Archive for Oscars
Matt’s Take on the 83rd Academy Awards
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Of course, being a movie website, The Movie Mash has to have a follow up to the 83rd Oscars ceremony that took place last night. First things first, by a show of hands, who thinks Kirk Douglas should host the Oscars next year? Wouldn’t that be a lovely five-and-a-half-hour ceremony with Douglas rambling on quietly and sometimes incoherently. If he lives until next year, he has my vote, because he can’t possibly fair worse than Hathaway and Franco playing the hosts. This year’s Oscars was watched by four million less people than last year.
Hathaway portrayed an aura of enthusiasm while Franco seemed like he was backstage with Michael Phelps tag teaming a bong. The younger duo was asked to host the Oscars to appeal to the younger audiences. Mission failed. The coveted 18-49 demographic was down 12% from last year’s viewership. But really, I don’t care about the whole procession of the Oscars. I really just care about the winners and the beautiful women in all their fancy dresses.
Rob’s Take on Oscar Hopeful ‘The Social Network’
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Mr. Zuckerberg, do I have your full attention?
-No.
Do you think I deserve your full attention?
-I had to swear an oath before we began this deposition and I don’t want to perjure myself so I have a legal obligation to say ‘No.’
Okay. No, you don’t think I deserve your full attention.
-I think if your clients want to sit on my shoulders and call themselves tall, they have the right to give it a try, but there is no requirement that I enjoy sitting here listening to people lie. You have part of my attention. You have the minimum amount. The rest of my attention is back at the offices of Facebook where my colleagues and I are doing things that no one in this room, including and especially your clients are intellectually or creatively capable of doing. (then) Did I adequately answer your condescending question?
This exchange between Jesse Eisenberg and a prosecuting lawyer is just one of the reasons I believe The Social Network is the front-runner for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Rob’s Take on Oscar Hopefuls ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and ‘True Grit’
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The Kids Are All Right
This film is definitely a little hipper, but there are so many terrific things in the script that I had to overlook that. Beginning with a rich concept: two teenagers (fifteen, seventeen) being raised by two lesbians who seek out their biological father. The execution of the story is interesting and compelling, told with patience, honesty, and big-heartedness (is that a word?). All of the grown up characters are rich, textured, and wonderfully acted. You have three world-class actors -Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo – who I would watch perform the federal budget.
Rob’s Take on Oscar Hopefuls ‘Inception’ and ‘The King’s Speech’
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Inception
Dude, it’s like a dream within a dream (within a dream within a dream)! It sounds ridiculous when I say it like that, but Inception really is the most cinematic film of the year. Christopher Nolan creates an entire world from the intriguing premise – what if we could get inside someone else’s dream? Well, if you’re Mr. Nolan you’d get in there and steal something (extraction). Or, since that’s too easy, you’d want to get in there and plant something (inception).
Rob’s Take on Oscar Hopefuls ‘The Fighter’ and ‘Black Swan’
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Allow me this small indulgence. I want to give a bit of context for the brief and specific kind of reviews for most nominees of Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. First off, I’d like to apologize for the films I didn’t get to. Winter’s Bone and Another Year, you deserve better. I really did mean to see you. Honest. It’s just that, well, um, the dog ate my homework. Apologies. 127 Hours is another story. I never intended to see you. My only defense is that I’m a cringer. When a character’s head gets chopped off, a blade slices through flesh and bone, a fist pummels another face to a bloody pulp, I cover my eyes AND close them AND look away from the screen AND still cringe.
The Movie Mash Podcast: And The Oscar Goes To…
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Hey there Movie Mashers and welcome to the first Movie Mash Podcast! Today Matt and I run down all the important categories and nominations for Sunday’s Academy awards. We’ll give you our picks on who will win, but more importantly, who SHOULD win. All the big statues are up for grabs: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, etc. Click play below to hear Matt and I break it all down for you. If you are interested in jumping to our thoughts on a certain nomination (i.e. Best Score, Best Actress), hit the jump to see a timeline of the podcast.
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Nolan and DiCaprio Excluded From Oscar Nominees — Typical Academy Antics
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As many movie buffs know, the Academy Award nominations were announced yesterday for the 83rd Oscars ceremony set to take place on February 27th. Of course not all of our favorite movies, actors, directors, or writers can be nominated; but seriously, some of the snubs by the snobs on the nomination panel are starting to get a little sickening. This year’s list of nominees is not only missing a few notable names, but features an actress being placed into the wrong category. The list this year is so absurd in places it has infuriated me so much I will vent to anyone who says “Oscars.” Hit the jump to read my frustrations with this year’s nominees.
Deserving Nominees for Best Score Announced
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The five Oscar nominations for Best Score have been announced for the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony. The list goes as follows: The Social Network by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Inception by Hans Zimmer, The King’s Speech by Alexandre Desplat, 127 Hours by A.R. Rahman, and How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell. All of these soundtracks are worthy of a nomination. I have a hard time zoning in on one soundtrack I want to see take the cake. However, I can give you some insight as to what exactly these soundtracks have to offer. That way you can understand where the competition is coming from within each soundtrack on February 27th.
Trailer for Potential Oscar Front-Runner ‘The King’s Speech’
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After winning top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), The King’s Speech has rapidly become the Oscar front-runner for Best Picture and star Colin Firth for Best Actor. In the film, Firth plays King George VI of Britain, “who overcame a nervous stammer to deliver a crucial address on the eve of that country’s entrance into World War II.” At first glance this film appears to be one of those “Oscar films.” You know, the films that are released between October and November, with pedigreed actors and a story set in a different time period and/or based on true events. But after watching this trailer, I’m convinced that all the Oscar hyperbole is right on the money.
Powerful Trailer for Clint Eastwood’s ‘Hereafter’
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As films have been premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) over the last several weeks, studios have subsequently released the full-length trailer of their respective films online afterward, to capitalize on positive buzz and word-of-mouth. Films like Black Swan and 127 Hours have received rave initial reactions thus far. And now, we have our first look at the legendary Clint Eastwood’s new “supernatural” drama, Hereafter. First off, it’s Clint Friggin Eastwood, so you know this film is at least going to be “good.” Then throw in Matt Damon as the star, a screenplay written by Oscar heavyweight Peter Morgan, stunning visuals and powerful subject matter; I think Hereafter is going to be a major awards contender this season.
