Academy Award Winner (Photo credit: Dave_B_)

I will start by saying that the Academy Awards are frustrating. Sometimes they get it right, but mostly the awards end up being either a popularity contest, an oops-sorry-we-got-it-wrong-last-year-so-we-will-give-it-to-you-now-for-a-way-inferior-role, or just plain crazy!  So, why do I watch? Why year after year, do I torture myself? I can not help it!  I have watched the Oscars all my life.  It is a tradition. 

As a lover of films, it is what you do and I must admit that part of the fun is the craziness. You get to talk with your family and friends–for or against–the choices that the Academy makes, the dresses worn, and the speeches. This year I am stoked that my favorite host, Billy Crystal, has returned (Hugh Jackman has been my only other favorite host since Crystal departed).  As you will notice, not many of my favorites are represented this year at the Oscars…I know–that’s what I was talking about…

Now a few disclaimers before my list.  This is my Top 15 list–not the critics and I tend to choose films that have affected me–emotional and/or intellectually.  Also, I am, first and foremost, a sci-fi//action girl–so every year those films creep into my list.  I have reviewed most of these so you can search for them to read more about them.

Here we go…Top 15 of 2011! 

15.  Midnight in Paris

Beautifully told.  Whimsical and brilliant.  This is what I love about Woody Allen.  This role was tailor-made for Owen Wilson.

14.  The Help

Hit all the right notes.  Humorous, dramatic and heartfelt.  Deserves all the attention it is getting. I am rooting for them on Oscar night. 

13.  Warrior

What should be a clichéd, typical sport movie is transformed into an intense and effective character study.  Nick Nolte deserves this Oscar. 

12. Super 8

A homage to Spielberg and a different era of storytelling.  It is perfect. 

11.  Another Earth

Creative and unique.  Brit Marling is a force to be reckoned with. 

10.  The Adjustment Bureau 

I loved this film.  Matt Damon and Emily Blunt‘s chemistry is worth the watch.  This is how I like my romantic films to be–interesting, realistic with a sci-fi twist.

9.  Hanna

Wonderfully acted.  Awesome action sequences.  Fantastic music.  Intriguing heroes and unforgettable villains.  Yeah, it is BADASS!

8.  Attack the Block

Talk about BADASS!  This film is the ultimate sci-fi/action flick.  It is AWESOME!  Then they surprise you with depth and meaning.

7.  Beginners

This plays like an artistic piece.  It is poetry on film.  Christopher Plummer is lovely (I will not be upset if Nolte loses to him–which he might).  Ewan McGregor is wonderful.

6.  Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Gary Oldman.  Enough said.  Yes, I am biased.  But this is a clever, quiet, deliberate film.  Layered and nuanced.  And yeah…let’s not forget Benedict Cumberbatch.

5.  Drive

You either love or hate it.  I loved it.  One of the best deconstructing of a character on film.  Pretty impressive.

4.  Shame

Michael Fassbender not nominated for an Oscar?  Sad.  This is a brutal, honest look at a man’s struggle with his demons.  It will haunt you.

3.  The Skin I live In

Blew me away.  It sneaks up on you.  Revealing itself slowly and deliberately.  Antonio Banderas is fantastic!

2.  Take Shelter

Beautifully crafted.  Michael Shannon was also sadly forgotten by Oscar.  Powerful and intense.  A true mind bending experience.

1.  50/50

Real. Emotional. And laugh out loud funny. I loved everything about this film.  I am a huge fan of Joseph Gordon Levitt and this only solidifies his awesomeness!  (Shame on you Oscars–shame on you–not one single nomination.)

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In a time where most horror films go for the gore and violence, The Woman in Black instead chooses to use atmosphere and old-fashioned chills to try to scare you and it works pretty well, mainly because Daniel Radcliffe is all grown up and able to carry this ghost story on his own. 

I will admit that at first there were a few jokes…”Mum, look! It’s Harry Potter!” and “Hello, my name is Aberforth Dumbledore (when Ciarán Hinds appeared).”  But within 15 minutes we are in director James Watkins‘ world and we forget about Harry Potter–that is impressive on its own because we have watched Radcliffe grow up before us as the iconic Potter, but Radcliffe has become a very good actor and we believe him as the sad and desperate Arthur Kipps.

Kipps is a young, widowed attorney that gets sent to finish up the estate of a recently deceased woman and of course, all sorts of supernatural things begin to happen.  The film takes its time to create tension and increase the “spook factor”.  Radcliffe does an excellent job of portraying the different levels of fear, from first being startled to disbelief and denial, to feeling nervous and finally terrified–he is able to convey all of that silently–not too shabby for the chosen one.  

Although the story is a straight forward, typical ghost story–it still works. It may not keep you awake at night, but at the moment you will become invested, you will experience a few jumps and enjoy the ride. 

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I did not like this movie and I should have. Why, you may ask?  Well, I love dystopian films. I like writer/director Andrew Niccol‘s previous projects (Gattaca anyone?).  I like the interesting concept. I like Justin Timberlake (he is a natural).  I like Amanda Seyfried (has talent).  I like Cillian Murphy, a lot (super talented).  Yet, with all that going for it– I still did not like it. 

Something was missing.  Plot? Solid mythology? Character development? Plausible arc?  I don’t know…something.  Throughout I kept thinking–which was probably the big mistake–(maybe I should have NOT been thinking)–why is this happening?  Why aren’t they doing that?  Once I turned to my daughter (Vieve) and said “That doesn’t make sense…”  And she appropriately replied, “Sense has nothing to do with it…leave logic out of this!”   She was correct.  But, even removing logic and sense, I still did not like it.

Oh well!  They can’t all be winners. 

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I was literally laughing out loud!!  BRILLIANT!!  (and it helps that I never liked Superman) I love all the celebrity cameos.  Super fun!  ENJOY!

The Death and Return of Superman

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I love when that happens.  When you have NO expectations for a film and then…SURPRISE!  Not bad.  I was interested in the premise–three teenage boys discover they have superpowers and things start to unravel–but I was not so excited about the found footage style.  I am not a fan of found footage movies.  They annoy me.  My thought process usually goes like this…Really? You’re still documenting “for humanity” instead of running for your life? I think not.  Yet, Chronicle takes a fresh approach and it worked for me.

First of all, it actually has a narrative and the characters have believable arcs.  (It is not just random pieces of film sliced together.)  I felt as if everything that happen would really happen.  Young men would act and react in the way it is portrayed in the film.  It helps that the three, relatively unknown actors–Dane DeHaan (reminds me of a young DiCaprio), Michael B. Jordan (very charismatic) and Alex Russell (genuine), have a great chemistry together that feels natural and authentic. It is even better that they are all talented.  DeHaan’s Andrew is actually kind of sad and you are sympathetic to his evolution into somewhat of a “villain”.  Well done!

New director Josh Trank is showing some potential here.  Trank takes the time to develop his characters and pace the tension, so when it reaches the climax, you find you are fully invested. The story idea and screenplay belong to Max Landis  (son of John Landis–who is an 80s icon) and I am looking forward to what else he will come up with.

So, if you were at all into NBC’s Heroes, you will totally enjoy this.  It is a refreshing twist on the tired style of filmmaking and will hopefully be the launch pad for a whole slew of exciting new talent!

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Okay. I will admit that I went into The Grey with only one expectation…to be entertained.  Liam Neeson and wolves?  I am in.  That is all I needed to know.  Yet surprisingly, there was way more to this film than even the trailer reveals (I love when that happens!).  I had heard some positive buzz, but was thinking it was due to pure badassness, not because of its depth and intensity.  How awesome!

You know by now, that I do not like to summarize a film and tell you details because I want you to discover all the wonderful things on your own–but I will tell you this–writer/director Joe Carnahan weaves an exciting, tense, thought provoking and personal story.  This film covers a lot of ground–survival, fear, life and death. It is truly an existential experience!  Really? Yes, I am not joking.  There are strong themes.  From animal instincts to faith in a higher power.  (I love the parallels drawn between the wolves and this group of roughnecks–and by the way, I do not agree that the Gray wolves were being shown in a negative light–if anything, you will respect them more after this.) 

Liam Neeson is perfect.  He was meant to play this part.  I can only imagine what he drew upon to reach the soul of this man who is clinging to his life. If Neeson doesn’t receive award attention it would be a shame!  The supporting cast is dead on!  But, a stand out is Frank Grillo‘s Diaz.  I loved him in Warrior and now this only solidifies my interest in career.  Another important character is the isolated landscape of Alaska.  It is both beautiful and haunting–(there were points that I could FEEL the cold). 

That is all I will say.  The Grey is a smart, intense thriller that is also a psychological study of human survival. I was at points–impressed, exhausted and emotional–wow!  To live and die on this day…To live and die on this day!  Indeed. Now that is what I call a cinematic experience!!

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I really appreciate the story that Red Tails is telling and I wanted to know about this part of our history.  It is fascinating and inspiring to know how much these men went through to serve their country and earn respect. Unfortunately the film was disjointed and scattered, so I never really got as invested as I should have be.  The aerial scenes are cool and well done, but that is not enough to make up for the weak script and mediocre acting.

The fresh, young actors portraying the group of Tuskegee pilots all have potential (especially David Oyelowo and Nate Parker)–but most are still a bit green.  It felt a bit like a community theater production.  Of course, Cuba Gooding, Jr and Terrence Howard are good–but are only on-screen for a few minutes. 

The story tries to tell different aspects of the men’s lives in World War II, but it jumps around and no one has a smooth arch.  It all feels like tiny parts of a bigger story–but never fully realized.  I also never felt time passing–so when they would jump ahead I would be wondering “when did that happen?”.  We all make fun on montages–because most are trite and forced–but a montage can be effective when done properly–well, Red Tails was in desperate need of a montage! It would have helped register the passing of time and given us more fight scenes.

Bottom line? It is not a waste of time–George Lucas struggled to get this picture done (interesting story on its own)–director Anthony Hemingway has a good eye–and the cast is promising–and it’s an important part of our history, but I would be surprised if you come out completely satisfied.  

Side note: If you want to see a more dramatic retelling (better acted) try to find the 1995 TV movie The Tuskegee Airmen with Laurence Fishburne and a young Cuba Gooding, Jr.

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HBO’s Game of Thrones is awesome!  And the new year is upon us…if you have not seen Season 1 yet–then you may not understand the excitement!  The rest of us, that have invested our time, are on pins and needles, as we wait for the awesomeness to return. 

The first season aired last April to wide critical praise and about 2 million viewers.  The show is based on author George R. R. Martin‘s best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels (which I have yet to read because I do not want to spoil the show) and from what I hear it is a very truthful adaptation.

At first, it may seem overwhelming with so many characters and different locations–but after 2 episodes it is easy to follow.  It is a drama full of political dealings, betrayal, family strife, dragon eggs, dire wolves, kings, wannabe kings and power, with a bit of the unexplained.  If you love that kind of world, clever word play and enjoy the medieval time period this is for you. 

With a powerhouse cast (so pleased that Peter Dinklage won the Emmy–he’s my favorite), beautiful sets and costumes, and fantastic writing Game of Thrones is a wonderful escape from the ordinary. 

Winter is coming!! Be prepared…

Season 1 :

Season 2:

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Like Crazy is refreshing.  It is a simple, quietly told love story.  No Hollywood tricks here.  Just a narrative that follows two young people as they fall in love and struggle with finding their place.  But, it would not work as well if it wasn’t for the strong performances by Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin–both up and coming talent that get a chance to shine here.

I am not a sucker for romance.  Actually, I hate the predictable, formula romances–comedy and/or drama.  I find them frustrating and unoriginal.  Girl meets boy in some kind of “meet cute“–they have a new love montage–they encounter a problem and/or secret–they fight–they break up–and then they make up and live happily ever after.  BORING!   For that reason, most of my favorite romantic movies tend to end with death.   What can I say?  It’s realistic!  (I do like happy endings–but it has to stem from a realistic source.)

That said, writer/director Drake Doremus has taken a very real approach.  So real that he gave Jones and Yelchin an outline and basic plot points and allowed them to improvise their scenes together.  It works.  You feel like your watching two real people discover each other.  My favorite parts are when they say nothing–you can feel their chemistry and if you have ever been in love–you remember that feeling.  The direction tends to be full of montages and borders on cliché at times, but what saves this from tipping into eye rolling territory are the wonderful, strong performances by Jones and Yelchin. 

Felicity Jones garnered a lot of attention earlier (festival circuit) and I think she was snubbed by Oscar.  She is lovely.  Her Anna is Intelligent, determined and hopelessly in love.  Anton Yelchin continues to impress me.  I like this kid.  He has this every man charm, but with something going on behind his eyes.  His Jacob is the weaker of the two–torn, but also afraid of this powerful emotion.  Together they are sweet and tragic–able to convey all the emotions that being in love can evoke.

Like Crazy is the film for you if you enjoy a good love story–even if it is realistic. 

p.s. No one dies.  ;D

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I have been smitten!  Sherlocked!  I am head over heels in love with Sherlock!  It has quickly and easily become of one my all time favorite pieces of storytelling from television and/or film.   It continually impresses me–the writing, the performances, the mind-bending puzzles and Benedict Cumberbatch.  Series 2 is now over and I am already planning to re watch Series 1 and 2 because I am not sure how I will survive almost a year before Series 3!

I stumbled upon this awesomeness while browsing the PBS Masterpiece Mystery website last year. I read ”Last chance to see Sherlock–a reinvention of the classic sleuth–still set in London, but in the 21st century!”  I was intrigued.  I knew Martin Freeman (already cast in The Hobbit) but was unfamiliar with anyone else.  I have always enjoyed Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s Sherlock Holmes stories and up to that point, Hollywood’s latest version with Robert Downey, Jr and Jude Law was a fun, although predictable, action-filled blockbuster.  So, Sherlock in the 21st century?  Could that work?

YES!  It works wonderfully!  What writers and creators, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, have done is taken the original Victorian stories and given them a contemporary update.  This version allows Holmes to use all the modern technology available and makes the necessary tweaks to make everything fit the present world–it is very cleverly done.  They use visuals to accompany Sherlock’s process and it is cool to not only hear, but see how his mind works. 

The best update is Sherlock himself–he is now a fast talking, arrogant, “high-functioning sociopath” and Cumberbatch is perfect.  Freeman as Dr. Watson is the perfect counterpart–intelligent, stable, and calm.  I love their chemistry–it is natural and yet, electric.  Watson: Why didn’t I think of that. Sherlock: Cause you’re an idiot. No no no, don’t be like that, practically everyone is.

Add a strong supporting cast and some truly mind twisting cases and it is pretty awesome.  Yet they also added an amazing villain, James Moriarty (Andrew Scott) and pushed it over the top.  Scott’s Jim Moriarty is spectacular!  It is a performance not to be missed.  I do not want to spoil anything, but I will say that Cumberbatch and Scott, together are an impressive duo.  (Series 2 finale Reichenbach Fall is fantastic!) 

I could go on and on.  There is something special in every episode and so many little details.  I can quote many, many classic lines, but, as always, I do not wish to spoil the pleasure of you discovering all of this on your own.  Check it out–as Sherlock would say…”The Game is On!”

Series 1:

Series 2:

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