Category Archives: Movies

My 2014 Oscar Final Predictions – My Winners And Spoilers!!

Posted on February 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Oscar Trophy - Specials

With the awards season for the films of 2013 culminating on Sunday as the 86th Academy Awards present the Oscar to their respective winners, I’m also coming up (as per usual) with my final predictions for this year’s Oscars.

Best Picture

As much as I’m hoping that Gravity will win this category, I’m still leaning  towards a 12 Years A Slave win not only because it’s winning every precursor award giving bodies prior to the big night but because it’s a total Oscar bait like what I’ve always mentioned. Don’t get me wrong though, I love the film and I feel that it was a well made one but if I were to give it to THE best film of 2013 – Gravity should win this one hands down.

SPOILER: GRAVITY

Best Director

Alfonso Cuaron created a masterpiece with Gravity. Rarely that a director create something that is as powerful as this one. Steve McQueen can win the Best Picture but Cuaron has got this in the bag already.

SPOILER: STEVE MCQUEEN (NOT MUCH THOUGH)

BEST ACTORFrom my review, McConaughey’s rendition in Dallas Buyers Club as the homophobic Texan who became the unlikely hero of the gay community was flawless – it’s like the male Sophie – luminescent, one of a kind and truly singular. He’s untouchable here as much as I’d love for Leo to finally get an Oscar.

SPOILER: LEONARDO DICAPRIO

BEST ACTRESSAfter winning a statuette for her supporting role in Aviator, Cate is ready to finally claim what’s rightfully her to begin with (hhmm,  paging Gwyneth.) Her performance in Blue Jasmine was said to be the best of her career and I have to believe that for she won almost all the major award giving bodies for her work in the film. Yay!

SPOILER: SANDRA BULLOCK FOR GRAVITY.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club 

Leto’s best work to date as Rayon is a groundbreaking performance that only deserves accolades like this one. In this film, Jared Leto proved that he’s special!

spoiler: Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Lupita Nyong’o for 12 Years a Slave

I’ve only high praises for Jennifer Lawrence but I find Lupita’s performance more memorable and for that alone, I’m giving her this one. Plus, I don’t think the Academy’s ready to give her an Oscar with her winning just last year.

SPOILER: Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle.

Best Original Screenplay – Her

Best Adapted Screenplay – 12 Years A Slave

Best Animated Feature – Frozen

Best Foreign Language Film – The Great Beauty (Italy)

Best Documentary – 20 Feet from Stardom

Best Film Editing – Gravity

Best Original Score – Gravity

Best Original Song – Let It Go

Best Cinematography – Gravity

Best Visual Effects – Gravity

Best Sound Editing – Gravity

Best Sound Mixing – Gravity

Best Production Design – The Great Gatsby

Best Makeup and Hairstyling -American Hustle

Best Costume Design – The Great Gatsby by Catherine Martin

Best Documentary – Short Subject – Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall

Best Live Action Short Film – Avant que de tout perdre (Just Before Losing Everything) – Xavier Legrand and Alexandre Gavras

Best Animated Short Film – Get a Horse!

*I submitted this prediction to the 4th Pinoyexchange Oscar Pool (my fourth year of joining! during the first year, I placed 8th, unplaced on the second year and came in at 10th place last year)

for 50 bonus points, after predicting the winners for all 24 categories, the participant has the option to pick ONE PEx Oscar Prediction (listed below) which s/he will think will happen.

PEx Oscar Predictions:

  1. Leonardo DiCaprio will finally win his first Oscar
  2. “Let it Go” will not win Best Original Song
  3. There will be a tie in at least one category
  4. The Best Film Editing winner will not win Best Picture
  5. The Best Director winner will come from the Best Picture winner

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Review: The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Posted on February 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Oscar Trophy - Specials

Based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir, The Wolf Of Wall Street adequately narrates Belfort’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) conquest in New York making it big in Wall Street at any cost. Adapted by Terence Winter who created  HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and have written in the award winning The Sopranos, Director Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio partnered once again as they introduced as to Belfort’s world encompassing his rich and lavish lifestyle that includes drugs, sex and anything that money can buy.

When I “personally” pointed out that Jennifer Lawrence was seemingly the heir apparent to Meryl Streep, I immediately thought of his male counterpart and I easily thought of Leo. He’s perfection for the role and his subtle charm and overflowing charisma easily translates into the screen. Truly Leonardo DiCaprio is one of a kind. Some critics said that he’s sometimes too rehearsed or too exaggerated but I beg to disagree, dear Sir and Ma’am. I thought he’s acting style is singular because he knows how to commit into a character. Jonah Hill (who played Donnie, Belfort’s neighbor) was such a delight as he explode here with his comedic timing like no other actor could do. A one of a kind performance as well that nagged him several acclaims since its run. Margot Robbie whom I thought looked ravishing was equally amazing as Naomi Belfort – she’s just so fun to watch!

I’ve to say though, that what truly stands out in this film aside from the three actors that I mentioned above was the perfect use of scoring and cinematography. Both enamored me into feeling that this truly was the 90’s.  The 90’s was my growing up years and it felt fluid and too reminiscent all throughout the film. That is what I call good direction.

This is yet another Scorsese’s masterpiece depicting a charming Leo as a hero who scammed millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors – which is basically what the film’s all about. Their partnership was truly a force in the industry. Leo knows what Marty wanted him to do in this film and both delivered exceptionally well. Leo’s truly a gem in film.

Leonardo, you are simply magnificent. (mimicking Marion Cottilard during her Oscar presentation to Kate Winslet. LOL)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Job Favreau, Jean Dujardin, Joanna Lumley, Cristin Milioti, Christine Ebersole, Shea Whigham, Katarina Cas, P.J. Byrne, Kenneth Choi, Brian Sacca, Henry Zebrowski, Ethan Suplee, Barry Rothbart, Jake Hoffman, Mackenzie Meehan, Spike Jonze, Bo Dietl

Rating: 9.5/10

*The Wolf Of Wall Street received five Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

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Review: Her (2013)

Posted on February 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Her2013PosterHer without a doubt should be considered as a frontrunner for Best Original Screenplay for the Oscars. Its premise of falling inlove with a machine (an operating system) was a reminiscent and was very much like the obsession of Al Pacino’s character to Simone. This film however took a direction very different from the latter. The year was 2025 and Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), someone who writes under a company named beautifulhandwrittenletters. Theodore was in the brink of divorce with his wife Catherine (Rooney Mara) and was desperately in need of company until he met the OS which he named Samantha. Together, they talked about love and life with Theodore seeking love advise from Samantha (Scarlett Johansson) which eventually led to them falling in love with each other.

Now this seemed to be a bit out of order, yes? But you gotta remember that it’s the year 2025 and falling in love is yes – that simple. Funny thing is, since Sam’s a microchip the two cannot have sex – an indication that the relationship to work in the long run is impossible and there can’t be no physical human connection that could transpire.

I thought Joaquin Phoenix portrayal was very commendable for there was a feel of longing and sadness in his approach which so become him

The premise may not seemed original at all but it’s charming and has character. Director Spike Jonze delivered a passive yet arresting sequences of events that is both endearing and unique.

Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Pratt, Matt Letscher, Sam Jaeger, Luka Jones, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Spike Jonze, Portia Doubleday, Soko, Brian Cox

Rating: 8/10

*Her  received five Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

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Review: Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Posted on February 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Dallas_Buyers_Club_poster

The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, suffering from AIDS and tried a way to improve his health by taking unapproved pharmaceutical drugs and illegally smuggled them for his fellow AIDS patient. The Dallas Buyers Club was the buyer’s club that Woodroof established with the help of  unlikely partners which became highly successful amongst AIDS patients.

This film clad in the ever so colorful life of homosexuals and people affected by AIDS established a strong balance of fact and fiction during the years when the combat against the disease was still unrecognized and was ostracized by the society.

Prior to watching this, the buzz about McConaughey’s performance was already loud and clear that he’s set to head in this year’s Oscar with no other rivals to get in the way. After finally getting the chance to watch it, I have to believe it myself. McConaughey’s rendition here as the homophobic Texan who became the unlikely hero of the gay community was flawless – it’s like the male Sophie – luminescent, one of a kind and truly singular.

Jare Leto who played the pre-op transgender Rayon was equally exceptional providing tenderness to McConaughey’s obnoxious yet effective approach to Woodroof.

Dallas Buyers Club is a biopic that lends its ears and opens its heart to the audience especially to the ones suffering from the disease for it supplemented a straightforward approach and presented what’s really happening back then and even now which keeps people fighting for their rights and fighting for their lives.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Dallas Roberts, Michael O’Neill, Denis O’Hare, Griffin Dunne, John Tabler, Jane McNeil, James DuMont, Bradford Cox, Kevin Rankin, Lawrence Turner, Matthew Thompson, Adam Dunn, Scott Takeda, Deneen Tyler, Donna Duplantier

Rating: 7.5/10

*Dallas Buyers Club  received six Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

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Review: Captain Phillips (2013)

Posted on February 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

Captain Phillips chronicles the hijacking of the US container ship Maersk Alabama by a group of Somali Pirates. Led by Captain Richard Phillips, the film depicted his captivity and the instances that follows his release. Based on A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips himself, the film isn’t as simple as it seemed. There were moments in it that some scenes oddly seemed predictable but due to their intensity, it still gives you that staggering affect of thrill and terror.

Tom Hanks for one delivered a powerful portrayal of someone under the mercy of another man. His interaction with pirate leader Muse (Barkhad Abdi) provided the heart of the film. Scenes that feels human and stretch a keen observation of the difference between two cultures.

Newcomer Barkhad Abdi provided a beautiful acting performance here that deserves respect and accolades. There was a raw approach in it, perhaps because he’s new but whatever it was – he should always make use of it.

This was a well-made film for it adapted a real event with less dramatics but more focus. Tom Hanks yet again proved why he’s still here and Paul Greengrass should be proud of this one because it’s truly a gem to be cited by film reviewers and film makers in the future.

Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Catherine Keener, Faysal Ahmed, David Washofsky, Corey Johnson, Chris Mulkey, Yuz Vazquez, Max Martini, Omar Berdouni

Rating: 8/10

*Captain Phillips received six Academy Award nominations, including the Best Picture category.

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Review: Gravity (2013)

Posted on February 20, 2014 | Leave a comment
via wikipedia

via wikipedia

During the film’s theatrical showing here in Manila last year, the film initially garnered mixed reactions from the audience. Some people totally loved it and some peeps are just plain disappointed. Now, re-watching the film, I find myself still enamored with the whole idea of Afonso Cuaron’s baby.

Gravity is a space thriller that allows us to travel into space and be trapped in it. Yes, along with Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney,) we the audience went to our first shuttle mission with Kowalsky as our guide and advisor. But you see, Kowalsky couldn’t save us as we’re all running out of oxygen and we’ve little chances of survival to begin with. Much to our disappointment, we aren’t even trained to do this unlike the two! Great! Just fucking great!!

You see, Stone was a medical engineer who’s been training at NASA with Kowalsky supervising her. Now, the good thing is, like us – this was her first mission as well. But due to some stupid crew from some space station I wouldn’t even mention, we’re screwed! Their nasty debris went to our direction and we’re left floating around the space hanging rather floating for our dear life. Oh and thanks to you Ed Harris – thinking of Apollo 13 made me even squirmed! Let’s switch places here please! This is our doom!

Now, Stone’s just being overly dramatic. No don’t move Stone. You’re still good. Save the oxygen pretty please. I love it that I couldn’t exactly guess what you are thinking now since I can see everything in your face alone! That is what I call great skill! Keep that up Stoney!

Oh shoot! Watch out you guys! Damn! Fuck! What the fuck was that?!!!! Run, I mean, hover or float or whatever! Watch out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, there’s the long awkward silence again.

I’m suffocating now, I mean’s where’s the sun and why is it all dark? Yes, Stone – I told you! You are not to say a single word! You’re only allowed one word per eight minutes! Yup, okay. You’re doing great  just now! Let’s keep this up. And Kowalsky, you’re the man. You know it.

Silence…

Silence…

And that my friend was the effect of watching the film,– Cuaron took us to a place where we are with the characters. It’s a spectacular creation from a genius imagination with the help of some technical whiz kids. Now, I can’t tell you enough how much I totally enjoyed watching this film. It’s literally mind boggling – in a sense that this couldn’t possibly be that good. I mean, how did Cuaron made this one??

Silence…

I’m just speechless.

Rating: 10 / 10

Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

*The film is nominated for 10 Academy Awards including  Best Actress, Best Director and Best Picture to name a few

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Review: 12 Years A Slave (2013)

Posted on February 19, 2014 | Leave a comment
via wikipedia

via wikipedia

Adapted from Solomon Northup’s autobiography, 12 Years A Slave chronicles the enduring and most of the time painful memory of Northup’s life into slavery. Born as a freeman, Northup was abducted and was sold as a slave from master to master and eventually grasping the freedom he never thought would come.

Prior to watching the film, I already have a preconceived idea about what’s it going to be. Not a clear one but almost a foreshadowing on how this would turn out – sold into slavery then the lead fought for freedom and that’s it. I was wrong though – blatantly  wrong.

12 Years A Slave may very well be the best movie of all time to capture the heart and soul of that nasty memory of human history where slavery and racial inequality was the most prevalent thing in the world that it’s almost dreamy.  Director Steve McQueen did not back down on letting us see the almost physical and psychological trauma that will engulf his audience. I for one felt a bit uncomfortable watching some of the scenes especially that scene when Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o,) a fellow slave was stripped, tied to a post and was whipped by Solomon (Chiwetel Ejiofor) himself and his second master Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender.) It was just heartbreaking and totally painful to watch.

 Now, speaking of the three, they all provided the right synergy to connect with their audience. Lupita Nyong’o delivered an almost innocent and flawless performance that I find myself overwhelmed by it. Michael Fassbender, the sadistic and drunk second master of Solomon was perfection here! He provided that lethal feel to the character yet at some point, you’d also feel for him.

Chiwetel Ejiofor on the other hand was almost numb to what’s happening with his character that his Solomon was flowing through him. He is him. Ejiofor was translucent and targeted his audience with those eyes – haunting eyes, blaming, begging, piercing eyes. This was a performance so powerful it will break you.

As an afterthought, the film was consistent in providing a drastic storyline that encompasses Solomon’s life to the point that it’s almost nonsensical to ask for more. It was sentimental, yes, but it provides authority. Sure, it’s a total Oscar bait but it’s all worth it. It was a film that is worthy of talk and worthy of endurance amongst all the films to come in later years.

Rating: 9.5 / 10

Director: Steve McQueen
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Adepero Oduye, Paul Giamatti, Alfre Woodard

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Review: American Hustle (2013)

Posted on February 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

Oscar Trophy - Specials

American Hustle is one of those movies last year that talks about ripping people off, scamming and all that is seemingly conniving. Don’t get the wrong idea though, David O’Russell created this film with an ensemble so strong that they almost overpowered the film’s plot and each character made a stirring narrative that resulted to a film so flawlessly acted and smoothly executed.

via impawards

via impawards

Take for one the ever so versatile Christian Bale who made himself yet again, bigger and had to double the weight of his character from his equally stunning performance in The Fighter. Bale plays the part of Irving Rosenfeld, a con-man who partnered with Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams,) a very beautiful con-artist herself and was forced to work under an FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) to crack down politicians involved in the “Abscam Scandal” during the late eighties. Bale was, in my opinion at his best here with a charm so enigmatic you can’t help but applaud him secretly. That was also the case with Amy Adams who delivered a riveting and a straight A performance that supplemented Bale more angst and acuity in his role.

via movies.yahoo.com

via movies.yahoo.com

But you have to understand that this was not the case of prioritizing the leading roles. Nope, it’s not. Jennifer Lawrence who played Rosalyn, the chain-smoking better half of Rosenfeld explicitly pops up at every scene she’s in like she’s the boss. Lawrence could very well be the “heir apparent” on the throne held by La Streep. She’s just untouchable here and at any given year, she could easily win an Oscar even besting her Best Actress winning performance in Silver Linings Playbook. And then we have Bradley Cooper who wouldn’t let go and will prove his acting prowess over and over again. I never thought that Cooper could easily win me over a role so straight-up that he disappeared from it.

Now this is what’s a bit troubling about the film. It felt a bit contrive in a sense that it took some time to appreciate the story more than its characters. It’s a fine one though, a very fine one for that matter. I wouldn’t have much interest in it to begin with had it not starred Bale and Adams but for what it’s worth – the film was an affirmation of Russell’s attention to details and focus to what gives the movie a heart. It has a heart that moves people, a beating one that mobilize them and one that has its own mind.

Rating: 8.5 / 10

Director: David O. Russell
Starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K

Nominated for 10 Oscars Category including Best Picture, Best Director, All the acting category and technical awards. (source)

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Book Review: The Great Santini by Pat Conroy

Posted on February 15, 2014 | Leave a comment
via barnesandnoble.com
via barnesandnoble.com

Inspired by his life as a kid growing up with a military dad, Pat Conroy delivered a book so surreal that a character like Bull Meecham will stick with you as someone you’d all be willing to hate and all too caring to love. As with most of his books, The Great Santini followed the same structure as some of his equally well-beloved novels. a domineering and most of the time abusive father, a strong-willed yet passive mother, and children whose strengths were formed over the years through a tumultuous childhood.

I became an instant fan of Pat Conroy when I first read one of his novels, Beach Music (my all-time favorite), and I eventually read most of his books I could get my hands on, including The Prince of Tides, The Water Is Wide, The Lords of Discipline, South Of Broad, and this masterpiece published in 1976 and made into a 1979 film starring Robert Duvall.

The film received two Academy Awards nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Duvall and Best Actor in a supporting role for Michael O'Keefe
The film received two Academy Awards nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Duvall and Best Actor in a supporting role for Michael O’Keefe

Based on his experiences, it is always a pleasure to read one of Mr. Conroy’s novels. The Great Santini’s authenticity reduces me to half-hysteria, and more often than not, I find myself all too depressed to continue reading after a chapter yet too eager to know how things turned out for the characters that I came to love and root for. Bull Meecham, or the Great Santini, in the book reminded me so much of my father when I was a little boy, and overtime, I realized how much I missed those days when my Tatay’s words were the law at home, which eventually subsided as he was consumed by age and eventually by death. (I’d take all his orders with glee just to see him now.)

In some ways, I love how I could relate to the Meecham kids. I just love how a book like this could easily place itself in the territory of my heart and evoke certain memories from my long-forgotten yet missed past—that is the power of The Great Santini.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Review: Little Manhattan (2005)

Posted on February 14, 2014 | Leave a comment

via wikipedia

via wikipedia

For some reason, this film reminds me so much of 500 Days of Summer, though bigger in so many ways. It was the story of Gabe (Josh Hutcherson,) a young kid in Manhattan whose parents are about to divorce and how he felt love for Rosemary and his young heart breaking for the first time.

The film consisted of some serious lines delivered by the ever so charming Josh Hutcherson. It was a thorough inspection of love, young love, giving and receiving it and dealing with it altogether. Just how a film could give us a breakdown of Love 101? Little Manhattan dissects the word pretty good that you’d find yourself smiling from ear to ear while being moved at the same time.

Best Scene: That scene when Gabe was literally bawling after a heated telephone call with Rosemary. That was just hillarious!

Rating: 9.5 / 10

Director: Mark Levin / Jennifer Flackett
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Charlie Ray, Bradly Whitford, Cynthia Nixon

by the way, Happy Valentines folks!

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