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Oscar Picks for 2015

I know I've been MIA for a long time now but giving my opinion on the Oscars will always bring me out of obscurity.

Supporting Actress

Having seen all of the films the actresses are nominated for, I feel pretty strongly in saying that Patricia Arquette should get this one.  I think Emma Stone definitely deserved a nomination for her fiery performance in Birdman but I have no doubts she'll be back at the Oscars very soon.  Didn't quite understand why Meryl Streep was nominated for her 100th Oscar for Into the Woods. Laura Dern and Keira Knightley did fantastic work in Wild and The Imitation Game but neither had the challenge of maintaining a consistent character over a 12 year period like Arquette.  Her last scene of the film as Mason goes off to school is so true to life and heartbreaking.

Supporting Actor

Since I have not seen Foxcatcher (for some stupid reason) I cannot give an accurate prediction on this category.  Gathering from the different articles and opinions I have read I do feel pretty strongly that this one belongs to J.K. Simmons.  His performance in Whiplash was terrifying.  The man was pure, stinging poison as the music instructor, Fletcher.  I would love Ethan Hawke to win for the same reasons as Arquette but feel his competition is much stronger in this category. Edward Norton was also pitch perfect in Birdman, but we've all seen Norton give award-worthy performances. Simmons broke through his minor roles with a bang as Fletcher.

Best Actress

Again, because of limited and fairly recent release I did not have the opportunity to see Two Days, One Night so I cannot rate Cotillard's performance.  Knowing her though, I'm sure she was absolutely fantastic. Seeing all the other performances though, I have to go with Julianne Moore.  Her portrayal of the 50 year old Alice, diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's is so heartbreaking it makes you want to go in the film and help her out. Moore brings so much depth to Alice that you never see Moore as Moore, she is always Alice.  A feat that often doesn't happen with actors who have such expansive careers as Moore. Felicity Jones was did a beautiful job as Jane Hawking...making you feel the pure love she had for Stephen through her dedication to his health and work. Reese Witherspoon made you feel all the flaws and deep conflict that Cheryl Strayed had on her journey across the Pacific Crest trail. Rosamund Pike's breakthrough performance as narcissistic, all around crazy bitch, Amy Dunne was chilling. However, based on Moore's previous four nominations she deserves this one, not just because it's a long time overdo but because she was Alice with every molecule of her being.

Best Actor

Damn me for not seeing Foxcatcher yet! Even if I had though I think I would give this one to Eddie Redmayne.  I know that Michael Keaton will likely win this because of his riveting performance as Birdman but Redmayne made every detail of Hawking come to life.  Not only in Hawking's declining speech and movement but in his affection for Jane and the inspiration she gave him to keep on fighting. Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turring brought a long overdo hero to light with a thoughtful, detailed performance. Of all the performances I saw, Cooper's was my least favorite.  Not because it wasn't excellent but because the other elements of American Sniper surrounding Cooper weren't as strong. I know I'm likely wrong with my hopes for this one, but I'm sticking with my Redmayne guns.

A note on a HUGE snub.  Why on earth is David Oyelowo not nominated for portraying Martin Luther King? Not only did he take on what is a very risky role, playing someone so significant in our history but he did it with grace, no trace of imitation...completely unique. The Academy needs to step up to the 21st century and quite acting like a homogenized group of twits.

Best Director

I get a little pissed off when I look at the nominees in this category.  For the life of me I do not understand way Ava Duvernay was not nominated for Selma. As with the snub of David Oyelowo, I get pretty ticked off that they were ignored.  That being said, there is no other director than Richard Linklater that deserves this award.  Boyhood is such a simple idea, yet so unique.  No other director has taken on this type of challenge.  Developing a story over 12 years with the same actors, maintaining a consistent storyline and creating an environment where people are committed to telling a story year after year. Linklater is a visionary, someone who sees life's simplest moments as the most significant.  Alejandro G. Inarritu did a superb job with Birdman and in almost any other year I would say he deserved it but this year it belongs to Linklater.

Best Motion Picture

I have seen all of these, so I feel very strongly about my prediction.  BOYHOOD ALL THE WAY! No matter how creative or well-performed Birdman is, there will never be another film like Boyhood.  Any film from now on that is created over a long period of time  will just be an imitation of this perfectly crafted and executed masterpiece. The fact that this movie was even made is a miracle.  Nothing catastrophic happened to the actors or amazing director, Linklater or their motivation to finish the film.  For all the reasons I listed in the Best Director category and a zillion more, Boyhood fully deserves this one. Seeing Arquette, Hawke, Coltrane, and Linklater (Lorelei) all grow over the 12 years elicited emotions that are very hard to explain.  It made you nostalgic for your own childhood.  Made you reflect on the simple moments that made you the person you are now and appreciate them even more. I enjoyed all the Best Picture nominees thoroughly...the cheeky humor in Grand Budapest, the tension of Whiplash, the anguish of being a soldier in American Sniper, the continuous shots and eccentricity in Birdman, the heartbreak and hope in Selma, the impossibility and triumph in Imitation Game, and the love and strength in the Theory of Everything.  Those were all excellent but nothing will be the same after Boyhood.

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Go See Boyhood!

I haven't written in a very long time but Boyhood got me out of my slump.  I don't have words for how special this film is. Filmed over 12 years you see the stunning beauty and tragedy of everyday life through the growing up of one boy in Texas.  The acting on all four accounts is vibrant and touching...Ethan Hawke (Dad), Patricia Arquette (Mom), Lorelei Linklater (Sister, Samantha) and the spectacular Ellar Coltrane (the boy, Mason). 

Richard Linklater is my new favorite person. I loved the Before series but didn't relate to it as much as Boyhood.  Everyone can relate to this film, everyone has gone through the ups and downs of growing up. Even if your childhood isn't as complex as this one the themes are universal.  Linklater created an absolute masterpiece....there's no other word to describe it. There will be no other film this year (or any year to come for that matter) that is more creative or touching.  It provides you with a lens to view your own life and how it's made up of these rough and happy moments that form into your life, into you.

Go see it now! 10 out of 5

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For A Very Good Reason

Artist Ralph Steadman changed the world.  This was the goal he set out to achieve in his life and he certainly has as shown in the documentary "For No Good Reason."  The film delves into the life (mostly career) of Ralph Steadman, the British illustrator known for his partnership with the journalist Hunter S. Thompson on many projects, most famously Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Ralph is the main voice in the film but you get to hear from Jann Wenner (the founder of Rolling Stone), Richard E. Grant, Johnny Depp who plays the part of the interviewer, along with a few others.

Hearing about Ralph's adventures with Hunter at the start of his career in the U.S. were entertaining but left me wanting to know more about their relationship and work together.  The film jumps around in time and it's difficult to put some things into context.  Jann's insight into their relationship was helpful but he never stated his role in their lives making it tricky to know how well he knew them.  Depp's role in the film even though he's the interviewer is minor.  You see him looking at Steadman's art and making one word remarks. I think it would have been more intriguing to verbalize Depp's role in Steadman/Thompson's careers.  I read he was friends with Thompson and  know he played the starring role in the move adaptation of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas but none of this is stated in the film.

Despite these gaps and glitches you come away from the film with wonderful affection for Steadman.  The section where he talks about his school days and despising authoritarianism provides you insight into where his angry, rough art came from. His strong belief in world peace created powerful perspectives in his illustrations during the Vietnam War and Nixon administration.  Unlike many illustrators he put his soul and values within his works.  The title "cartoonist" has been used most often to describe him but he seems much more than that to me.  His works are full of dirty, open wounds that the public should/or needed to pay attention to.  They are also chock full of hilarity and love.

My favorite parts were when he created artwork in front of the camera, whether it was a painting or a distorted photograph.  The techniques he uses are fascinating.  The effect of splattered and blown paint, ink drawing, scraping away and building it back up again create such inventive pieces. The distorted photos were also works I had never seen before and were such amusing and intriguing images.

The editing of the film and the techniques in which it was filmed are unique and include things I've never seen before.  Showing old footage of Hunter and Ralph on a 1980s-looking TV screen sitting on a table with fake flowers.  Or showing different vintage phones each time a phone call is made during a story about Hunter and Ralph.  The animation done on Ralph's drawings was also wonderful and brought them and the story to life even more. It pulled out even more humor and validity from his works.  Even though there are pieces missing from the film and it definitely doesn't tell Ralph's whole story it is a gem of glimpse into how he did in fact change the world. 

3.5 out of 5 (the .5 is for Steadman's dog, Beanie)

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Dom Hemingway: All Over the Place

Just got back from seeing Dom Hemingway and my first thought is: I have never seen a more unattractive Jude Law.  This film by Richard Shepard could have been great but it was so all over the place it was hard to focus on anything except how unappealing Law looked and acted.

The story centers around Dom Hemingway, who is a middle aged guy who is just released from prison after 12 years for breaking into safes for a high-up gangster, Mr.Fontaine (played by Oscar nominated Demian Bichir).  During Dom's stay in prison his wife divorces him, marries another man (who Dom beats up first thing after he gets out of prison), and dies from cancer. Dom's daughter, Evelyn (played by the Mother of Dragons, Emilia Clarke) grows up during this time and starts a family of her own while her hatred for Dom only gets greater.  Luckily for Dom, his buddy Dickie Black (a superb Richard E. Grant) is the only one waiting for him when he gets out.

This all sounds like the beginning of a great story, except it can't seem to focus on anything except Dom making mistake after mistake.  The first scene of the movie is a close up of Dom standing naked in prison talking for a solid two minutes about how fantastic his cock his. The camera then pans out and shows a young boy standing up and walking away....great start. After getting out of prison he goes to France with Dickie to get the money owed to him by Mr.Fontaine and proceeds to insult him, walk nude through his property, apologize for his behavior, get his $750,000, go on a coke bender with a bunch of topless ladies, get in a car accident which kills Fontaine (who gets a fender straight through his stomach), saves the life of one of the topless women (Melody), has his money stolen by Fontaine's girlfriend and then magically reappears at Evelyn's door in London.  The storyline only gets more ridiculous from here: Dom breaking a safe open in 10 minutes so he doesn't get his cock cut off by the son of one of his previous clients; running into Melody on the streets in London (how she magically showed up from France I'm not sure) who tells him since he saved her life that he has good luck coming to him; going to the grave of his deceased wife where he actually shows a few shreds of decency when Evelyn and her son show up; and finally running into Fontaine's girlfriend (again,magically) and stealing a huge diamond ring from her so he gets his money back.  Far, far too many directions trying to being navigated at one time.

There were a few bright spots.  Richard E. Grant was fantastic! His facial expressions were the best!  Even if his character hadn't said a word he would have been the best part. And that missing hand of his came in handy in the comedic department ; ) The way the car accident scene was shot was pretty clever too. In slow motion you only see Dom and then the other passengers as the cars collide, not even seeing the other vehicle. The use of the color red was well done and purposeful...adding to the feel of the film.  Finally, seeing Jude Law completely dive into such an unattractive, self-centered, alcoholic, drug addicted character was pretty fulfilling.  I mean the guy had to shave his hairline, Law and Vincent Kartheiser (as Mad Men's Pete) deserve some kind of dedication for that kind of commitment to a role. Law's acting was wonderful, so I guess I have to blame my dislike for the movie on Dom himself....he was so selfish he couldn't even let Richard Shepard make a good film ; )

2 out of 5

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Comprehensively Coen

Well, I didn't mean to be absent for that long but got wrapped up in a Coen brothers kick.  I had seen several of their films but their were many I had never seen or even heard of.  Their films seem to be either a hit or miss with me so I was a little hesitant to dive in.  I absolutely love Inside Llewyn Davis, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, True Grit and Fargo but wanted to gain a more comprehensive look at their work.  Over the last couple weeks I have watched: Miller's Crossing, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo (again), The Big Lebowski (shockingly I had never seen it, a true travesty I know!), The Man Who Wasn't There, and The Ladykillers. 

I won't delve into each film but after watching all of them in order of creation I was stunned at the end to see more differences rather than similarities.  I guess generalizing you could say they were full of predominantly male characters, but often in their films they will have one extremely strong female character (e.g. Marva Munson in Ladykillers, Marge Gunderson in Fargo, Mattie Ross in True Grit and Amy Archer in Hudsucker). One big similarity is their use of the same actors (Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro) but I don't think they put themselves in a rut since they also add in new actors, who usually are placed as the main character.

To see their body of work and not find an overwhelming amount of similarities made me realize just how creative and imaginative Joel and Ethan are.  Even their films I wasn't very fond of (A Serious Man, The Man Who Wasn't There) told a new story in a new way.  The Big Lebowski is one of the funniest films I've seen, No Country For Old Men one of the most gruesome, Inside Llewyn Davis and O Brother, Where Art Thou? some of the most musical.  I'm unsure there is a genre they wouldn't do well with.  They even did a romantic comedy (Intolerable Cruelty)! I am glad I spent the time to look at their older work and gain a new appreciation for their work. I still have some gaps to fill in (Blood Simple, Crimewave, Barton Fink, The Naked Man, & Gambit) but after realizing what true artists the Coens are I will have no hesitation this time around.

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Stardom Should Be 0 Feet Away

I have wanted to see the documentary "20 Feet From Stardom" for many months now and finally saw it last night...and it was well worth the wait.  The Oscar win for it last week was a good reminder, as was Darlene Love singing her acceptance speech. The film tells the history and individual stories of some of the best known and accomplished backup singers. The focus was on singers from the 1960s and onward such as Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Judith Hill, Claudia Lennear, Lisa Fischer, Tata Vega and the Waters family.

The threading of old footage throughout the film added so much substance and context.  The editing was done perfectly and weaved all of these intriguing stories together.  One of the best examples of this is when Merry Clayton is remembering a phone call she got in the middle of the night and having to show up to the studio to work with the Rolling Stones, who Merry was not yet aware of.  They had her sing the infamous "Rape, Murder! It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away" part of Gimme Shelter.  They had the track playing in the background as Merry walked around the studio where they recorded it.  The look on Merry's face and hearing her sing that part just gives you goose bumps...the way it's put together is fantastic!  Mick Jagger comments throughout the film on Merry as well as Claudia who likely inspired "Brown Sugar."  Other famous musicians such as Sting, Bruce Springsteen, and Bette Midler provide commentary too.

The person who seems to have received the most attention from the film, Darlene Love (who was completely screwed over by Phil Spector) is such fun to watch.  It was astonishing to learn the HUGE accomplishments she has achieved in her life and how her voice is such a part of history.  I feel ashamed I didn't know who she was before I heard of this film since she sang on so many popular songs.  It didn't help that so many of her songs were released under other artist's names such as The Crystals.  She sang: "Today I Met the Boy I'm Going to Marry," "He's A Rebel," "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," and so many more...the titles might not be recognizable on their own but when you hear the songs they should be familiar.  What happened to Love seems like it should have been illegal. Spector using her for so many songs and her never receiving any credit.  I think she had her days of being very pissed off (probably while she was working as a maid after recording so many of those famous songs) but her outlook now is unbelieveably peaceful...which to me is amazing.

I just have to say how inspiring Lisa Fischer's voice is, it is so transformative and invokes so many different sounds and feelings. One thing I thought of throughout the film was why none of these people really made it out on their own.  Was it because they didn't want to?  They enjoyed being a part of a group or not having the pressure that comes with being a solo act? Or was it because of something else?  Because of things we have little control over such as timing and luck.  I don't know the answer but it makes me think why such talented, amazing voices aren't well known and people like Britney Spears (so auto-tuned) are.  Who knows why some people make it and others don't?

I thoroughly recommend watching this film, even if you could care less about backup singers...you will be inspired by the talent, guts, passion and humor these singers show in this area of music that is SO underappreciated.

5 out of 5!

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Oscar Picks

I have watched the Oscars for as long as I can remember, even as a kid I was allowed to stay up late to watch the spectacle.  I still haven’t figured out why I love them so much because often I’m disappointed with who isnominated as well as who wins but I figured I should probably put my two cents worth in for who I think should win tomorrow.  I have seen all of the movies nominated along with the films where the actors are nominated (August: Osage County & Blue Jasmine).  I try to do this every year since it makes watching the ceremony more enjoyable.  I know I will probably be wrong in a few of these categories because I simply vote for whom I think did the best, not who the Academy thinks did the best.  I have yet to figure out why they vote the way they do since it’s often not based on who gave the best performance or did the best work…there are very skewed reasons why certain people win.  Such as someone being nominated so many times they somehow deserve the Oscar after a certain number, not based on that particular performance.  I could write a whole dissertation on the Oscars but I’ll just focus on this year’s prominent categories…

Best Supporting Actor:

This category probably has the least amount of speculation surrounding the winner. Although I feel some obligation to vote for Barkhad Abdi from Captain Phillips since he’s from my state (not one known for Oscar nominees) I just cannot ignore Jared Leto’s performance in Dallas Buyers Club.  I think this is the popular opinion and would be extremely shocked if he didn’t win.  After not acting for roughly four years you would think he would be a little rusty but he somehow turned into Rayon.  You do not see one ounce of Leto in her.  He completely transformed in every imaginable way.  The only upset I could possibly understand would be Michael Fassbender winning for 12 Years A Slave.  Besides his wife (Mistress Epps played by Sarah Paulson) who is terrifying, he is the closest thing to pure evil in the film.  I really think it’s Leto’s night though and he absolutely deserves it.

Best Supporting Actress:

I have to start this one off saying I love Jennifer Lawrence; I think she is extremely talented and the way she deals with the public makes me want her for my best friend….but she does not deserve the Oscar for her role in American Hustle.  I did not even think she deserved it for Silver Linings, she did deserve it for the first movie she was nominated for, Winter’s Bone but because the Academy has bizarre voting patterns she didn’t.  This award belongs to Lupita Nyong’o.  Her performance as Patsy in 12 Years A Slave was so heartbreaking….you just cannot compare playing a continually raped, suicidal slave to playing the eccentric wife of a con artist.  Based on the past few years it seems Lawrence will have many more opportunities to be nominated and even though this is Lupita’s first film there is no finer portrayal in this category.  Lupita all the way!

Best Actor:

As much as I would love for Leonardo DiCaprio to get an Oscar (he should have received it for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape) his role in Wolf of Wall Street should not be the role to get it.  This is true also for Matthew McConaughey, who as Ron Woodroof  in Dallas Buyers Club was spectacular as was his performance in Mud which I feel was somewhat overlooked…but to me neither actor’s performance compares to Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup.  There were moments in 12 Years A Slave where I was completely taken over by his performance.  The scene where the slaves are singing a hymn over the grave of a fellow slave, the camera focuses on Solomon’s face and you see in his eyes so much pain and what I took as the realization that that could have been him in that grave. It was just breathtaking and no other performance this year gave me goose bumps like that.  I know it is being predicted that Matthew McConaughey will win, but I’m hoping I will be happily surprised.  I have no doubt that Ejiofor’s performance will be one that will stack up with the best in history.

Best Actress:

I think I am in the minority with my opinion or prediction on who should win this.  I keep hearing it belongs to Cate Blanchett, who did a fabulous job as the nutso divorcé in Blue Jasmine but there would be no Gravity without Sandra Bullock.  The entire film rested on her shoulders, being alone on screen for 90% of it is sure a lot of pressure.  Not to mention the odd and painful contraptions they had her in to create the stunning visual effects of space.  Also, the fact she had to pretend half the things on screen with her in the film were actually there….come on now!  Her delivery of the speech to George Clooney’s character, (Matt Kowalski) about passing a message on to her daughter when she decides life is worth fighting for is simple and absolute perfection.   I don’t think I will be right on this one…but wouldn’t it be fantastic if I was?

Best Director:

I think this one belongs to Alfonso Cuarón.  Gravity is such a unique, groundbreaking film.  Its visual effects and storyline are completely unlike anything else that’s been done before.  Steve McQueen is the only person I can see upsetting Cuarón’s chances.  He seems to put everything he has into his work and separates himself from other directors with his visual arts background.  However, I think the distinctiveness of Gravity may win this one.  I would actual be equally happy for both directors, both deserve it but since I think 12 Years A Slave will win Best Picture Cuarón will get this one as a kind of backup prize.

Best Picture:

As I’ve been hearing over and over again this category seems to be a race between American Hustle, Gravity and 12 Years A Slave.  As I mentioned above I think this category belongs to 12 Years A Slave, that’s why I believe Steve McQueen won’t win for director (Weird yes, but that’s the Academy). If American Hustle wins I will be somewhat pissed…yes, it was a good movie but it did not delve into a fundamental part of U.S. history that for decades has been pushed aside because it’s too difficult to deal with.  This could also be the reason 12 Years A Slave doesn’t win, because members of the Academy find it too hard to watch such a painful, heartbreaking story.  To that I say, we do not live in reality when we pretend awful, horrible things never happened and act like the stories of the people who lived them should not be told because it might be uncomfortable for people to watch.  Give me a break!  12 Years A Slave is already a classic film to me because its story and characters are so necessary to understanding history and learning from the horrendous mistakes that were made.  If Gravity wins, fine but I don’t think it will have the lasting power that 12 Years will.

Live Documentary Shorts:

Since I saw all the nominees this year I thought I’d give my opinion on this category as well.  I think Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life should be seen by everyone.  The way Holocaust survivor, Alice Herz views life is just the most spectacular thing to hear and see.  You watch this woman who lived through so much display no sign of hate or regret…it’s certainly something to strive for.  Especially with Alice’s passing last week at the age of 110 this documentary deserves an Oscar for sharing such an amazing story is such a kind and thoughtful manner.

Snubs:

There were several this year and thought I would just mention a few I thought deserved nominations.  First of all I do not understand how Inside Llewyn Davis did not get nominated for anything besides Sound Mixing and Cinematography.  It was a wonderful film with a unique story to tell in a dark, humorous way that only the Coen brothers could do.

Robert Redford for All Is Lost…a guy trying to survive alone in the ocean in a raft after his ship went down…doesn’t that have  an Oscar written all over it? Shame, shame, shame.

Sam Rockwell in The Way, Way Back.   This was one of my favorite movies of the year and Rockwell’s performance as an immature hero was just pure joy to watch.

There are probably a dozen more but I’ll leave it at that.

Alright Oscars, don’t disappoint me…or do, I’m used to it by now ; )

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Ain't Them Bodies Saints

I had forgotten I had really wanted to see this movie when I originally saw the trailer for it and was delighted when I rediscovered it on Redbox (which in theory I'm really against, but what are you going to do when you've run out of Netflix options and there are absolutely no movie rental stores anymore?).  Anyway, back to the point...Ain't Them Bodies Saints starring Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, and Ben Foster was very beautifully done. The story is "the tale of an outlaw (Casey Affleck) who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife (Rooney Mara) and the daughter he has never met" (IMDb). 

I was drawn in by the complexity of its characters, who you never really fully understand because of the mysteriousness that seems to cover most of them.  Even the time period is a mystery...I assume it was in the 1940s/1950s because of the clothing and lack of technology but I'm still not sure. Ben Foster's character, Patrick Wheeler is the only one who seems somewhat revealed.  Patrick is a local officer who in the beginning of the film is shot in the shoulder by a pregnant Ruth (Mara) during a shootout.  Since no officer saw who the shooter was, Bob (Affleck) takes the blame and goes to prison. While Bob is in prison (around 4 years) Patrick takes an interest in Ruth and her daughter.  His affection for the two of them is a very beautiful aspect of the film, and one that is pure and without any expectation of reciprocation. 

The character of Skerritt played by Keith Carradine, is somewhat of a guardian of Bob, Ruth, and later their daughter.  However, he seems to be the one who taught them at an early age how to do the crimes that cause all their trouble.  You never fully understand the picture of their past but that's not necessary to understand their feelings towards one another.

As I was watching the film I was stunned by the beauty of many of the scenes.  The scene of Bob and Ruth being arrested outside his father's old farm house and being dragged through a field to the police car (pictured above).  Bob and Ruth held hands and stayed as close to each other as possible.  The physicality in those few seconds showed the love that words just wouldn't have done justice to.  Or the way Ruth stares at Patrick while he shows her daughter how to play the guitar; seeing on her face how she wishes that it were Bob but somehow feeling affection for a man she knows she shouldn't.  Or the last shot of the movie that goes back in time to where you hear Bob's plans for their future and see in their current situation the reality that those future plans will never come to be.

I could go on and on...but the main point is this film should be seen.  Whether the mysteriousness is formed by holes in the screenplay or on purpose it doesn't matter...you will understand their feelings through the character's beautiful portrayals.

I give it 3.5 out of 5.

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LEGO MOVIE. Interlocking plastic bricks aren't just for kids.

I am obsessed with movies.  I could probably annoy you to death with my love of them…this blog may in fact do that.  Being a movie critic is one of my dream jobs but since I don’t have the educational background for that I am doing this. 

To kick off what I hope to be a long and hopefully enjoyable (for you and me) venture I’m critiquing the Lego Movie.  I absolutely had my doubts after seeing the trailer, but I was motivated by my niece and nephew’s urge to see it as well as its 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating.  In the end, I enjoyed it more than they did!  The premise of the story is that “an ordinary LEGO minifigure (Emmet), mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant (President Business) from gluing the universe together” (IMDb).

The story is told in such a colorful and humorous way; in both content and looks it is astounding.  The computer animation is fantastic!  The details of every frame are gorgeous; from the rolling waves of the ocean to Emmet’s constant facial changes. Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt), the hero of the film was overwhelming lovable and goofy, not to mention clueless which ends up saving everyone in the end. His ideas, first seen as idiotic and later as brilliant (including the double-decker couches) are delightful.

The number of well-known voices is insane!  Some of my favorites were Morgan Freeman (as always) as the wise, dead-pan Vitruvius; Elizabeth Banks as the strong, yet naive Wyldstyle aka Lucy; the hilarious Batman voiced by a great Christian-Bale-imitating Will Arnett; and of course the villain, President Business voiced by a very snarky Will Ferrell. 

The real-life human scenes near the end make the film all the more relatable for kids (and adults).  I won’t go into detail about those scenes so you can experience the lesson of the story firsthand.  Even if you’re not a big fan of animated movies (which I’m not) you need to see this. The theater was full of kid’s oohs and ahhs alongside adult laughter, Lego Movie definitely has something for everybody.

I give it 4.5 out of 5.