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- 13/February/2009 [12:30 PM] -- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is beautifully adapted for the screen by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich). This story is a romantic drama that tells the strange tale of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), born in New Orleans in 1918 a dying, aging 80 year old with cataracts, arthritis and wrinkles. Benjamin begins to age backwards, getting younger as the people closest to him grow older including his adoptive mother, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), and the love of his life, he meets when she is just girl, Daisy (Cate Blanchett). As he ages backward and she ages forward they begin to take on separate lives, until finally meeting in the middle. This film is epic in scale and intimate in detail, director David Fincher (Fight Club, Seven) deviates from his usual style to bring us the most emotionally impactful film of the year. Brad Pitt is nothing short of extraordinary and Cate Blanchett offers the most touching performance of her career. Skillful acting, exceptional directing and an inspired script aren’t the only impressive accomplishments of this film, the achievements in both makeup and CGI used to make these characters age are remarkable. All of these elements serve to make this film one of the most beautiful love stories of all time. This film is available in MoPix and may prove to be effetive in certain scenes but it also offers a lot of dialogue and narration from Brad Pitt that will be very helpful to you too.
Nominated for:
Best Picture
Best Actor: Brad Pitt
Best Supporting Actress: Taraji P. Henson
Art Direction
Cinematography
Costume Design
Directing
Film Editing
Makeup
Music (Score)
Sound Mixing
Visual Effects
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett
Is there anything left?
- (Warner Bros)
- Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson and Tilda Swiden
- Rated: PG-13
- Running Time: 165 mins
- This film is currently available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews]
- 12/February/2009 [5:13 PM] -- Iron Man
Like The Dark Knight, Iron Man spans all audiences, comic book fan or not this is the type of summer blockbuster that lasts far beyond the season. Tony Stark is a billionaire playboy and genius who is always chasing his next big dream. Selling weapons is his game and a business trip to Afghanistan quickly turns into chaos when Stark finds himself at the mercy of a warlord who wants him to build a missile. Knowing they will only kill him he instead creates a suit of armor, thus turning him into Iron Man and allowing him to escape. In returning from a near death experience he has decided to change his ways, and everyone close to him including his assistant Pepper Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow), friend Rhodey (Terrence Howard) and long time business partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) are concerned and fascinated by the new man he has become. Director Jon Favreau against the feelings of other involved insisted on Robert Downey Jr to play the legendary Iron Man and boy are we glad he held his ground. Robert Downey Jr knows what makes Tony Stark tick and brings the character to life flawlessly. Like any action movie a lot of description is needed for the visually impaired, this film is now available on DVD so if you haven’t see it yet, I recommend renting it with a friend or family member to get the full effect, if you have already seen it then you know what all the hype is about. Two amazing comic book movies came out last year and this is one of them. Special note for those you don’t know, audiences who keep watching after the credits have rolled will be rewarded with a bonus scene.
Nominated for:
Visual Effects
Sound Editing
Sound Mixing
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Actor: Robert Downey Jr.
- (Paramount)
- Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Gwenith Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrance Howard
- Rated: PG-13
- Running Time: 126 mins
- This film is currently NOT available in MoPix
Posted in [Comedy Reviews, Family Film Reviews, Action Film Reviews]
- 12/February/2009 [4:28 PM] -- The Reader
I want to start off by saying, right before the big night of the Oscars I will review all my picks for what I believe should win that evening but I will tell you up front now that this movie has my vote for best picture of the year. The Reader has gotten mixed reviews and a lot of people have a predetermined belief that this is another typical Holocaust film, I can assure you, it is not. This emotionally written film focuses more on the perpetrators then the victims of the Holocaust and gives insight into the fact that some of them were people too, even victims of a different fate. Kate Winslet takes on another hefty role of Hanna Schmitz, a woman who has an affair with Michael Berg (David Kross), a fifteen year old boy in Germany in the 1950’s. Their romance is filled with tender and emotional moments of love making and literature reading. Things become complicated and Hanna suddenly disappears, and Michael is forced to return to his normal life. Close to a decade later, Michael is studying law when he sees Hanna again, only this time she is on trial for her actions as a guard during the war. The story becomes very heart wrenching as we, along with Michael are torn between justice and a well hidden secret that may save Hanna from a life in prison. Based on the bestselling novel by Bernhard Schlink and beautifully written for the screen by David Hare, The Reader is multilayered not offering the audience any easy answers but undoubtedly makes you find feeling and compassion for all the characters. Director Stephen Daldry (The Hours) brings together a touching and powerful film. Kate Winslet is at her career best and German actor David Kross is fascinating and remarkable. This film is not currently available in MoPix but I do believe you can follow this story without it, there is a lot of things given away in facial expressions so if you have a sighted friend to help you out it will bring the depth and brilliancy that is The Reader.
Nominated for:
Best Actress: Kate Winslet
Cinematography
Directing
Best Picture
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Actor: David Kross
- (The Weinstein Company)
- Starring: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross and Lena Olin
- Rated: R
- Running Time: 123 mins
- This film is currently NOT available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews]
- 12/February/2009 [12:34 PM] -- Frost/Nixon
One of my favorite directors Ron Howard brings to the screen an exhilarating battle between Richard Nixon (Frank Langella), the dishonored president with a legacy to save, and David Frost (Michael Sheen), an up and coming British television personality with a name to make, in the untold story of the historic encounter between Frost/Nixon. Two Oscar worthy performances from Frank Langella, who won a Tony for his portrayal of Nixon, and Michael Sheen who played David Frost onstage in both the New York and London productions. After being forced from office Richard Nixon remained silent for three years until the summer of 1977 when he agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront and answer questions about his time in office and the Watergate scandal that put an end to his presidency. Thinking he could out maneuver the brisk, cheery British entertainer he chose David Frost to help secure a place in the hearts and minds of the American people. Frosts own team had doubts about his ability to stand his ground with such a manipulative individual but as the cameras rolled something extraordinary occurred between this fascinating battle of wits. Frost/Nixon completely recreates the legendary on-air interview and also gives you a glimpse into the behind-the scenes maneuvering between the camps as negotiations took place, deals were made and secrets revealed once and for all. With outstanding performances and extraordinary dialogue and an unbelievably talented leader in Howard, Frost/Nixon is filmmaking at it’s finest. With non-stop drama and dialogue this movie is perfect for the visually impaired and is also available in MoPix although I’m not sure it’s needed. So head to the cinema and enjoy a piece of history that is brilliantly crafted and educational as well.
Nominated for:
Best Picture
Best Actor: Frank Langella
Best Director: Ron Howard
Film Editing
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Actor: Michael Sheen
Costume Design
- (Universal)
- Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Oliver Platt, Sam Rockwell and Kevin Bacon
- Rated: R
- Running Time: 122 mins
- This film is currently available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews]
- 30/January/2009 [10:22 PM] -- The Wrestler
The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a man who has spent decades slicing himself open in choreographed fights while adoring crowds roar. Pro wrestling isn’t as lucrative as it was for Randy in the 1980s, but he stays at it while working menial jobs because he craves performing and needs a sense of belonging which he finds in fans chants. While trying to win the affections of his one true friend, a stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), Randy does his best to mend his relationship with his angry daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) he abandoned years ago. Rourke turns in an award-worthy comeback performance. Darren Aronofsky (Requiem of Dream, The Fountain) gives an evocative look into the crumbling life of a wrestler who’s dreams are slowly coming to an end. Filmed with a documentary-quietness that leaves little dialogue at times, I definitely recommend taking a sighted friend with you to help fill in the realistic moments of passing time.
Nominated for:
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke
Best Supporting Actress: Marisa Tomei
Could have also been nominated for:
Best Song: “The Wrestler” by: Bruce Springsteen
- (Fox Searchlight)
- Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood
- Rated: R
- Running Time: 109 mins
- This film is currently NOT available in MoPix
Posted in [Drama Reviews]
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