It's a FAKE silent film! See how clever that is? We are super clever! Award us now for our cleverness!!
Nominated for:
Best Actor (Jean Dujardin)
Best Supporting Actress (Berenice Bejo)
Directing (Michel Hazanavicius)
Best Picture
Original Screenplay (Michel Hazanavicius)
Also nominated for:
Art Direction
Cinematography
Costume Design
Film Editing
Original Score
The set up for this story (talking pictures are putting the silent film actors out of work!) is very cute, but there isn't much depth past that point. There's just the massive Weinstein distribution machine pumping out tons of buzz. The whole movie feels like one big wink, one big novelty act. And hanging an entire film on a punch line is a very tricky thing.
Now, out of all the nominations this film has received (waaaaaay too many nominations), the one that is the most confusing is the Original Score nomination. This score has generated quite a bit controversy due to the fact that a large chunk of the music is lifted from Bernard Herrmann's love theme in Vertigo. Which is, you know, only one of the most recognizable film scores ever written. Why a black and white movie about silent films is "paying tribute" to a 1958 Hitchcock thriller about possession and obsession isn't very clear. I mean, at least have the decency to lift shit from your OWN scores, like John Williams.
Really, I should have loved this thing. I love old Hollywood movies. I love the look of black and white film. I love seeing filmmakers push their creative boundaries. But this mess relies way too heavily on the "silent film" schtick, and the business with the film score stinks of laziness and plagiarism. Booooooo!
Eli
PS - I know I'm going to get in trouble for the John Williams comment. I'm talking RECENT John Williams, not back-when-Spielberg-made-respectable-movies John Williams, ok? I'm talking to you, Ryan.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo
Revenge is a dish best served by Lisbeth Salander.
Nominated for:
Best Actress (Rooney Mara)
Also nominated for:
Cinematography
Film Editing
Sound Editing
Sound Mixing
Fans of the book will definitely enjoy David Fincher's adaptation of everyone's favourite blood-soaked trilogy. He does his best to smooth out the awkward story arch with some lovely cinematography and a delicious soundscape. Daniel Craig is flippin' fabulous, as always, and the faux-swedish accent is hardly irritating!
But really, the best reason to watch this film is Rooney Mara. If anyone is going to win out over Meryl Streep this year, it's this bad ass. And while there are some elements in the film that grate on my nerves (too long, too choppy, weird opening credits), nothing takes away from the fact that Lisbeth Salander is awesome. And terrifying. And terrifyingly awesome.
Eli
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Episode 2
Hello again!
Here lies a freshly uploaded podcast for your listening pleasure. Remember to email any thoughts or comments to elismoviemassacre@gmail.com and to follow this shit show on twitter @elismassacre.
Enjoy!
Moneyball by Moviemassacre
Here lies a freshly uploaded podcast for your listening pleasure. Remember to email any thoughts or comments to elismoviemassacre@gmail.com and to follow this shit show on twitter @elismassacre.
Enjoy!
Moneyball by Moviemassacre
The Help
Racism is pretty!
Nominated for:
Best Actress (Viola Davis)
Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer)
Best Picture
There is so much jammed into this movie that nothing has a chance to properly unfold, and because nothing has a chance to unfold, the filmmakers have to explain everything to you. This movie is heavy on explaining why rascism is bad, on why black women had a rough time in 1960's Mississippi, on how segregation was a bad thing. Because we, the audience, haven't already figured that out? And if everything is so awful, how come the whole thing looks like a cartoon?
It's two and a half hours of sassy mississippi black women getting revenge on their spoilt, over-priviledged "employers", which would be highly entertaining if the whole thing wasn't drenched in sap. For whatever reason, Walt Disney Studios felt the need to whack us over the head thirty times with their mightier-than-thou morals. And there are many, many reasons not to follow the morals of the almighty Walt Disney studios.
Yeah, the acting is pretty good. One of the supporting ladies will probably win. But no one will care about this movie in 3 months, let's just move on. Ok? Yes.
Eli
Nominated for:
Best Actress (Viola Davis)
Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer)
Best Picture
There is so much jammed into this movie that nothing has a chance to properly unfold, and because nothing has a chance to unfold, the filmmakers have to explain everything to you. This movie is heavy on explaining why rascism is bad, on why black women had a rough time in 1960's Mississippi, on how segregation was a bad thing. Because we, the audience, haven't already figured that out? And if everything is so awful, how come the whole thing looks like a cartoon?
It's two and a half hours of sassy mississippi black women getting revenge on their spoilt, over-priviledged "employers", which would be highly entertaining if the whole thing wasn't drenched in sap. For whatever reason, Walt Disney Studios felt the need to whack us over the head thirty times with their mightier-than-thou morals. And there are many, many reasons not to follow the morals of the almighty Walt Disney studios.
Yeah, the acting is pretty good. One of the supporting ladies will probably win. But no one will care about this movie in 3 months, let's just move on. Ok? Yes.
Eli
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Beginners
OLD PEOPLE HAVE SEX!! OMGWTFBBQZXY!!1!1!!!!!
Nominated for:
Best supporting actor (Christopher Plummer)
Let's start this round off with a good one, ok? This is a lovely film. Elegant, graceful, honest, touching... its the whole package. The acting is superb (Melanie Laurent and Ewan McGregor deserve nominations as well), and the beautiful art direction ties together an otherwise non-linear story. Christopher Plummer is spot on, as always. There's also an adorable dog that speaks in subtitles to Ewan McGregor, and some subtle jabs at indy musicians and hipsters. All good things, in my book.
I'm so pleased that this film picked up a nomination, though it should have gotten way more. Don't let the trailers deceive you - this is a movie about a man who is dying (that's not a spoiler, its the opening line of the film). I pretty much sobbed throughout the whole thing. Metaphorically sobbed, I mean. I don't cry - my tear ducts turned to dust a long time ago.
Also, this is a great example of a film that uses voice-over narration properly - that is, to propel the story and add information, instead of just explaining the images in front of you. And there are some stunning images in this gorgeous little piece of cinema. Check out director Mike Mills talking about the locations they used.
Enjoy! I promise the next review will be savage and full of bile.
Eli
Nominated for:
Best supporting actor (Christopher Plummer)
Let's start this round off with a good one, ok? This is a lovely film. Elegant, graceful, honest, touching... its the whole package. The acting is superb (Melanie Laurent and Ewan McGregor deserve nominations as well), and the beautiful art direction ties together an otherwise non-linear story. Christopher Plummer is spot on, as always. There's also an adorable dog that speaks in subtitles to Ewan McGregor, and some subtle jabs at indy musicians and hipsters. All good things, in my book.
I'm so pleased that this film picked up a nomination, though it should have gotten way more. Don't let the trailers deceive you - this is a movie about a man who is dying (that's not a spoiler, its the opening line of the film). I pretty much sobbed throughout the whole thing. Metaphorically sobbed, I mean. I don't cry - my tear ducts turned to dust a long time ago.
Also, this is a great example of a film that uses voice-over narration properly - that is, to propel the story and add information, instead of just explaining the images in front of you. And there are some stunning images in this gorgeous little piece of cinema. Check out director Mike Mills talking about the locations they used.
Enjoy! I promise the next review will be savage and full of bile.
Eli
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
DAMN YOU SPIELBERG!!!!!
Goddamn Warhorse squeezed in at the end with a best picture nomination. Hey Spielberg, it's bad enough that you're still making movies, you gotta take my money too?
In other news, there are quite a few lovely films that have been nominated. Moneyball and Tree of Life got their due. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (and maybe even Margin Call - so many men in suits!) And I'm pleased to see Kristen Wig's nomination for the Bridesmaids screenplay. This year's massacre may be a little disappointing...
Aww, who am I kidding? There is so much testosterone infused in this year's nominees that by the time the awards are handed out, it'll be a miracle if I don't have a freshly descended pair of testicles. Happy Oscar's 2012 everybody!
Here's the breakdown (links to the less buzzed-about films included for your convenience):
A Better Life: Best Actor (Demián Bichir)
The Descendants: Best Actor (George Clooney), Directing (Alexander Payne), Best Picture, Adapted Screeplay (Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash)
The Artist: Best Actor (Jean Dujardin), Best Supporting Actress (Berenice Bejo), Directing (Michel Hazanavicius), Best Picture, Original Screenplay (Michel Hazanavicius)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Best Actor (Gary Oldman), Adapted Screenplay (Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan)
Moneyball: Best Actor (Brad Pitt), Best Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay (Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin)
My Week with Marilyn: Best Supporting Actor (Kenneth Branagh), Best Actress (Michelle Williams)
Warrior: Best Supporting Actor (Nick Nolte)
Beginners: Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer)
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close: Best Supporting Actor (Max von Sydow), Best Picture
Albert Nobbs: Best Actress (Glenn Close), Best Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer)
The Help: Best Actress (Viola Davis), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer), Best Picture
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Best Actress (Rooney Mara)
The Iron Lady: Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
Hugo: Directing (Martin Scorsese), Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay (John Logan)
Midnight in Paris: Directing (Woody Allen), Best Picture, Original Screenplay (Woody Allen)
The Tree of Life: Direction (Terrence Malick), Best Picture
Bridesmaids: Best Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy), Original Screenplay (Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wig)
Warhorse: Best Picture
The Ides of March: Adapted Screenplay (George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon)
Margin Call: Original Screenplay (J.C. Chandor)
A Seperation: Original Screenplay (Asghar Farhadi)
I've only seen 5 of the 21 films listed above. I am so screwed.
Eli
Also - major props to the Quebec & Canadian film industry for Monsieur Lazhar!
In other news, there are quite a few lovely films that have been nominated. Moneyball and Tree of Life got their due. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (and maybe even Margin Call - so many men in suits!) And I'm pleased to see Kristen Wig's nomination for the Bridesmaids screenplay. This year's massacre may be a little disappointing...
Aww, who am I kidding? There is so much testosterone infused in this year's nominees that by the time the awards are handed out, it'll be a miracle if I don't have a freshly descended pair of testicles. Happy Oscar's 2012 everybody!
Here's the breakdown (links to the less buzzed-about films included for your convenience):
A Better Life: Best Actor (Demián Bichir)
The Descendants: Best Actor (George Clooney), Directing (Alexander Payne), Best Picture, Adapted Screeplay (Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash)
The Artist: Best Actor (Jean Dujardin), Best Supporting Actress (Berenice Bejo), Directing (Michel Hazanavicius), Best Picture, Original Screenplay (Michel Hazanavicius)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Best Actor (Gary Oldman), Adapted Screenplay (Bridget O'Connor & Peter Straughan)
Moneyball: Best Actor (Brad Pitt), Best Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill), Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay (Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin)
My Week with Marilyn: Best Supporting Actor (Kenneth Branagh), Best Actress (Michelle Williams)
Warrior: Best Supporting Actor (Nick Nolte)
Beginners: Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer)
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close: Best Supporting Actor (Max von Sydow), Best Picture
Albert Nobbs: Best Actress (Glenn Close), Best Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer)
The Help: Best Actress (Viola Davis), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain, Octavia Spencer), Best Picture
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Best Actress (Rooney Mara)
The Iron Lady: Best Actress (Meryl Streep)
Hugo: Directing (Martin Scorsese), Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay (John Logan)
Midnight in Paris: Directing (Woody Allen), Best Picture, Original Screenplay (Woody Allen)
The Tree of Life: Direction (Terrence Malick), Best Picture
Bridesmaids: Best Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy), Original Screenplay (Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wig)
Warhorse: Best Picture
The Ides of March: Adapted Screenplay (George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon)
Margin Call: Original Screenplay (J.C. Chandor)
A Seperation: Original Screenplay (Asghar Farhadi)
I've only seen 5 of the 21 films listed above. I am so screwed.
Eli
Also - major props to the Quebec & Canadian film industry for Monsieur Lazhar!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Awww yeah... Round 3 baby!
Tomorrow morning, the nominees for this year's Academy Awards will be announced.
I am ready for battle. My metaphorical sword is unsheathed and poised for attack. I will roundhouse kick any and all Hollywood shenanigans... with my WORDS!
In all honesty, this year I've probably gone and bitten off more than I can chew because I started a PODCAST! So not only will you be able to read my ranting and raving, you'll be able to listen to it as well. And though I strongly feel that my voice sounds like a pre-pubescent boy, some trusted sources have assured me that I sound like no such thing.
You can get a taste of episode 1 HERE! As of yet, it is for streaming purposes only. I hope that the podcast can carry on throughout the year, but such a thing will require some long term planning, like a producer, and proper studio equipment. For now, you'll have to settle for me and Dolores (that's the name of my microphone).
Also, I've got the twitter going (@elismassacre). That whole scene scares me quite a bit, but because I have so much love in my heart for all you readers (all 3 of you) I'm going to jump right in! So follow me goddammit, I don't want to look like a looser in front of all those twits...
Oh yeah, and the nominees are being announced by Jennifer Lawrence ...
Eli
I am ready for battle. My metaphorical sword is unsheathed and poised for attack. I will roundhouse kick any and all Hollywood shenanigans... with my WORDS!
In all honesty, this year I've probably gone and bitten off more than I can chew because I started a PODCAST! So not only will you be able to read my ranting and raving, you'll be able to listen to it as well. And though I strongly feel that my voice sounds like a pre-pubescent boy, some trusted sources have assured me that I sound like no such thing.
You can get a taste of episode 1 HERE! As of yet, it is for streaming purposes only. I hope that the podcast can carry on throughout the year, but such a thing will require some long term planning, like a producer, and proper studio equipment. For now, you'll have to settle for me and Dolores (that's the name of my microphone).
Also, I've got the twitter going (@elismassacre). That whole scene scares me quite a bit, but because I have so much love in my heart for all you readers (all 3 of you) I'm going to jump right in! So follow me goddammit, I don't want to look like a looser in front of all those twits...
Oh yeah, and the nominees are being announced by Jennifer Lawrence ...
Eli
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Episode 1!
Hi there nerdlings,
I've started putting together a podcast, and here's the first episode! Right now you can only stream the audio from this website, but soon its gonna be set up on iTunes and all kinds of other fancy stuff.
Let me know what you think, and if you'd like to participate (all voices are welcome). Also, if you want to volunteer and help me set up an RSS feed, I'll give you a cookie, or some gin.
Eli
The Movie Massacre Podcast - DRIVE by Moviemassacre
I've started putting together a podcast, and here's the first episode! Right now you can only stream the audio from this website, but soon its gonna be set up on iTunes and all kinds of other fancy stuff.
Let me know what you think, and if you'd like to participate (all voices are welcome). Also, if you want to volunteer and help me set up an RSS feed, I'll give you a cookie, or some gin.
Eli
The Movie Massacre Podcast - DRIVE by Moviemassacre
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
