My Thoughts On The Academy Awards

First, as pretentious as critics can be, I won't attempt to even say that I've seen every film nominated or can even pretend to recite each nominee's body of work. But, I know what I have enjoyed, and that is what I'm basing my thoughts on.

So, let's take a look at the Oscar Nominees, and really, let's just focus on Best Film because I'm too lazy to look at anything else. Shall we?

For Best Picture, we have the following:

The Artist - Thomas Langmann, Producer
The Descendants - Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Scott Rudin, Producer
The Help - Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
Hugo - Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
Midnight in Paris - Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
Moneyball - Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
The Tree of Life - Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers
War Horse - Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

I have  to say that I have not seen The Help, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Moneyball. So that rules those films out for me. Tree of Life, I absolutely despised on every level. Though I thought the flashback story had relevance and potential, I couldn't move pass... pretty much the rest of the movie. Unless you are Jurassaic Park, leave dinosaurs out of your movie. It was that bad for me. Don't judge.

Because kids who make zombie movies rule!

Now, with War Horse, will admit was very good, but not good enough to take home Best Picture. To be honest, if we are going to pick a Spielberg film, Super 8 should have been nominated instead. Visually, War Horse was picturesque and beautifully shot. However, plot wise, Super 8 had me because "Goonies never say die."

Because that street is gorgeous. My street has a pothole

the size of baby elephant. I'm just saying...

Midnight in Paris had me in the first five minutes with the gorgeous scenic shots of Paris, Sidney Bechet's Si tu vois ma mère playing in the background and the ridiculously awesome notion that a writer could be transported back in time to meet his inspirations, all at the stroke of midnight. If this film were not in the company that it was in, I would have to throw my vote in for Woody Allen, all the while sipping my champagne while eating some grandiose piece of cheese that I have no idea actually came from France. Sue me, I love all things française.

Personally, I wouldn't complain if Clooney was 

my husband. Hear that, George! 

I wouldn't cheat on you!!

The Descendants is a solid piece of work from Alexander Payne (even though I hated Sideways and people who insist that Pinot Noir is delicious). But, I have so many issues with this entire selection, I don't know where to begin. All lot of it stems from the Advanced Screening at HIFF. My line shifted so many times, that each time the line was moved, people had cut in front of me. By the time I made it in, I was sitting in the second row to the front. I was so over the screening, I had no energy to dedicate to this story. However, I did read the novel prior and my true complaint is really the lack of emotion I felt from the film, that I felt while reading the book. Really a simple case of book was better for me than the film, though George Clooney did do an amazing job of playing Matt King. I'll just add that it was wonderfully acted, I just preferred the book.

Ben Kingsley is amazing, enough said. 

Now, Hugo I absolutely adore but not for this category. I think hands down, Martin Scorsese should win for Best Director. Without his vision, this film would not have been so captivating. It was not just his use of 3D that worked for me, but how it was incorporated. It didn't become a gimmick, but an enhancement to the overall tone and direction of the film. For those who have read the book like I have, are thrilled that Scorsese saw something wonderful and magical and was able to bring the written and illustrated pages from Brian Selznick's story to life.

My choice of Best Film... The Artist. Why? Because it is a brilliantly told story that made you smile, laugh, tear up, and finally rejoice. Regardless of its homage to Silent Films, The Artist was absolutely everything I can ask for in a movie. It entertained me... I loved the characters... And I became enthralled in the story. Enough said, Best Film for 2011. And it wasn't the dog that had my heart. It was the relationship between the two main characters. Just a great movie overall.

Now how about films that were not nominated. Personally, in looking back I would have liked to have seen 50/50 with Joseph Gordon-Levitt get some attention. Whether it's for best actor for Gordon-Levitt himself, or best supporting actress for Anjelica Huston, the movie is really a heartbreaking but well told story of one man's journey, from the time he finds out he has cancer, to the changing relationships around him. It respects how life moves on, and gives you hope that regardless of the outcome, matters.

In addition, I'll say it again. Drive with Ryan Gosling was an extremely well made film. Couldn't it get a little love for maybe Art Direction, Cinematography or Film Editing? I bet it was because of that cheesy 80's soundtrack, huh? Yup, I'm sure that's why it was snubbed this year. Either way, Drive was thought provoking and Ryan Gosling made the film (with his shirt on, I might add). But damn, Albert Brooks stole every scene! I'm just going to say it. Drive was *&%$ing awesome!!

All in all, there were a lot of great performances this last year and I look forward to seeing who will win top honors at the Academy Awards *coughs The Artist*. I guess we'll find out this Sunday!

New Death and others by James Hutchings

New Death and others
Author: James Hutchings

eBook available on Smashwords, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. for $0.99.

Summary: Death gets a roommate... An electronic Pope faces a difficult theological question... A wicked vizier makes a terrible bargain...

44 stories. 19 poems. No sparkly vampires. There's a thin line between genius and insanity, and James Hutchings has just crossed it - but from which direction?

My Review: Love. That is all. It is so nice to find an indie author's compilation of short stories, and ones that are so well written. Right out the gate, I was amazed. So much so, I handed the iPad to Noe and asked her to read it. We both collectively went, "Ooooh. That's good!"

What I love about short stories and poems are that they are quick reads and easy to turn to when you don't have time for a 1,000 page novel (yes, I'm looking at you author of Game of Thrones series!) And probably my most favored collection is of the late great Edgar Allen Poe. This I think of, when I read Hutchings' stories.

Here is a sample of his work titled "The God of the Poor"

In the beginning of the world the gods considered all those things which did not have their own gods, to decide who would have responsibility and rulership.

"I will rule all flowers that are sky-blue in colour," said the Sky-Father.

"I will listen to the prayers of migratory birds, and you all other birds," the goddess Travel said to him. And so it went.

At last all had been divided, save for one thing.

"Who," asked the Sky-Father, "shall have dominion over the poor?"

There was an awkward silence, until the Sky-Father said,

"Come - someone must. Those with no gods will grow restless and cunning, and in time will cast us down, and we shall be gods no more."

"Not I," said blind Justice, and her stony face flashed a momentary smirk at the thought. "Why not Fame or Fortune?"

"Darling I don't think so," said the sister goddesses together.

There was a long pause. The gods shuffled their feet and avoided one another's gaze. At last a voice broke the silence.

"I will," said Death.

The Vow directed by Michael Sucsy

The Vow

Rated PG-13

The Vow is a tragic love story that seems like it’s based off of a Nicholas Sparks novel, starring actors that have in fact, been in films based off a Nicholas Sparks novel.

In actuality, the film is based off real life couple Nick and Krickett Carpentar, who were in automobile accident in 1993 that left the woman (Krickett) with no recollection of the year prior, including her wedding which was a mere 10 weeks before the accident. The story is about her recovery and how the couple had to work through the complications of memory loss and more important, love loss, as Krickett did not recognize her husband nor could find the means to stay married to a man that she did remember.

Here’s a tip: don’t go into this screening thinking you are going to be watching an extremely romantic movie. The clips that you see of the couple in the trailer, names changed for obvious reasons, are of Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) happily in love. Yet, they are only flashbacks. A majority of the movie is spent uncomfortably after the accident, as Leo comes to realize that his wife’s last memories are of the times she spent in College, engaged to another man. In fact, she doesn’t resemble the woman that Leo married at all, and likewise, Leo does not come close to the type of man that Paige was engaged too. Though I can sympathize with Paige’s condition and the circumstances of her situation, I found McAdams, who plays the young woman, incredibly annoying. Might I remind you that she woke up to seeing her husband looking like Channing Tatum! Joking aside, Paige (McAdams) was so frustratingly cruel to Leo at times, that I found myself saying, “You deserve better, Leo. Let it go.”

But, I will give credit where credit is due and Channing Tatum’s acting has improved considerably. I found his performance heartfelt and believable. He definitely carried the weight of the film and his character’s persistence is to be commended.

Overall, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I didn’t shed a tear and damn them for showing us photos of the real life couple! Yet, in the end, I was only slight moved by the context of the story and did not find the film incredibly endearing. Still, it was an interesting enough and worth seeing for Tatum’s performance. The Vow opens in theatres today, February 10.

Cast and Credit:

Directed by Michael Sucsy

Channing Tatum-Leo

Rachel McAdams-Paige

Jessica Lange-Rita Thorton

Sam Neil-Bill Thorton

The Woman In Black directed by James Watkins

The Woman In Black 
Rated PG-13

Movie Summary: A young lawyer travels to a remote village where he discovers the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.

My Review: Have I told you that I love a good English ghost story? The Others with Nicole Kidman is one of my all time favorites. With that being said, I had high expectations for this story.

The movie begins right out the gate with the horrific suicide of three little girls. Graphic and to the point, the movie follows a steady course to reveal a small village ravaged by a curse. Young children mysteriously die, all while the image of a woman in black appears before these children's untimely deaths.

With the arrival of a young attorney who must go through the mounds of papers, left behind by an recently deceased old woman's estate, begins to stir the energy within the town, as he too begins to see this infamous woman in black. Intrigued, he digs deeper into the lore behind this ominous spirit and begins to piece together the mystery behind her rage.

I must start first with Daniel Radcliffe's performance. He was absolutely riveting as the young attorney, who is also a widowed father. I was blown away at his realistic portrayal. He did a great job. In simple terms, this kid can act.

But I wasn't extremely impressed with ghost itself. Let me rephrase that, there are definitely nail-biting scenes, and I definitely covered my eyes in a few scenes. It's just that I didn't feel fully satisfied with the story itself. Visually, the director was spot on. Plot wise, it was only ok for me.

However, I would still highly recommend this film while it's in theaters. It is very well acted, and scary at just the right moments. It is quite the solid ghost story. My complaints are honestly few, only that I didn't care for the ending. I like resolution and I didn't get it. But, it's still a damn great ride the entire way through and Radcliffe has become one of my favorite actors. Many might say that he didn't look the age of a young attorney/father. I beg to differ. He absolutely pulled it off. Radcliffe is actually what made the film so good in my opinion.

So should you see it? YES! The Woman In Black is playing in theaters now.

Cast and Credit: 
Directed by James Watkins
Daniele Radcliffe-Arthur
Roger Allam-Mr. Bentley

Catspell by Danyelle Leafty

Author: Danyelle Leafty

Available: Ebook published 10/22/11

Book Summary: Sixteen-year-old Breena never thought anything could be worse than being forced to leave the faerie realm. Then she got stuck with a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she’d leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.

Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though. The potion wasn’t meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she’ll have to accept that sometimes a fairy godmother really does come in handy, after all.

Noe's Review: I received a PDF from the author, with the intention of giving my honest thoughts on her book. I have to say that the story was really good and the characters were really likable. However, I felt the story was a little predictable at times. But it is a solid fairy tale. 

What I will say is how much I love the idea behind this story, and with the characters being likable, enjoyed reading this story very much. I do recommend the book, and give it four stars! 

You can find Catspell on Goodreads, and I definitely encourage you to check out the author's website, Danyelle Leafty. 

The Innkeepers directed by Ti West

The Innkeepers
Rated R

Movie Summary: During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.

My Review: I was intrigued by this film because it had generated some buzz with its most recent trailer. Oh, you know the one. Raw footage of a rocking chair in a dark room. Then after minutes of staring at it, waiting for something to happen, a ghost jumps out at you. Actually, I got too scared to even watch the trailer…

So, when it became available on VOD, I had to see it. I love a good ghost story!

The premise behind the film is that this old boutique hotel is finally shutting its doors for good. The two remaining employees left, stay the entire weekend since the other employees have already been dismissed. 

Luke (Pat Healy) runs a blog that features the history of the hotel, which includes the tale of a young woman’s suicide. In addition, the website also showcases a couple of video clips of what is presumed to be paranormal activity within the hotel. Intrigued, Claire (Sara Paxton) agrees to help Luke capture substantial proof with the time they have left, proving once and for all, the hotel is indeed truly haunted.

Let me just add two thoughts at this point. One: the hotel has a very shining’ish feel to it. It’s no wonder business is bad! Two: Sara Paxton nails her character. She epitomizes every young woman in her early twenties. In fact, without naming names, I was convinced that she reminded me of someone in my family and that saddened me because I didn’t want to see Claire aka girl-in-my-family die or get hurt.

Moving on…

The story is slow. Very slow! At times I even forgot we were watching a rated R horror film. And then enters one new guest, Ms. Leanne Rease Jones (Kelly McGillis) who happens to be a psychic. But of course! For me, she didn’t really offer anything of worth to the story but I suppose her only benefit was to help the audience confirm that there is something disturbing and ominous with the hotel. But for the most part, the interaction between Luke and Claire is entertaining enough that their hijinks carry the film.

But, as the story moves slowly to its finale, events around the hotel begin to become dangerously real as Claire and Luke become caught in the mist of it. It’s like the hotel will not let them leave, again a shining’ish quality to the hotel. (I suppose this was NOT in the employee manual? Try to reveal the haunting, work in the hotel forever...)

And then there is the last twenty minutes or so of the movie. My thoughts, I didn’t expect that! So in the end, I thought it did its job. I was a little disturbed as the credits rolled; I’m not going to lie. But, due to its very slow build, I think this film is not for everyone. If you’re expecting screams out the gate, you won’t find them here. The screams are laughable but minimal in retrospect.

I’m giving this three out of five, because it was a tad bit slow in the beginning. Noe actually watched it with me and she's giving it three 1/2 because she slept with her light on. But, I am saying that it’s worth checking out, if only for Sara Paxton’s performance.

The Innkeepers opens in theatres today.