84th Annual Academy Awards Recap

Well another year is history! The 84th Annual Academy Awards were Sunday night on ABC and overall I would give the show a solid B rating. The show moved fairly quickly and smoothly and had the best host in several years, with veteran Billy Crystal returning for the 9th time and making us forget the James-Anne debacle from last year. He was obviously a very safe choice but he also played it well with a few strong zingers throughout (but do we REALLY need to see his Sammy Davis Jr again, it has never been that funny). Hardly new but safe with a few strong zingers peppered throughout (his Kodak Theater lines were particularly funny).

Here is the complete list of winners from the evening:
http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/oscars/oscar-winners-list-013051337.html

I scored 19 out of 24 categories, not too bad for a shaky start (1-3 the first fours awards) and a Best Actress shocker when Meryl Streep upset favorite Viola Davis for Meryl's 3rd win but first win in 30 years. I liked Meryl's performance but didn't much for "The Iron Lady" overall, as did many critics; true Meryl was likely overdue but Viola was robbed for a truly great performance and one of the most memorable of 2011. This is the one award that will have people talking for years to come.

2011 was a weak year for films; there were many good films but a lack of truly fantastic knock-your-socks-off ones. "The Artist" isn't a bad choice (and like last year's winner "The King's Speech," a very safe one) and certainly not the worst one of recent memory, but the novelty of it being all silent and being made by the Weinstein studio catapulted it to the top spot. "The Help," "War Horse," "The Descendants" or even "Moneyball" would've been better (and much more populist) choices in my opinion. "The Artist" and "Hugo" both ended up with 5 awards, the most of the evening, and while both are good films, they won't rank as my favorite Oscar winners.

Overall, a solid Oscar show with a handful of good moments. They included:

• Octavia Spencer's win for Best Supporting Actress-the most satisfying win of the evening.
• "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo's" upset win for Best Editing-"The Artist" had been favored.
• I went 3-0 in the short film categories, the FIRST time I have ever done that.
• Will Ferrell and Zach Galifanakis and two cymbals-very funny especially right in front of Brad Pitt.
• Another great win: Christopher Plummer for Supporting Actor-Captain von Trapp finally wins an Oscar and the oldest actor ever to win.
• "Undefeated" winning Best Documentary Feature-"Pina" or "Purgatory" had been favored.
• The "Bridesmaids" introducing the short film awards - hiliarious (especially Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph's bit, no pun intended).
• JLo's cleavage-baring dress.
• Chris Rock's very funny take on Animated films. 
• Woody Allen winning Best Screenplay once more...and not showing up.
• Super-skinny Angelina Jolie.
• The cute dog from "The Artist," the best thing about that movie.
• Too many "short films" with actors going on about their favorite movies/moments.

Wes's Oscar Predictions

The biggest show in Hollywood, the 84th Academy Awards, finally arrives this Sunday, February 26th at 7:30 pm on ABC.

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/84/nominees.html 

 Here are my predictions for this year's Academy Awards in all 24 categories. I am submitting these a day or two before the awards, and they're subject to change up to the awards, though I won't make changes after the show starts. I won my Oscar pool last year and hope to repeat! I include all awards, including the documentary and short awards, which tend to be guesses. This also doesn't include who I WANT to win, but who I THINK will win. I will have my full recap after the show. Enjoy Hollywood's biggest night!

Picture: The Artist
Actor: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Actress: Viola Davis, The Help
Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Director: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris
Adapted Screenplay: The Descendants
Animated Feature: Rango
Art Direction: Hugo
Cinematography: The Tree of Life
Costume Design: The Artist
Foreign Film: A Separation
Film Editing: The Artist
Makeup: The Iron Lady
Original Score:  The Artist
Original Song: Man or Muppet, The Muppets
Sound Editing: Hugo
Sound Mixing: Hugo
Visual Effects: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Documentary Feature: Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Documentary Short: Saving Face
Short Film (Animated): The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Short Film (Live-Action Short): The Shore

Gone - D

Rated PG-13, 85 minutes

In the new suspense thriller "Gone," Amanda Seyfried ("Mamma Mia") plays a young lady named Jill whose sister mysteriously disappear.  The only thing a few years before Jill herself was supposedly kidnapped and escaped, yet no one believed her and they think she's crazy once more, making all of this stuff up. Is Jill really crazy or does this stalker really exist and is about to do harm to Jill and her family again? Badly done on every level, the ridiculously dumb and boring "Gone" may aptly describe the audience, who will likely drift off shortly after the film starts. Highly implausible with little suspense or chills, "Gone" is a turkey headlined by the pretty Seyfried, whose limited acting abilities (think a younger Madonna) makes this movie even more unbelievable. Not all of it's Seyfried's fault, there isn't much to work with given the lame script and the awful, predictable ending. The real mystery is how Seyfried's character, a waitress at a local diner, can manage to live in a huge, expensive house on the tips she makes. Here's a good tip for those considering paying to see "Gone": don't. It's an utter waste of time, and that's being nice.

Wanderlust - B-

Rated R, 100 minutes

"Wanderlust” is a new comedy that is both random and extremely raunchy, filled with off-the-wall, stilted dialogue and nudity you wish you didn’t have to see. It’s not completely disgusting but is usually spot-on funny and sprightly amusing. Starring Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston, "Wanderlust" is the first real laugh-out loud comedy of the year, though hardly groundbreaking or revelatory. Rudd and Aniston play New York City yuppie couple George and Linda, who are left jobless and homeless after some unexpected events. They take off to live with George’s jerk older brother in Atlanta but end up starting a new life in a hippie-like commune inhabited by Alan Alda, Justin Theroux (yes you read that right, Aniston’s current beau) and Kathryn Hahn, among others.  “Wanderlust” is a raunchy take on the fish-out-of-water formula, something that likely would’ve been done as a safer PG-13 comedy with Tim Allen in the 1990s. This isn’t the 1990s and now just about anything goes, including full frontal nudity (though not from the leads, sorry to inform you), some of which borders on the yucky side (senior citizen nudity!).  This isn’t anything new, but Rudd and Aniston have decent chemistry and Rudd in particular is a charming nut. Some very random moments tend to work best, and the leads are upstaged by many funny supporting players, including Hahn and a trio of “Reno! 911” vets Ken Marino, Jo Lo Truglio and the always funny Kerri Kenney-Silver. Also, watch for a humorous cameo from 1970’s TV vet Linda Lavin ("Alice"). Wacky and often memorable, go in “Wanderlust” with low expectations and you’ll be just fine. Stay over for the credits for the outtakes.

Act of Valor - C-

Rated R, 101 minutes

“Act of Valor” is the latest action film designed to bring a realistic viewpoint to those serving in the military. Supposedly based on real Navy SEAL exercises, it follows a group of SEALS on various missions across the globe as they attempt to thwart some international bad guys. There’s no doubt that the men and their missions are honorable, but the forgettable film plays more like a second-rate, one-sided promo video for the SEALS and the military in general. Lots of action, but little emotional complexity or genuine characters to really care about; the film, especially the villains, is much too black-and-white for such a gray world. Filmmakers Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh introduce the film with excitement telling us about some of the unique people and emotional heft they experienced while filming, but little of that ended up in the footage they shot. Apparently the vast majority of the film’s modest budget (around $20 million, expensive for an unknown cast) was spent on the intense, realistic action sequences and not the script, acting or characters, all largely forgettable, especially the manipulative, random ending. The only recognizable cast member is Roselyn Sanchez, (from TV’s “Without a Trace”) who has limited footage in the first part of the film. I’m appreciative of the service of our military, but they deserve a better movie than this, which seems better suited to the small screen.

The Secret World of Arriety - B-

Rated G, 80 minutes

"The Secret World of Arriety" is a charming but familiar animated adventure about little people, called "Borrowers," living among normal-size humans. One of the borrowers, a 14-year old girl named Arriety ("Good Luck Charlie's" Bridgit Mendler) who is discovered by a human boy named Shawn. The two forge a friendship but don't realize the dangers if their secret friendship is uncovered by the rest of the world. Based on a 1950's children's fantasy book by Mary Norton called "The Borrowers," this animated Disney film is actually the North American dubbed version of the same Japanese hit film released in 2010. Fun, engaging but all-too familiar, the film is perfect for young kids but may have limited appeal for those over the age of 10 or those outside Japanese anime enthusiasts. Mendler, a Disney Channel star, voices the title role, and real husband-wife Will Arnett and Amy Poehler voice her suspicious parents. The real treat is hearing veteran comedienne Carol Burnett voice the role of a human housekeeper, though she has just a few lines. The animation is standard but colorful Japanese anime stuff, and the wholesome messages that true friendship transcends shape and size, are family-friendly. "Arriety" is fun enough but may have trouble finding the wide audience that loves the CG Pixar stuff.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: D

Rated PG-13, 95 minutes

"There are some demons you can't get rid of," states Nicolas Cage in voice-over during the introduction of the new awful, ludicrous new quasi-super hero film "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance," the sequel to his inexplicable 2007 hit "Ghost Rider." The demons the movie-going public can't shake are these terrible take-the-money-and-run films that Cage keeps making and people somehow keep paying for. Cage plays motorcycle rider Johnny Blaze, who made a deal with the devil and acts as his bounty hunter for the wicked. Blaze, still struggling with the curse of being the Ghost Rider, is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when a secret sect of the church asks him to save a boy from the devil. At first Johnny is reluctant to use his power, but it's the only way to save the boy and possibly rid himself of this curse forever. The original guilty-pleasure 2007 film, hardly a classic, at least had veteran actor Peter Fonda in it as Satan. This over-acted, ridiculous popcorn cheese-fest doesn't have Fonda but loads more mindless action and bullets cleaned up for a PG-13 rating (and wastes another terrific actor in Idris Elba). At least Cage has something in common with his character though: Blaze morphs from a human into the fiery Ghost Rider while Cage has morphed from an Oscar-winning actor to schlock-fest actor making crummy movies like this. "Vengeance" should be another hit for the Cage machine, which keeps rocking on as long as people are willing to pay for crap like this. Go at your own discretion, but you've been warned.

Rampart - B+

Rated R, 105 minutes

Even if you're a fan of Woody Harrelson, the new police crime drama "Rampart," a fictional story set against the backdrop of actual events in early 1990s Los Angeles, isn't for everyone. Gritty, superbly acted and very dark, the overlooked "Rampart" is a gem of a movie that will be best known for Harrelson's stunning performance as a truly despicable human being and dirty cop. Harrelson is Officer Dave Brown, a Vietnam vet and a Rampart precinct cop who up until now has asserted his own level of justice on his own terms. But as he gets caught on tape for some dirty dealings, he begins a downward spiral that will either bring him down or bring out the worst in him. Downbeat but well-acted, "Rampart" is an unforgettable movie based on the performances alone. As the racist, sexist, aggressive, homophobic and very dirty cop, Harrelson gives one of his most memorable performances in a film directed and written by Owen Moverman, who wrote "The Messenger," for which Harrelson received an Oscar nomination two years ago as another unsympathetic character. Harrelson does an excellent job at capturing the character's vulnerability and dark side; a scene with veteran character actor Ned Beatty shows both sides of the character in a heartbeat (and unforgettable once you see what happens to Beatty). The story feels very familiar, but Harrelson, along with an all-star A list cast including Sigourney Weaver, Ben Foster, Ice Cube, Robin Wright, Steve Buscemi, Anne Heche and Cynthia Nixon all bring it to life. Harrelson's character is so despicable it's humorous at times but is ultimately depressing once you realize he's not likely to change anytime soon. "Rampart," as mentioned earlier, isn't for everyone, but it's certainly worth a look.

This Means War - C

Rated PG-13, 98 minutes

I would like to take a moment to profess my love for the beautiful, wonderful Reese Witherspoon. Too bad my love fest won't spill over to her new romantic action spy film "This Means War," with Witherspoon, Tom Hardy ("Inception") and Chris Pine ("Star Trek"). A mildly amusing but shallow mix of spy action and romance, most of it falls flat, but thank goodness for comedian Chelsea Handler, who all but steals this movie from the three handsome leads. Hardy and Pine are CIA agents and best friends who end up falling for the same woman (Witherspoon). They decide not to tell her in order to let her choose the best man, and a game of heated exchanges, passion and words may not leave anyone standing. Aimless, unfunny and lacking any real sense of chemistry between the leads, "This Means War" is a muddled attempt at mixing action and romantic comedy. This isn't all Witherspoon's fault, she's quite lovely, the script is mishandled and misdirected by McG, who also mishandled the disappointing "Terminator Salvation." It's insipid as a spy thriller and save a few engaging scenes, largely unfunny as a romantic comedy; Pine is a decent comic actor though the rugged Brit Hardy is miscast and out of place. Most memorable of the cast is comedian and talk show host Handler, who easily walks off with the movie and its funnies lines. Witherspoon is a A-list star in need of a hit movie, but the disappointing "This Means War" isn't it.

Safe House - B

Rated R, 115 minutes

"Safe House" is the latest action thriller starring Oscar-winner Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, and it's filled with plenty of action and explosions, an enjoyable sight for many. Implausible but entertaining, this is all familiar territory but is seemingly and mostly on target for an above-average thriller. When a group of rebel soldiers from the neighboring region destroy a CIA-operated safe house, the facility's young house-sitter Matt Weston (Reynolds) escapes with rogue ex-CIA agent Tobin Frost (Washington) who is being hidden there, and the two men battle their way across South Africa in order to reach another secure location. Enjoyable but predictable action adventure, with Washington in a part he can play in his sleep: the cheeky, wizened but flawed good-bad guy (think part "Man on Fire" part "Training Day" here), paired well this time with the blandly charming Reynolds. Much like his character in the film, Reynolds has yet to prove his worth, and "Safe House" may be a good start for him. The good news is that Reynolds' serviceable performance doesn't hamper the proceedings, even carrying some of the film's rougher scenes (i.e. he gets beat up, alot). A couple of great action set pieces (the breathless car chase at the beginning is terrific) and well-executed, jumpy explosions  elevate "Safe House" as a decent, enjoyable entry in the genre. Washington, a great, albeit overpaid actor as of late considering his modest box-office returns, should have another hit while Reynolds gets a much-needed one on his resume. This one comes recommended, especially for Washington's fan base.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - C-

Rated PG, 94 minutes

"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is a sequel to the hit 2008 "Journey to the Center of the Earth" starring Captain Dork himself, Brendan Fraser. Like that film, "Journey 2" is loosely based on a Jules Verne story, this one being "The Mysterious Island." This mildly entertaining, mostly forgettable version is (thankfully) without Fraser and replaced with an equally cheeky and mostly charming actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson along with Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine, doing his best Sean Connery-take-the-money-and-run performance. Josh Hutcherson, the only actor returning from the first film, is the troubled Sean, who is now living with his stepdad Hank (Johnson) and mom (Kristin Davis). Sean receives a secret code from his grandfather (Caine), and the two embark on an adventure to locate his grandad, now living on a mysterious island in the South Pacific. Along for the ride is a father-and-daughter tour guide team (Vanessa Hudgens and Luis Guzman) who don't realize what they're in for with Hank and Sean. Verne would likely roll over in his grave at the thought of an adaptation of his book being anchored by a former wrestler, but The Rock and Caine actually have some of the best tit-for-tat lines, humorously playing off each other as they stumble across large insects trying to escape the island before it sinks. This dumbed-down Verne treatment, with cheesy, fake Hollywood set treatment, would sink if not for Caine and The Rock's playful interplay. Thankfully, "Journey 2" goes by quickly and there are a few nifty 3D images but nothing else really sticks. Though suitable family entertainment, if your idea of fun is seeing The Rock's "pec popping" (and no doubt it will be for many female audience members), then "Journey 2" is for you, but I could think of many more worthwhile things to do.

The Vow - C

Rated PG-13, 104 minutes

There's one warning message that the new romantic drama "The Vow" should come with: Chick Flick. Arriving just in time for Valentine's Day, it should attract many date-night couples seeking a little added romance to the evening. A dull, average entry in the genre, "The Vow," which is actually based on a true story, features two pretty actors engaging in some icky sweet moments. Attention date-nighters, women will likely enjoy this but men will enjoy it most when it's over. Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams play a Chicago named Leo and Paige, a newly married pair of artists with a taste for the unconventional. They are in a bad accident and Paige suffers some bad head injuries, suffering some major memory loss. She doesn't remember anything about Leo or their relationship, providing some immense challenges to the couple, who have essentially start over in their relationship. It'd be nice to have suffered severe memory loss after seeing "The Vow," a forgettable, stale and slow-moving drama about rekindling romance. Tatum and McAdams are a handsome, likable couple but their blandness simply makes it hard to buy into this from the start. This also makes it a challenge to provide any emotional depth to the characters or the story; Tatum in particular has never been an expressive actor, while McAdams' shallowness comes through too often. It's nice seeing Sam Neill and Jessica Lange in small supporting roles as Paige's disapproving parents, but they're not on screen much to have a huge impact. Some moments, especially near the end, may generate the need for tissues, but I found "The Vow" to be too shallow and wholly unsatisfying. Much like biting into a chocolate you don't care for, you'll leave "The Vow" with a bitter aftertaste, hoping to forget the experience.

The Woman in Black - B-

Rated PG-13, 93 minutes

"The Woman in Black" is noteworthy because it is Daniel Radcliffe's (always known as Harry Potter) first non-Potter film. It should also be noteworthy because it's an above-average, well-cast and often creepy horror thriller that provides some decent scares that don't rely completely on loads of blood. Radcliffe is young lawyer and widower Arthur Kripps, who travels to a remote village to do some legal work on the estate of a recently deceased woman. In the process, he learns the town is haunted by The Woman in Black, a scorned woman who was unable to save her young son from drowning. Now she exacts revenge on the townspeople by killing many of the children in town. Kripps must learn to put the secrets to rest permanently before his own young son arrives to visit and also become a casualty of the vengeful ghost. "The Woman in Black" is a dour but tense thriller that provides some nice scares once the slow-moving story gets moving at a quicker pace in the second act. With a pasty, disheveled appearance, Radcliffe is well-cast in his first non-Potter role, though he doesn't do much to make you forget Potter. Ciaran Hinds (one of Radcliffe's "Potter" co-stars), lends able support, as does Oscar nominee Janet McTeer as a loopy wife who channels her dead young son. Based on Susan Hill's 1983 gothic novel of the same name, "The Woman in Black," after a slow-as-molasses first act, provides some entertaining chills once it gets going, with a mildly unexpected ending. Worth a look, though you'll wonder what Harry Potter would've done in this situation.

Chronicle - A-

Rated PG-13, 83 minutes

Sometimes a film comes along and totally sweeps you off your feet. That is the case with the new science fiction action thriller "Chronicle," an original story about three teenage boys who mysteriously gain superhuman powers and who must determine whether to use them for good or bad. Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Matt (Alex Russell) and his cousin Andrew (Dane DeHaan) are a group of friends who discover a big shiny rock in the back of a house after a party and then realize they have superhuman powers of telekinesis, flying and strength. Their new powers and their human bonds are put to the test when one of them strays to the dark side, unsure of how to use his power for good, or bad. "Chronicle" is a stunning action film and a thoughtful science fiction film that deserves a larger audience; at first the jumpy docu-style cam threatens it to be another "Paranormal Activity" wannabe, though it turns into something far different. All of the unknown leads are excellent, particularly DeHaan as the one with the most to lose and it's a treat to watch them discover their new powers. "Chronicle" is also an auspicious directing debut from young director Josh Trank, who wrote the screenplay with Max Landis, son of veteran director John Landis. While some of it seems a little hokey on the surface, the breathless, action-packed finale and the nifty special effects are all impressive considering the film only cost $15 million to make. "Chronicle" is 2012's first sleeper and deserves an audience for what could be the next big franchise film series.

Pina - A-

Rated PG, 103 minutes

 "Pina" is the thrilling new 3D dance film and documentary from noted director Wim Wenders ("Paris, Texas") about the legendary German choreographer Pina Bausch. Part concert film, part documentary and full tribute to Bausch, "Pina" is hypnotic, bursting with color and originality and entirely engaging the senses. Wenders was set to begin filming the documentary in 2009 but Bausch died suddenly and unexpectedly of cancer; the project was nearly canceled until members of her dance troupe convinced Wenders to carry on with the film in dedication to her memory, and we're glad he did. Her dance troupe tells us about Pina and then dances many of her original pieces on stage and in various outdoor settings. Wildly unconventional, daring and often bizarre, the dance sequences reveal not only the themes Pina was striving for but also her personal life. "Pina" features two of her best pieces, the enthralling "Rite of Spring," as the dancers move across a stage covered in peat, and the unique "Cafe Mueller," widely regarded by critics as her best piece. Wonderfully, beautifully performed and executed by her dance troupe, the 3D is a fantastic touch that brings the dancers and their moves to life. A lovely homage, "Pina" may have limited appeal outside the art house circuit or dancers, but it's worth seeing even if you don't anything about Pina Bausch, and most outside Europe likely do not. Nominated for the 2011 Best Documentary Oscar, "Pina" gets my vote hands (and feet) down.

Big Miracle - B

Rated PG, 105 minutes

The new drama "Big Miracle" is an enjoyable real-life save-the-whale story set in frigid Alaska that will warm your heart this winter. The uplifting film, starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski ("The Office"), is based on the 1988 effort "Operation Breakthrough" to save several gray whales stuck in the ice in Point Barrow, Alaska. The story captured nationwide attention as many people and two countries worked together to free the whales. Before you non-tree huggers turn and run, "Big Miracle" is a heartwarming, engaging family film not just about the importance of preserving nature, but the ability to set aside differences to work for a common goal. Though the story is hardly original and seemingly long forgotten (1988 is an eternity ago), Barrymore is perfectly cast as the outspoken Greenpeace worker who takes this on as a personal cause, and she and Krasinski do have a certain playful chemistry together. They head an eclectic but talented cast including Ted Danson, Kristen Bell, Tim Blake Nelson, Dermot Mulroney and Kathy Baker, all of whom play an important part in saving the whales (affectionately named Fred, Wilma and Bam Bam). "Big Miracle" doesn't work as well when it veers off toward romantic or political subplots, and if you're familiar with the story (but most are probably not by now) you know how it turns out. Even with that, you'll still enjoy "Big Miracle" and it's suitable entertainment for the whole family, which is hard to come by these days. Also, stay over for the credits and you'll see actual whale footage and most of the real characters from the story.