Low expectations sometimes can be a very good thing when you go to the movies.
Mine were low for this one, I am Number Four new this week. It's in a long line of fantasy pieces that have been en vogue the past decade or so. Young people gifted with non-human like powers. There are no vampires or wolves here, this time it's alien beings. But the formula is exactly, and I mean exactly the same as Twilight.
Very handsome young high school boy with alien superpowers, meets independent beautiful, loner high school girl. He of course is a rebel, and constantly bemoans his elders who are trying to protect him from being killed by rival members of their old planet. Our hero John, is number four in a list of nine that is trying to stay alive and continue their plight and protect earth from harm. The chosen aliens one through nine are being killed in order. The first three are dead. He is next.
I know this all sounds a bit silly. But actually as a movie, this one has to be judged on what it is and who it's for. This is basically for teens and tweens and very young adults who have grown up with this style of film making. This is right up their ally, with the wild special effects, and the over the top story line. And the formula that young love is very nice and very special and triumphs all. It's the exact formula again as Twilight. But IANF has something else really going for it. It's NOT Twilight. It's a new road for movie goers to travel down and go in the same, but different direction at the same time.
This movie will strike a blow right in the heart of its target fans and be a big hit. I have to admit, it was for the most part fun, and interesting to follow. IANF does come out of the gate slowly, and does pick up to a better pace as the movie goes on. A huge battle finish that is entertaining, but in fairness, a little too fast paced, herky-jerky and hard to follow visually at times. And I will tell you, this will come as no surprise, there are obviously more of these to come as the story is not wrapped up nice and tidy. The long term shame is that this could wear out it's welcome in years ahead and become Twilight-y.
I Am Number Four. It's certainly is not everyone's cup of tea. But if you know those that are into this whole fantasy, space alien thing, this is right on the money. You can see this is regular, Real 3-D and IMAX as well. For the most part visually great, and overall good fun.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A Different Kind Of Sunday
Cold weather and a Northeast Ohio winter means sadly for me, no golf.
I love my Sunday morning Dewsweeper rounds of golf with my lifelong friends Don, Tex and Joe. We tee it up early every Sunday at a different course in the area, and have the time of our lives. Golf, friendship, a cigar or two, a hot dog at the turn and standing on the first tee at 6am with the dew and the fog and the dawn. It's great and not to be traded.
In the winter time, I find though that Sunday mornings are still dear to me. Just in a different way. Maybe it's the same for you, a certain time of a certain day that is a little different than the rest. I have learned over time for me, it is Sunday morning. Five days a week I gladly get up at roughly 230 AM to do the morning show with Sue Wilson on WQMX. And many times on Saturday, our schedule is full with terrific station appearances and remotes. So what seems to be different, is that Sunday is reserved for me to have no particular place of consequence to go.
I still get up early, and in the cold I go for a walk and get some exercise in. Then it's the coffee and my dog Kona and the quiet before the dawn. I usually sit and do some writing for this website and a couple of others this company owns. And I find that I still love Sunday mornings even if it doesn't involve swinging a Taylor Made driver, striking a Pro V 1, or a Nat Sherman cigar ignited by a Calibri lighter. There's just a certain goodness to a Sunday morning. Knowing that it is a day of rest. I love the golf, and that great dinner that comes dear on a grill at an earlier time than most dinners do.
But cold weather Sunday morning is a good day too. And the best thing about it maybe is not just the quiet and the coffee, but the reward for a week well done. Also it fires the anticipation that Monday morning will be here shortly after rest, and so will the show and the wonderful moments me, Sue and our show partners will share over the next five days. That will eventually lead to another Sunday dawn for me.
Maybe the lesson is this. It's always good to get up and be with the exact people you want to be with every single day, doing exactly what you want to be doing. That makes even cold weather days, special days.
And the stage is set for me, by a different kind of Sunday.
I love my Sunday morning Dewsweeper rounds of golf with my lifelong friends Don, Tex and Joe. We tee it up early every Sunday at a different course in the area, and have the time of our lives. Golf, friendship, a cigar or two, a hot dog at the turn and standing on the first tee at 6am with the dew and the fog and the dawn. It's great and not to be traded.
In the winter time, I find though that Sunday mornings are still dear to me. Just in a different way. Maybe it's the same for you, a certain time of a certain day that is a little different than the rest. I have learned over time for me, it is Sunday morning. Five days a week I gladly get up at roughly 230 AM to do the morning show with Sue Wilson on WQMX. And many times on Saturday, our schedule is full with terrific station appearances and remotes. So what seems to be different, is that Sunday is reserved for me to have no particular place of consequence to go.
I still get up early, and in the cold I go for a walk and get some exercise in. Then it's the coffee and my dog Kona and the quiet before the dawn. I usually sit and do some writing for this website and a couple of others this company owns. And I find that I still love Sunday mornings even if it doesn't involve swinging a Taylor Made driver, striking a Pro V 1, or a Nat Sherman cigar ignited by a Calibri lighter. There's just a certain goodness to a Sunday morning. Knowing that it is a day of rest. I love the golf, and that great dinner that comes dear on a grill at an earlier time than most dinners do.
But cold weather Sunday morning is a good day too. And the best thing about it maybe is not just the quiet and the coffee, but the reward for a week well done. Also it fires the anticipation that Monday morning will be here shortly after rest, and so will the show and the wonderful moments me, Sue and our show partners will share over the next five days. That will eventually lead to another Sunday dawn for me.
Maybe the lesson is this. It's always good to get up and be with the exact people you want to be with every single day, doing exactly what you want to be doing. That makes even cold weather days, special days.
And the stage is set for me, by a different kind of Sunday.
Oscar Fit For A King
Last night the Oscars were handed out in Hollywood and the nights top honor goes to The King's Speech for best picture!
And it should have. The King's Speech is a great movie that will stand the test of time and in years ahead, and will still look great as a wonderful movie. TKS starring Colin Firth, and Geoffery Rush is about as good as any Oscar winner in recent memory. A simply splendid movie, done well, with a story that is literally true and that few of us knew. I am a story guy at the movies and this is a great story.
Firth plays King George VI in England just prior to World War II. He has a terrible stuttering problem and is unable to address his nation with any confidence on radio during the darkest moment in the nations history. With every person in the country looking to Buckingham palace for guidance, it is essential he be able to rally his nation through speeches on the wireless . He enlists the help of an eccentric "teacher" (Rush) to help him defeat this demon. It is a compelling, uplifting, at times funny, wonderful story told brilliantly. So good to see that real film making is still in vogue in Hollywood.
I always think that incredible pressure is on the Academy to get this award right every year. I'm not confident that many Academy members actually know that fact. You don't want trendy movies that will look silly in a decade to win. You want to look back and know you've chosen wisely ten years from now when TKS is on TNT, and know that it's still a great movie. Same with last years The Hurt Locker winning. I was relieved to know that Avatar, although visually stunning, lost to real movie of substance.
They got that right, and they got this years right as well. It is a good to know that a movie about Facebook, The Social Network has to watch the rest of us "friend up" The King's Speech. The Social Network, although good, will not hold up over the test of time in any way. And to be honest, the story is just not that interesting.
All hail The King's Speech. In a year of no real front-runner, good to see this separate with True Grit as the years best movie. And be honored as such.
And it should have. The King's Speech is a great movie that will stand the test of time and in years ahead, and will still look great as a wonderful movie. TKS starring Colin Firth, and Geoffery Rush is about as good as any Oscar winner in recent memory. A simply splendid movie, done well, with a story that is literally true and that few of us knew. I am a story guy at the movies and this is a great story.
Firth plays King George VI in England just prior to World War II. He has a terrible stuttering problem and is unable to address his nation with any confidence on radio during the darkest moment in the nations history. With every person in the country looking to Buckingham palace for guidance, it is essential he be able to rally his nation through speeches on the wireless . He enlists the help of an eccentric "teacher" (Rush) to help him defeat this demon. It is a compelling, uplifting, at times funny, wonderful story told brilliantly. So good to see that real film making is still in vogue in Hollywood.
I always think that incredible pressure is on the Academy to get this award right every year. I'm not confident that many Academy members actually know that fact. You don't want trendy movies that will look silly in a decade to win. You want to look back and know you've chosen wisely ten years from now when TKS is on TNT, and know that it's still a great movie. Same with last years The Hurt Locker winning. I was relieved to know that Avatar, although visually stunning, lost to real movie of substance.
They got that right, and they got this years right as well. It is a good to know that a movie about Facebook, The Social Network has to watch the rest of us "friend up" The King's Speech. The Social Network, although good, will not hold up over the test of time in any way. And to be honest, the story is just not that interesting.
All hail The King's Speech. In a year of no real front-runner, good to see this separate with True Grit as the years best movie. And be honored as such.
Oscar Highlights - Hailing Hailee
Not often a 13 year-old little girl approaches the summit of her chosen field, but it did happen. Last night Hailee Steinfeld was nominated and turned away from the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mattie Ross in the Coen Brother's, True Grit.
In a night where the Oscars were vilified for many shameful and embarrassing moments, none was more glaring than eventual winner Melissa Leo from The Fighter when she took the honor instead. Leo went on stage and embarrassed herself, the Academy and her profession with a rant that was about as unprepared and amateurish as possible. I had to be reminded which of these two was actually 13 years old.
Hailee Steinfeld's performance in True Grit I feel is the best performance by a child actor in movie history. When she was cast at 12 for this role it was her first movie ever. And then it was filmed when she was 13, a year younger than the actual character in the story, she was a complete unknown. She starred opposite two recent Oscar winners, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, and a recent Oscar nominee, Josh Brolin. And the amazing thing is, she absolutely looked like she belonged there. Extraordinary in this story of redemption of Mattie's fathers murder in 1870's Arkansas.
This 13 year- old kid, starred in this work of 2oth century literature by Charles Portis, with two recent Oscar winners , and other major scenes with actors 50 years her senior. With Executive Producer Steven Speilberg looking on, and the Coen Brothers screenplay and direction you've got to marvel at this kids savvy. The role of Mattie in True Grit is the whole thing. The story is all told through her eyes, as she is in virtually every scene. Yes, we all remember Rooster Cogburn as the main character, we must remember Mattie is the focus of the story. Steinfeld skillfully weaves Mattie between being the older soul, Bible-quoting know-it-all miniature bookkeeper from her family ranch, with being a little girl finding herself in the very middle of things little girls generally do not.
This is the single best performance in any movie by any one actor this year. Steinfeld's grasp of the Shakespearean like dialogue from Portis and the adaptation from the Coens is amazing. Spoken and delivered with such confidence and second nature. Plus, the physical demands of hours of horse riding, swimming raging rivers on horseback, climbing trees, being shoved around, knocked down, learning to shoot, and having snakes climb on you? You may take it all for granted when you see True Grit, but upon further review she is nothing short of amazing.
This was real acting in a real movie with real actors and a real story. Plus, real pressure turned on high when this project was announced in 2008. To remake a Hollywood classic and make it great. This was not some fluff Nicolas Sparks movie, Disney Family Channel piece, or some trendy music video to be seen on various video channels. True Grit does not work if Mattie isn't great. She is the main reason this version although different, is far superior to the 1969 original.
I have no idea where little Hailee Steinfeld is going now in her career. But I'm hoping on to big things. But for this moment in time and this performance was stellar work. If she would not have won, they should fold up the awards and forget it for next year. This is the role of a lifetime.
In the morning after the Academy is licking many of its wounds from the night before in the press, this was the biggest shame.
In a night where the Oscars were vilified for many shameful and embarrassing moments, none was more glaring than eventual winner Melissa Leo from The Fighter when she took the honor instead. Leo went on stage and embarrassed herself, the Academy and her profession with a rant that was about as unprepared and amateurish as possible. I had to be reminded which of these two was actually 13 years old.
Hailee Steinfeld's performance in True Grit I feel is the best performance by a child actor in movie history. When she was cast at 12 for this role it was her first movie ever. And then it was filmed when she was 13, a year younger than the actual character in the story, she was a complete unknown. She starred opposite two recent Oscar winners, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, and a recent Oscar nominee, Josh Brolin. And the amazing thing is, she absolutely looked like she belonged there. Extraordinary in this story of redemption of Mattie's fathers murder in 1870's Arkansas.
This 13 year- old kid, starred in this work of 2oth century literature by Charles Portis, with two recent Oscar winners , and other major scenes with actors 50 years her senior. With Executive Producer Steven Speilberg looking on, and the Coen Brothers screenplay and direction you've got to marvel at this kids savvy. The role of Mattie in True Grit is the whole thing. The story is all told through her eyes, as she is in virtually every scene. Yes, we all remember Rooster Cogburn as the main character, we must remember Mattie is the focus of the story. Steinfeld skillfully weaves Mattie between being the older soul, Bible-quoting know-it-all miniature bookkeeper from her family ranch, with being a little girl finding herself in the very middle of things little girls generally do not.
This is the single best performance in any movie by any one actor this year. Steinfeld's grasp of the Shakespearean like dialogue from Portis and the adaptation from the Coens is amazing. Spoken and delivered with such confidence and second nature. Plus, the physical demands of hours of horse riding, swimming raging rivers on horseback, climbing trees, being shoved around, knocked down, learning to shoot, and having snakes climb on you? You may take it all for granted when you see True Grit, but upon further review she is nothing short of amazing.
This was real acting in a real movie with real actors and a real story. Plus, real pressure turned on high when this project was announced in 2008. To remake a Hollywood classic and make it great. This was not some fluff Nicolas Sparks movie, Disney Family Channel piece, or some trendy music video to be seen on various video channels. True Grit does not work if Mattie isn't great. She is the main reason this version although different, is far superior to the 1969 original.
I have no idea where little Hailee Steinfeld is going now in her career. But I'm hoping on to big things. But for this moment in time and this performance was stellar work. If she would not have won, they should fold up the awards and forget it for next year. This is the role of a lifetime.
In the morning after the Academy is licking many of its wounds from the night before in the press, this was the biggest shame.
MOVIE REVIEW - Unknown
You may remember a year or two ago Liam Neeson made a little movie, Taken that turned out to be a big hit.
This time at about the same time of year, it seems Neeson's new Unknown could be that mid winter hit that no one saw coming. Some of the advance on this was, it was Taken all over again. That is not the truth. Unknown is a good exciting movie with a plot line that is way smarter than the average February release.
Neeson stars as Dr. Martin Harris, who is attending a huge medical conference in Berlin, Germany with his beautiful young wife Liz, (January Jones). They become separated and the good Dr. is then in a horrible taxi cab accident, where he ends up in a four day coma. When he wakes up, no one in his life remembers him and he is seriously questioning who he really is. Even his wife claims she doesn't know him, and claims to be married to another man also named Dr. Martin Harris.
He then wanders the streets of Berlin trying to recreate the accident day, and tracks down the woman taxi driver named Gina that saved his life for her help (Diane Kruger). Together they try to piece together the day, and go to considerable risk to solve this dilemma. Because shortly after meeting her, someone is now trying to kill them and no one really knows why. Who is he, and who are all these people out to get them.? They even enlist the help of an aging Stasi agent, from the old East German Secret Police, Jurgen (Bruno Ganz) to help.
To be fair, this tale in the end is a bit far fetched, but the basic plot line is compelling. Sometimes that is why we go to the movies. To be taken away to some place and witness some thing that maybe is a bit out of reach because we can. This movie doesn't go over the top and become a parody of itself. It twists and turns and keeps you guessing most of the time. Unknown doesn't get carried away either with meaningless side plots and too many characters to keep track of. Often a problem in these kind of movies.
Plus, it has a car chase scene or two that are exceedingly well done and really fun to watch. I was very taken with the nice performance of Kruger as Gina, the down on her luck cab driver. And Ganz in his small role as the Stasi agent. Both a really nice compliment to Neeson's usual solid performance.
Unknown is not going to change one thing about movie making or make any kind of cinematic history. But it is a solid mid winter movie that isn't a cartoon, or some B- action flick. It's pretty smart and thought provoking. Over all well done.
This time at about the same time of year, it seems Neeson's new Unknown could be that mid winter hit that no one saw coming. Some of the advance on this was, it was Taken all over again. That is not the truth. Unknown is a good exciting movie with a plot line that is way smarter than the average February release.
Neeson stars as Dr. Martin Harris, who is attending a huge medical conference in Berlin, Germany with his beautiful young wife Liz, (January Jones). They become separated and the good Dr. is then in a horrible taxi cab accident, where he ends up in a four day coma. When he wakes up, no one in his life remembers him and he is seriously questioning who he really is. Even his wife claims she doesn't know him, and claims to be married to another man also named Dr. Martin Harris.
He then wanders the streets of Berlin trying to recreate the accident day, and tracks down the woman taxi driver named Gina that saved his life for her help (Diane Kruger). Together they try to piece together the day, and go to considerable risk to solve this dilemma. Because shortly after meeting her, someone is now trying to kill them and no one really knows why. Who is he, and who are all these people out to get them.? They even enlist the help of an aging Stasi agent, from the old East German Secret Police, Jurgen (Bruno Ganz) to help.
To be fair, this tale in the end is a bit far fetched, but the basic plot line is compelling. Sometimes that is why we go to the movies. To be taken away to some place and witness some thing that maybe is a bit out of reach because we can. This movie doesn't go over the top and become a parody of itself. It twists and turns and keeps you guessing most of the time. Unknown doesn't get carried away either with meaningless side plots and too many characters to keep track of. Often a problem in these kind of movies.
Plus, it has a car chase scene or two that are exceedingly well done and really fun to watch. I was very taken with the nice performance of Kruger as Gina, the down on her luck cab driver. And Ganz in his small role as the Stasi agent. Both a really nice compliment to Neeson's usual solid performance.
Unknown is not going to change one thing about movie making or make any kind of cinematic history. But it is a solid mid winter movie that isn't a cartoon, or some B- action flick. It's pretty smart and thought provoking. Over all well done.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Countdown To Oscars - Preview
Every year I post this page of picks, and predictions for the Academy awards.
With time running down to the 83rd annual awards February 27, time for the winners to be crowned. Every year I see and review roughly 130 movies for Akronnewsnow.com, and this is among my favorite articles to write. Here I will give you three picks in the five major categories. The three picks will be this. First, my pick as the best in each. Then who I think the Academy will pick. And then the Dark Horse. The one that could sneak up and take the prize as a big surprise. Last year my dark horse for Best Picture did win, The Hurt Locker.
So let's go!
Best Picture
My Pick - True Grit. The Coen Brothers adapted this fantastic story, and made it their own. This movie is compelling, emotional and made into an original. Performances are excellent, as is the entire package. Hard to leave untouched. Terrific.
The Academy Will Pick - The King's Speech. And you understand why. This movie is uplifting, and a story you don't know. Wonderful performances and a movie that you cheer for, cry with and fall in love with. This years big winner!
Dark Horse - Toy Story 3. The Academy has been flirting with having an animated film win for a few years now. Toy Story 3 is very powerful and is on everyone's 10 best list. With no clear front runner, this could be the year.
Best Actor
My Pick - Jeff Bridges, True Grit. He right now is simply Hollywood's best leading man. After his Oscar last year for Crazy Heart, this performance in True Grit is just as good. He made the role of Rooster Cogburn his own, and emerged from John Wayne's shadow big time. Wonderful performance.
The Academy Will Pick - Colin Firth, The King's Speech. Wonderful, great, a role of a lifetime generally gets you the Oscar. The suttering King George The VI, what a challenge and what a performace. This is his moment. Firth will from here on in, be remembered for this role and it's well deserved.
Dark Horse - James Franco, 127 Hours. Depends what kind of mood the Academy is in. Franco is a great young actor, in a huge role in this little movie. Is the Academy feeling young this year? Possible. He is also the host of the award show itself, would be a nice moment. He is great in this role, but to me better movies and times are ahead. But this, for many reasons would not stun me.
Best Actress
My Pick - Natalie Portman, Black Swan. This is the runaway performance of the year in this category I feel. Great ballet dancing, a big leading role, and she's very believable. What hurts her here though is Black Swan is an off the beaten path kind of movie for this academy. But feeling young? Could help. But she's simply great.
The Academy Will Pick - Annette Benning, The Kids Are Alright. She's just too much to pass up I feel. The Academy loves her and they love this movie far more than the general public did. A Benning win would really be a shame for Portman, but I fear it's almost unavoidable. This is not the performance Portman turned in. This will be the snub of the night.
Dark Horse - Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine. This little, powerful movie is all hers. Sometimes a single scene can win you an Oscar, and in this movie she has two of them. This would absolutely not be a shocker.
Best Supporting Actor
My Pick - Geoffery Rush, The King's Speech. He is fabulous in this movie, and as good as it is this movie does not work without him in it. About as perfectly cast as one could be. Just endearing, engaging, original and great.
The Academy Will Pick - Geoffery Rush, The King's Speech. This is I feel is a done deal.
Dark Horse - Christian Bale, The Fighter. For me he was a bit over the top at times here, but this movie is huge, and he is very good in it. This movie will not get shut out all night, this could be a place to win.
Best supporting Actress
My Pick - Haille Steinfeld, True Grit. This should be the slam dunk of the night. This is not a supporting role, it's a leading role. And this is the best child performance I feel in movie history. This is a huge role with tough dialogue, and physically demanding. Stellar in every single way. At 13, starring in a movie with 2 recent Oscar winners, and looking like you belong there, in your first movie? This performance in these circumstances should be honored.
The Academy Will Pick - Haille Steinfeld, True Grit. She's just the best. Period. Role and performance of a lifetime.
Dark Horse - Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech. Sometimes movies get on a role and keep rolling. Taking nothing away, she's darn good, but the role itself pales to Steinfeld in every way. Way smaller and far, far less challenging.
There you have it. Picks for the 2011 Oscars. They will be handed out Sunday February 27th. E-mail me with your thoughts scott@wqmx.com .
With time running down to the 83rd annual awards February 27, time for the winners to be crowned. Every year I see and review roughly 130 movies for Akronnewsnow.com, and this is among my favorite articles to write. Here I will give you three picks in the five major categories. The three picks will be this. First, my pick as the best in each. Then who I think the Academy will pick. And then the Dark Horse. The one that could sneak up and take the prize as a big surprise. Last year my dark horse for Best Picture did win, The Hurt Locker.
So let's go!
Best Picture
My Pick - True Grit. The Coen Brothers adapted this fantastic story, and made it their own. This movie is compelling, emotional and made into an original. Performances are excellent, as is the entire package. Hard to leave untouched. Terrific.
The Academy Will Pick - The King's Speech. And you understand why. This movie is uplifting, and a story you don't know. Wonderful performances and a movie that you cheer for, cry with and fall in love with. This years big winner!
Dark Horse - Toy Story 3. The Academy has been flirting with having an animated film win for a few years now. Toy Story 3 is very powerful and is on everyone's 10 best list. With no clear front runner, this could be the year.
Best Actor
My Pick - Jeff Bridges, True Grit. He right now is simply Hollywood's best leading man. After his Oscar last year for Crazy Heart, this performance in True Grit is just as good. He made the role of Rooster Cogburn his own, and emerged from John Wayne's shadow big time. Wonderful performance.
The Academy Will Pick - Colin Firth, The King's Speech. Wonderful, great, a role of a lifetime generally gets you the Oscar. The suttering King George The VI, what a challenge and what a performace. This is his moment. Firth will from here on in, be remembered for this role and it's well deserved.
Dark Horse - James Franco, 127 Hours. Depends what kind of mood the Academy is in. Franco is a great young actor, in a huge role in this little movie. Is the Academy feeling young this year? Possible. He is also the host of the award show itself, would be a nice moment. He is great in this role, but to me better movies and times are ahead. But this, for many reasons would not stun me.
Best Actress
My Pick - Natalie Portman, Black Swan. This is the runaway performance of the year in this category I feel. Great ballet dancing, a big leading role, and she's very believable. What hurts her here though is Black Swan is an off the beaten path kind of movie for this academy. But feeling young? Could help. But she's simply great.
The Academy Will Pick - Annette Benning, The Kids Are Alright. She's just too much to pass up I feel. The Academy loves her and they love this movie far more than the general public did. A Benning win would really be a shame for Portman, but I fear it's almost unavoidable. This is not the performance Portman turned in. This will be the snub of the night.
Dark Horse - Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine. This little, powerful movie is all hers. Sometimes a single scene can win you an Oscar, and in this movie she has two of them. This would absolutely not be a shocker.
Best Supporting Actor
My Pick - Geoffery Rush, The King's Speech. He is fabulous in this movie, and as good as it is this movie does not work without him in it. About as perfectly cast as one could be. Just endearing, engaging, original and great.
The Academy Will Pick - Geoffery Rush, The King's Speech. This is I feel is a done deal.
Dark Horse - Christian Bale, The Fighter. For me he was a bit over the top at times here, but this movie is huge, and he is very good in it. This movie will not get shut out all night, this could be a place to win.
Best supporting Actress
My Pick - Haille Steinfeld, True Grit. This should be the slam dunk of the night. This is not a supporting role, it's a leading role. And this is the best child performance I feel in movie history. This is a huge role with tough dialogue, and physically demanding. Stellar in every single way. At 13, starring in a movie with 2 recent Oscar winners, and looking like you belong there, in your first movie? This performance in these circumstances should be honored.
The Academy Will Pick - Haille Steinfeld, True Grit. She's just the best. Period. Role and performance of a lifetime.
Dark Horse - Helena Bonham Carter, The King's Speech. Sometimes movies get on a role and keep rolling. Taking nothing away, she's darn good, but the role itself pales to Steinfeld in every way. Way smaller and far, far less challenging.
There you have it. Picks for the 2011 Oscars. They will be handed out Sunday February 27th. E-mail me with your thoughts scott@wqmx.com .
Friday, February 11, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - Just Go With It
Adam Sandler is back with yet another attempt at some kind of comedy with this week, Just Go With It.
Sandler of course, has been making this exact same movie now for about 20 years. A form of romantic comedy that has flashes of good, and actually some comic genius from time to time. Some genuinely funny moments, that all get washed away by far many more moments of 6th grade boys sleepover humor, or lack there of.
Sandler plays a single plastic surgeon in California who's whole lot in life is to date and sleep with women that he tells, he is married. Supposedly this is the key to getting hot, young women interested in you at mid-life. He meets a 23 year old hottie named Palmer (Brooklyn Decker). She doesn't buy into this whole story and demands to meet his fake soon to be ex-wife. The good Dr. enlists the help of his trusty assistant (Jennifer Aniston) and her two kids for the illusion. Somehow they all end up on an Hawaiian vacation together, and the whole pack of lies blows up and everyone lives happily eve after.
It all depends on why you go to the movies, as to whether you will like this or not. If you want mindless, (and I do mean mindless) humor, than this is your deal. If you think that the best and most funny humor is based in truth, steer clear. No character in this movie is anywhere near real or believable. No group of people is this stupid, clueless and this irresponsible. This movie is really borderline insulting at times, and boring the other times. But the whole making fun of plastic surgery line of humor is pretty funny, and rather creative. Too bad this dumb romantic story line has to play out too. It's the same Saturday Night Live ex-cast curse. Moments of real funny stuff, just like on the late night show itself. Not a 90 minute movie.
This flick has a big cast too. Sandler, Aniston, Decker, Nicole Kidman, and rocker Dave Mathews. This movie will find a big audience and bring in a ton of cash in the long run. Sandler does have a formula, and does have a following. It's no wonder he can find talented actors to tag along. The work I'm sure is easy, and the pay is huge. For the record, Sandler is who he is, yet again. Aniston looks great and has moments, but Kidman doing comedy in a very small role is pretty funny. Even though the writing is not very good, she does a lot with a little.
Just Go With It. We have all been down this same path before with Sandler and this bunch, and there is nothing new. There's a laugh or two, a giggle or two, but for the most part no reason to shell out 10 large per person to see this. Netflix in 90 days.
Sandler of course, has been making this exact same movie now for about 20 years. A form of romantic comedy that has flashes of good, and actually some comic genius from time to time. Some genuinely funny moments, that all get washed away by far many more moments of 6th grade boys sleepover humor, or lack there of.
Sandler plays a single plastic surgeon in California who's whole lot in life is to date and sleep with women that he tells, he is married. Supposedly this is the key to getting hot, young women interested in you at mid-life. He meets a 23 year old hottie named Palmer (Brooklyn Decker). She doesn't buy into this whole story and demands to meet his fake soon to be ex-wife. The good Dr. enlists the help of his trusty assistant (Jennifer Aniston) and her two kids for the illusion. Somehow they all end up on an Hawaiian vacation together, and the whole pack of lies blows up and everyone lives happily eve after.
It all depends on why you go to the movies, as to whether you will like this or not. If you want mindless, (and I do mean mindless) humor, than this is your deal. If you think that the best and most funny humor is based in truth, steer clear. No character in this movie is anywhere near real or believable. No group of people is this stupid, clueless and this irresponsible. This movie is really borderline insulting at times, and boring the other times. But the whole making fun of plastic surgery line of humor is pretty funny, and rather creative. Too bad this dumb romantic story line has to play out too. It's the same Saturday Night Live ex-cast curse. Moments of real funny stuff, just like on the late night show itself. Not a 90 minute movie.
This flick has a big cast too. Sandler, Aniston, Decker, Nicole Kidman, and rocker Dave Mathews. This movie will find a big audience and bring in a ton of cash in the long run. Sandler does have a formula, and does have a following. It's no wonder he can find talented actors to tag along. The work I'm sure is easy, and the pay is huge. For the record, Sandler is who he is, yet again. Aniston looks great and has moments, but Kidman doing comedy in a very small role is pretty funny. Even though the writing is not very good, she does a lot with a little.
Just Go With It. We have all been down this same path before with Sandler and this bunch, and there is nothing new. There's a laugh or two, a giggle or two, but for the most part no reason to shell out 10 large per person to see this. Netflix in 90 days.
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