob red carpet ready?
Sunday, March 2, 2014
My Oscar Night Predictions 2014 !
With the arrival of the 86th Academy Awards today, Sunday March 2, 2014, a horse race for best film, and best actor in particular are hovering with anticipation of the actual final result; WHICH man, and WHICH film will triumph?? It appears the bevy of awards will not be draped onto any one dominant film, rather most likely split between 12 Years a Slave, Gravity, American Hustle, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Gravity, has been selected as top choice for many as winning the coveted picture of the year. This unique film will likely harvest the brunt of the technical awards; such as Film Editing, Cinematography, and Visual Effects. This film is also a strong contender to win Best Director, with Alfonso Cuaron at the helm, displaying his revolutionary prowess delivering a spellbinding outer space drama/ thriller starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.
12 Years a Slave, however, I am hoping will conquer, and haul in the Best Picture prize after all is said and done. The acting is superb, and the storyline boasts a verisimilitude, historical societal horror. So you see, a nail-biter finish this year!
Ellen DeGeneres following a seven-year hiatus from hosting duties for this spectacle, has once again accepted head honcho duties, certain to dance and deliver her excellent quirky humour, and gentle quick wit.
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| Ellen DeGeneres, Oscar Host 2014 |
BEST MOTION PICTURE-FILM
Nominees: American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena, 12 Years a Slave, The Wolf of Wall Street
This riveting picture provides a candid view of slavery that embellished the US south. The true story is heart-wrenching and difficult to watch, however, the acting is so spellbinding that you hold your breath, and cringe, hoping the punishment subsides soon. You can't help but feel overwhelming empathy for the characters. Both leading actors in this film, Chitwetel Ejiofor portraying the story of Solomon Northup, as the lead slave, and Lupita Nyong'o in her role as the prized cotton picker—and chronically abused scapegoat, were both outstanding. They are deservedly best actor and supporting actress nominees.
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| Best Picture Nominee 12 Years a Slave |
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| Gravity, Best Picture Nominee |
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| Best Picture Nominee American Hustle |
LEADING ACTOR
Tight Race between Matthew and Leo.
Nominees: Christian Bale- American Hustle, Bruce Dern-Nebraska, Leonardo Di Caprio-The Wolf of Wall Street, Chiwetel Ejiofor- 12 Years a SlaveTight Race between Matthew and Leo.
Matthew McConaghy- Dallas Buyers Club
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| Matthew McConaghy;AIDS patient, Dallas Buyers Club |
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| Leo Di Caprio- To date has never won an Oscar, however has been nominated four times, and career has spanned two decades of exceptional, cativating roles |
My Pick:
The race is very close, and the fact that Leo has NEVER won an Oscar, he is long overdue for the golden hardware. He is most certainly deserving of a win this year, for his outlandish portrayal of a true to life, Wall Street Playboy, drug addict and crook. However, Matthew dramatically transforms himself portraying real-life Ron Woodroff, losing in excess of forty pounds to embrace the emanicated appearance of a long-term suffering AIDS patient, and delivers his survival struggles with precision.
LEADING ACTRESS
Nominees:
Amy Adams-American Hustle
Cate Blanchett-Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock-Gravity
Judy Dench-Philomena
Meryl Streep-August:Osage County
Matthew McConaghy,
Dallas Buyers Club
Dallas Buyers Club
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| Best Actor Nominee in his role in as a slave: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave |
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LEADING ACTRESSNominees:
Cate Blanchett-Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock-Gravity
Judy Dench-Philomena
Meryl Streep-August:Osage County
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| Sandra Bullock, in Gravity, Best Actress Nominee |
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| Cate Blanchett, in Blue Jasmine |
Cate Blanchett plays Jasmine, a depressed, lost, socialite, whose marriage has ended, husband committed suicide, and financial fortune: gone. She is desperate, and decides to move into her sister's modest apartment, who can offer her little. Her sister, Ginger, leads a simple, poor life bagging groceries, and typically gravitates toward loser men. Jasmine's despair, and hopelessness, is magnified by her past luxurious lifesyle, and now, is confronted with managing a strained life. She is pathetically forced to redkindle a strained relationship with her sister for survival's sake, regrettingly settles for a meagre job, and characteristically decides to exploit a new man in her life. Blanchett embraces her role with raw emotion and intensity, displaying unruly challenges and the reluctance to accept humility.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nominees:
Bradley Cooper-American Hustle
Barkhad Abdi-Captain Phillips
Michael Fassbender-12 Years A Slave
Jonah Hill-The Wolf of Wall Street
Jared Leto-Dallas Buyers Club
Jared Leto plays Rayon, the AIDS-afflicted business partner of Matthew McConaughey's Ron Woodroof, in Dallas Buyers Club. The flick is directed by Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée.
Leto, like Matthew, acheived a dramatic weight loss in preparation for his part, in order to completely immerse himself, into this riveting transgendered persona. Rayon is tender, and supportive of his buddy, the rather "rough 'round the edges", Ron. They each are fighting AIDS and form an interesting alliance, during their quest to secure access to the potentially life-saving drugs they each so desperately desire.
A surprise newcomer to the Oscar pool this year, is Barkhad Abdi, depicting a pirate, ship-hijacker in Captain Phillips. In his outstanding first acting gig, (he was recently umployed asa chauffeur, and cell phone store clerk.) Barkhad is formidable, and delivers an impressive capture of the crew and Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) with a seriousness, and ruthless grip. He contributes authentic appeal to the film, and is well-deserved in his Oscar nod.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Nominees:
Jennifer Lawrence-American Hustle, Lupita Nyong'o-12 Years A Slave, Sally Hawkins-Blue Jasmine, Julia Roberts-August:Osage County, June Squibb-Nebraska
Nominees:
Barkhad Abdi-Captain Phillips
Michael Fassbender-12 Years A Slave
Jonah Hill-The Wolf of Wall Street
Jared Leto-Dallas Buyers Club
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| Jared Leto, as Rayon, in Dallas Buyers Club |
My pick: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Jared Leto plays Rayon, the AIDS-afflicted business partner of Matthew McConaughey's Ron Woodroof, in Dallas Buyers Club. The flick is directed by Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée. Leto, like Matthew, acheived a dramatic weight loss in preparation for his part, in order to completely immerse himself, into this riveting transgendered persona. Rayon is tender, and supportive of his buddy, the rather "rough 'round the edges", Ron. They each are fighting AIDS and form an interesting alliance, during their quest to secure access to the potentially life-saving drugs they each so desperately desire.
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| Barkhad Abdi, and Tom Hanks, both Oscar Nominees for Captain Phillips |
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| Barkhad Abdi, formidable Somali Pirate, in Captain Phillips |
A surprise newcomer to the Oscar pool this year, is Barkhad Abdi, depicting a pirate, ship-hijacker in Captain Phillips. In his outstanding first acting gig, (he was recently umployed asa chauffeur, and cell phone store clerk.) Barkhad is formidable, and delivers an impressive capture of the crew and Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) with a seriousness, and ruthless grip. He contributes authentic appeal to the film, and is well-deserved in his Oscar nod.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Nominees:
My pick: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
Lupita Nyong'o is exceptional, and definately award worthy in her portrayal of a cotton-picker, and abused slave, in 12 Years a Slave. Her pathetic existence is only worthy due to fact she is the speediest cotton picker amongst the slaves. As such she is also the unfortunate choice of the ruthless plantation owner, who abuses her mercilessly, no matter how subservient she strives to be. This role, almost shocking, was her first acting job in a feature film.
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| Lupita Nyong'o; An abused cotton-picker slave, in 12 Years a Slave |
Nominees:
The Croods, Despicable Me 2, Ernest & Celestine, Frozen, The Wind Rises.
My Pick:
Frozen
What a chilly, yet heartwarming tale of a princess with unfortunate powers. Her struggles to find a place in her world after her parents are gone, are met with the enduring, yet non-permitted love from her sister, and frosty adventures in a far away land. The snowman is adorable, and adds humour, and camaderie when everyone seems to be alone with no friends to count on. The effects are outstanding, and the music is exceptional with it's song "Let it Go" a strong contender to win Best Original Song.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Baseball History Reveals its Star 42; The Jackie Robinson Story
42 is a riveting sports drama, recounting the struggles of a baseball icon. The acting is superb, and story an accurate portrayal of US society with its' unjust, historical teetering of acceptance of race and colour.
42....A Baseball Gem, and Historical
42 The Legend of Baseball Finally and Deservedly Told
The heroic account of Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player in
Major League Baseball is labelled with the number 42. Discovered by Brooklyn Dodgers’
General Manager Branch Rickey, Robinson receives the opportunity to dissolve the black barriers stubbornly traditional of professional baseball with his powerful play.
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, T.R. Knight
Directed by: Brian Helgeland
Written by: Brian Helgeland
Genre: Sport Biography, Drama
Released: April 2013
The tolerance of abuse that inevitably awaits him, is the key to clinching the ability stand strong against his internal instincts to pummel those who belittle him. However in the offer to play pro ball, his manager, Rickey, (Harrison Ford) firmly cautions he must have "the guts NOT to fight back " against the rentlentless taunting that he will likely endure.
Trailer
Dramatizing a sports
breakthrough envelopped in racial, social, political and attitudinal
meaning, this pet project of writer-director Brian Helgeland and producer Thomas Tull
zeroes in on the years 1945-47, concluding with Robinson's first year
in the majors. A
well-spoken young man with a lovely wife-to-be, Rachel (Nicole Beharie), and none of the wild traits of some of his teammates, he is as anxious to win as well as to integrate the league. He is assigned to the Montreal Royals farm team then attends Spring
training in Florida which is no picnic. His manager and other players shun
him, he's unwelcome at the team hotel, forcing him to stay in a private
home with a black family, and is warned by a passerby that some
fellas will be coming by to “do something” about him. As Rickey has
insisted, Robinson must speak only with his actions on the field of
play, and so he does, hitting a homer on opening day in Jersey City, an
accomplishment boldfaced and underlined by a script that insists upon
having his manager then comment, “He might be superhuman after all.”
Helgeland hammers
home every achievement and then puts a halo around it, as if anyone
won't get it otherwise. The racist resistance Robinson confronted is boldly and bluntly presented. Even his white Dodger teammates
prepared a petition refusing to play with a black man and of
Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman (Alan Tudyk) relentlessly taunted Robinson in the batter's box with the n-word and every other epithet he could muster to blurt at Jackie.
Therefore, after only one season in the minors, he makes his
big-league debut on April 15, 1947, at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. Forced
to play at the unfamiliar position of first base, Robinson inspires a
wide range of reactions: embraced by black fans, overwhelming skepticism from
reporters and the raw viciousness delivered on the part of some opponents who deliberately slide into him roughly, and otherwise try to take him out
of the game.
Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey does not disappoint. He delivers the expected lines of his character, the savvy
businessman penchant, with a love for cigars, as his dialogue cleverly moves the story forward. A key moment is
Robinson’s first game with white players. The field tension dominated between
Robinson and the pitcher as he continued to steal bases.
Robinson’s personal struggle to break the unwritten rules of segregation in sports was accurately portrayed, and as a result, a feel good story is presented about a super-talented underdog who triumphs against overwhelming adversity.
Robinson’s personal struggle to break the unwritten rules of segregation in sports was accurately portrayed, and as a result, a feel good story is presented about a super-talented underdog who triumphs against overwhelming adversity.
The life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with
the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey.
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