2009 Oscars: Change was in the air, but no surprises among the winners.

Ben Stiller's lampoon of Joaquin Phoenix was, for me, the best and funniest moment of the night. Anyone who's seen the actual Letterman interview would surely agree that was strange moment and Stiller's take on stage brought down the house.

With new producers, we saw a new format for the show. A great many set changes were interesting and the seating in a semi-circle around the stage was an interesting way to involve the audience. My favorite change to the program was the introduction of the acting categories which saw 5 previous winners come to the stage and introduce each nominee. It was a fantastically personal touch that everyone enjoyed, particularly as in almost every case it was a hardened veteran or legend that spoke to a younger generation. Of course each group of 5 included the previous years winner, so keeping that tradition alive was good to see.

As I stated in the title, the actual winners of the Oscars were largely expected. So no real surprises anywhere. I managed to get 78% of the winners correct but Jake squeaked out the win by picking up one more win for 83% on the night. Penelope Cruz's win for Supporting Actress was his ace in the hole. In my defence, I had picked her as my sneaker win.

For those of you who didn't watch or didn't catch all the categories, here is your complete list of winners:

Original Screenplay: Milk

Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire

Sound Editing: The Dark Knight

Original Song: "Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire

Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire

Make-up: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design: The Duchess

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Animated Film: Wall-E

Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Actress: Kate Winslet - The Reader

Actor: Sean Penn - Milk

Best Motion Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Lastly, the acceptance of supporting actor by the Ledger family was short and sweet and while the win was practically a foregone conclusion, it's nice to see the academy get it right. It will always be debated if it was the performance or the emotion that garnered the win. For my money, his work in The Dark Knight was one of the most unexpected and inspired pieces of acting I saw in 2008. Frankly, he deserved it.

I'm just saying,

Elijah

2009 Oscar Predictions

We are coming up on the 81st Academy Awards this Sunday and like last year I'm throwing my predictions in the ring for your perusal or debate if you so choose. I'm throwing out the Documentary, Short, and Foreign film categories this year because frankly, I didn't see any of them. Feel free to comment by clicking the button at the bottom of the post or sending an email from the link on the top right above the video bar. If you'd like to follow along or challenge me, you can get a nominations sheet here.

Jake's picks are in blue.

To quote a line from one of this years Supporting Actor Nominees, "Here we go..."

Original Screenplay:

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: Milk

Might sneak in: Wall-E or Happy-Go-Lucky

Want to win: In Bruges

Will win: Milk

Might sneak in: In Bruges or Wall-E

Adapted Screenplay:

Want to win: Frost/Nixon or The Reader

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Frost/Nixon

Visual Effects:

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: Iron Man

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: The Dark Knight

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Sound Editing:

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: The Dark Knight

Might sneak in: Iron Man

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: The Dark Knight

Might sneak in: Iron Man

Original Song:

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Down to Earth - Wall-E

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Down to Earth - Wall-E

Original Score:

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Want to win: Slumdog Millionaire

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Makeup:

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: The Dark Knight

Might sneak in: Hellboy 2

Want to win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Will win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Might sneak in: The Dark Knight

Film Editing:

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Frost/Nixon

Want to win: The Dark Knight

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Frost/Nixon

Director:

Want to win: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Will win: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Stephen Daldry - The Reader

Want to win: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Will win: Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: Gus Van Sant - Milk

Costume Design:

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: The Duchess

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Might sneak in: The Duchess

Cinematography:

Want to win: The Reader

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Want to win: Slumdog Millionaire

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Art Direction:

Want to win: Don't care

Will win: The Duchess

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Want to win: Don't Care

Will win: The Duchess

Might sneak in: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Animated Feature:

Want to win: Kung-Fu Panda

Will win: Wall-E

Might sneak in: No chance, Wall-E a lock.

Want to win: Wall-E

Will win: Wall-E

Might sneak in: No chance, Wall-E a lock.

Supporting Actress:

Want to win: Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Will win: Viola Davis - Doubt

Might sneak in: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Want to win: Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Will win: Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Might sneak in: Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler

Supporting Actor:

Want to win: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Will win: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Might sneak in: Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

Want to win: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Will win: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Might sneak in: Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt

Actress:

Want to win: Kate Winslet - The Reader

Will win: Kate Winslet - The Reader

Might sneak in: Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married

Want to win: Kate Winslet - The Reader

Will win: Kate Winslet - The Reader

Might sneak in: Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married

Actor:

Want to win: Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon

Will win: Sean Penn - Milk

Might sneak in: Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Want to win: Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Will win: Sean Penn - Milk

Might sneak in: Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon

Best Picture:

Want to win: Frost/Nixon

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Reader

Want to win: Wall-E (political statement, not eligible) or The Wrestler

Will win: Slumdog Millionaire

Might sneak in: The Reader

There you have it kids. Now, what do you think?

Elijah and Jake

Slumdog Millionaire. A 2 hour tutorial on the caste system.

Here we are. We've reached the last of the Best Picture nominees and the odds on favorite to win the Oscar. "Slumdog Millionaire" has basically swept the top spot in nearly every awards program this season and all of it leads to this Saturday night where the film is poised to walk away with the little, gold, bald man. Let's take a look at the film and discover why this particular Bollywood production has been able to climb the mountain and plant it's flag at the top.

From IMDB.com, a brief synopsis: A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.

The above entry is the basic outline of the film and we end up following the main character Jamal Malik from early childhood to early manhood. Throughout each flashback montage Jamal is joined by his older brother Salim who wishes to take care of his wiser younger brother in any manner, but is pushed farther to the dark side as he realizes that though he needs this self-validation, his brother may not need his help to survive.

The drive of the film is centered around a young girl named Latika that survived the slums with Jamal and Salim. It is the obsession Jamal feels to keep the group together that leads the boys into each adventure. As each flashback is told, we get closer to real-time events where Jamal is being interrogated in one scene and in another participating in the game show. Eventually, we reach the convergence of flashbacks and real-time that propels the story to it's climax: can and more importantly how will Jamal find Latika, is it possible for Salim to turn from the dark side in redemption, has Latika resigned to her fate or will she seek the sun and Jamal?

Let me start the performance section by saying that the best acting in this movie comes from the boys who portray Jamal and Salim at the various ages. Everyone of these young actors pulls off great performances. Obviously, natural talent has much to do with this, but I would also heap a lot of credit on director Danny Boyle for getting the right emotions and actions out of his actors. Thankfully, the majority of this film is spent watching these children grow up.

The last third is where I find the performances slump as we encounter the three leads on the verge of adulthood. Dev Patel has been garnering much attention as the older version of Jamal, and I confess that his performance during the torture and interrogation scenes are well done, but he is little more than a slack-jawed boy during the rest of his scenes. I found myself staring at him during the game show scenes wanting to yell at the screen to "DO SOMETHING!" That for me brought the whole thing down a notch. How can you believe the emotion of the story if your lead actor doesn't know how to show little more than sarcasm and a constant look of being dumbfound?

The elder actors playing Salim and Latika, Mudhar Mittal and Freida Pinto respectively, do a slightly better job but still don't rise to the level that their younger counterparts show us. Mittal as Salim reminds me vaguely of Al Pacino's character in "Scarface." That's obviously a stretch, but it may have been character arc and a more visual aspect than anything else. Freida Pinto's screen time is spent largely in a frightened state and to the actress' credit we do feel her peril as we watch events unfold. The problem is, the other emotion she's supposed to feel. I'll get into that little later, but my main concern is this: where is it coming from? I believe it's false and I'll speak to that at the end.

The supporting actors are strong in their roles here. We have Iirfan Khan as the police inspector who turns in a convincing role akin to his counterpart in the movie "The Usual Suspects." A slumlord mobster invoking "Miami Vice" played by Mahesh Manjrekar is a convincing dirtbag and Ankur Vikal turns in a diabolical role as king of the beggars completely channeling classic Dickens character Fagin. Finally, we have Anil Kapoor in the role of Prem, the host of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." I swear to you, dear reader, there was actual cheese flowing from the screen. I had to physically pick my feet from the floor as not to mess my shoes. The supporting cast in general fulfilled their role nicely and the only thing I would tell you is to watch for outward changes in attitude as the story evolves.

In the end, the story is fantastic and the framing of the narrative is great with the interrogation and game show scenes. Given that alone, I understand every award win and know that the Academy will award this film with a Best Picture Oscar. Now I'll tell you why I can't give this film a full score. Love. Love is given as the driving feeling for Jamal to pursue Latika throughout this picture. How can that be? We are never given any scenes where this is shown to bud. Love must be alluded to at least in a film, realized, nurtured, longed for. How can you love someone when you've spent your entire life trying to find them? I couldn't buy it in the end. Loyalty I would understand. A kinship certainly. Lust even. "Slumdog Millionaire" receives 4.5 lifelines out of a possible 5 lifelines from this reviewer. If this were California they'd be divorced in three years, he'd be splitting any winnings and kicked out of the house.

I'm not even going to go into the spectacle of the "Thrilleresque" song and dance routine at the end.

I'm just saying,

Elijah

Towelhead. Jake's latest dvd review, please don't drip on the floor.

I’m dipping into the DVD vault for "Towelhead," an independent film chronicling the coming-of-age story of a Lebanese-American girl living in Texas during the first Gulf War. It premiered in September at the Toronto Film Festival but failed to make it to the major cineplexes. The film raked in a whopping $371,000 at the box office, but not because the movie is bad. Much like everyone’s early teen years and their own battle with the puberty monster, this film is just awkward. If it were truly a bad movie, I wouldn’t review it.

The title of the movie is somewhat misleading. “Towelhead” invokes a racist undertone that would suggest that the movie is about the difficulties of a multi-race girl in an unforgiving and racist backdrop of the American South. It isn’t. Sorry to burst your, “I want to hate Texas even more” bubble, and I’m sorry to all you Texas readers (if there are any) to whom I have just alienated. If you notice, the IMDB title has been changed for just that reason.

If you are familiar with Alan Ball’s work as a writer, director and producer, you know that he is sexually driven; sometimes in a tantalizingly good way and other times, abrasive. I really enjoyed the first season of his new HBO series “True Blood” but that is a story for a blog of another color. The story, based on Alicia Erian's novel of the same name, follows Jasira, a thirteen-year-old who is the daughter of a broken home. Living with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, she is sent to live with her father in Houston, Texas after the boyfriend makes a sexual advance. After the move she is confronted with an emotionally abusive father, a sexually-frustrated-middle-aged-redneck neighbor, her own internal identity battle and desperate attempts at real love.

Sounds like a lot to tackle. It was and that’s why this film failed. There is beauty in simplicity. There was just too much going on in this film that it couldn’t get out of its own way. There were moments of brilliance and there were moments that were flat. It was like a 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle that sounds so enticing that you actually start it, get the edges finished, decide to come back tomorrow, but it never gets finished because you can never get all the sky pieces to fit together.

The two redeeming elements of this film were Summer Bishil and Aaron Eckhart, who played Jasira and the middle-aged neighbor, respectively. As if you needed that; although Eckhart as a 13-year-old half Lebanese girl might be funny. Bishil gives a solid performance and conveys the confusion of an unguided kitten quite charmingly. She is an up-and-coming actress that I would keep an eye on. However, the fact that she was 18/19 during the production eroded some of the innocence that I would have liked to have seen in the earlier scenes of the movie.

Eckhart, God save him, played the creepy guy roll to a “T”. The fact that this movie didn’t go mainstream was probably good for Eckhart’s career. He has made a nice name for himself over the past few years and this character would definitely jar loose his position in many moviegoers’ hearts. There were a few scenes between Bishil and Eckhart that I felt uncomfortable watching, which is likely what the director was aiming at, but no one likes to hear nails on a chalkboard.

Overall, I give this movie 2 1/2 God Bless Texas's out of 5 God Bless Texas's. There was a lot of potential with a cast that includes the aforementioned actors as well as Toni Collette but the plot needed to get hacked into two or three separate movies. It’s worth a watch if you see it on the IFC channel or if you have Netflix but there are better movies to see on DVD before renting this one.

Jake

Frost/Nixon: 70's clothes and hair, couldn't possibly get better than this, right?

How do you make a slam dunk, award nominated film? It can't be easy. Many try and fail every year; people whose names we may never know fail, not for lack of trying.

What if your name is Ron Howard? The world has known your name since you tied up your first sneakers and now they expect great pictures from you time and again. I suspect Mr. Howard would say that he makes pictures that interest him and let's the celluloid fall where it may. I respect that and would wholeheartedly believe that to be a very true statement coming from him.

I have a better route to nomination. Let me throw this on the page and see if you, the reader, agree. Why not take a Tony award winning Broadway play and see if it works on the big screen? It worked tremendously well for "Chicago," not to mention countless others through the decades. It seems to me that you may not get the big box office numbers on a project like this, but the character drama and subject matter alone will garner Academy attention. Now, match top notch director Ron Howard with the one thing he loves in a story: great character drama. The result, I'm happy to say, is an entertaining and gripping film. Gripping.

The brief plot summary of Frost/Nixon brought to us by IMDB.com: For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity--ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth.

Perhaps the best move in creating this film started in the casting room: bring in the two lead actors who have made these characters come to life on stage. First, Michael Sheen playing the part of television host David Frost. I have never seen a brighter smile or more natural smarm ooze from a character like I did watching this film. Well, other than myself, at midnight in a pub after more than my share of gin and tonics. Indeed, during the first third of the film I found myself thinking of a slightly reserved Austin Powers. Once we get to the meat of the film we discover that the masked insecurity and self-doubt can only be challenged by the intense desire to reclaim his spot in the world and the respect that he feels he's lost somewhere along the way. Mr. Sheen pulls off this character as if he were born to play it. In facing one of the most infamous world leaders Sheen lets us feel the imposing figure before him. We shrink with him as he sits face to face with cunning skill. Can this be turned around, can he master the challenge? If you know your history, you already know.

Character actor Frank Langella recreates his Broadway turn as Richard Nixon here for our viewing pleasure. My God, what a commanding performance. When the character appears on the screen you cannot take your eyes off him. This may be one of the best jobs of becoming the role that this writer has ever seen. His Nixon is utterly Presidential. This epitomizes the feeling that when a person walks into a room and before saying a single word, that person dominates the attention of all present. Langella shows us the fire of a competitor, the wilyness of a conspiritor, the loss through time and circumstance, and a peek into the soul of someone you might have thought no longer possessed one. Were I in a position to do it, I would have handed the Oscar for best actor to Frank Langella the moment I left the theater.

The supporting cast top off the picture. Each gets to enjoy great scenes and more than one funny line is thrown about to lighten the picture when it needs it. One of my favorite scene stealers shows up here in the form of Oliver Platt. His timing in delivery is fantastic, and we haven't see enough of him in general lately. Sam Rockwell comes aboard to inhabit the form of "hate" that the American public exudes, bringing this picture to your house, where you live, so that you can feel the spirit of the time. Kevin Bacon shows us his tight, authoritative side again as the chief of staff for Nixon. When Bacon is on the screen you know you're going to get tension and he doesn't disappoint here. Finally, one of my favorite British actors, Matthew Macfadyen appears in a strong supporting role alongside the Frost character. Of course, who could forget Clint Howard, who makes his signature appearance in every Ron Howard film.

Frost/Nixon had me skeptically watching in the beginning. Laughing along in the middle. Then finally unable to move from my seat in the last third as we reach the actual interview. This is what every moviegoer wants: an experience at the theater that grabs them and doesn't let go until the credits and perhaps after. I am giving Frost/Nixon 5 italian loafers out of a possible 5. If you're not interested in history or political dramas, this may not be a film for you, but I can find no fault in this movie.

I'm just saying,

Elijah

Coraline! Go see it and support Claire, a LOCAL budding actress.

For those of you not paying attention to the commercials between your kids t.v. programs, "Coraline" is the most hyped stop-motion 3-D movie to come out of Hollywood since "The Nightmare Before Christmas." The good news is that the same director (Henry Selick) of that innovative movie is at the helm of this Neil Gaiman graphic novel, "Coraline." Clocking in at a running time of 1:40, this is also the longest stop-motion film to come out of Hollywood.

The thing is, this film is not being released from there, but rather Portland, Oregon. If you live in the area and have read the business section from any local paper you know that this is the first film to come out of Laika Studios. The company is the brainchild of Travis Knight, but perhaps more importantly is backed by his father Phil Knight of Nike fame.

Generally, when a person hears of an animated or stop-motion movie being released they immediately wonder who provides the leading characters voices. Let me tell you people, the movie-making process on this type of film starts long before you learn the starring voices. From the beginning, one of our own, 14 year old Claire was cast to provide the reference motion and body style of the lead puppet, "Coraline."

The daughter of a friend and coworker with the guys here at Skip the Concessions, Claire already possesses a sparkling singing voice, certain stage presence and the ambition to carry her where ever she decides to go. A veteran of local stage productions already at the age of 14, we here at STC wish continued success and all the FUN in the world for Claire.

When you're looking at the movie listings this weekend or trying to find something to do with the kids, remember the 3-D experience, "Coraline." You'll be supporting not only Claire, but the hundreds of talented artists and film-makers living here in your own backyard.

I'm just saying,

Elijah

The Reader, our third Best Picture Nominee review. The wit, it does escape me.

Finally.

Finally, I have seen a movie that deserves to be nominated in the category for Best Motion Picture that is actually nominated in the category. It took some reflection and not too many viewings of the trailer to bring me to the point I needed in order to write this column today. My first thought on the film was that I could understand why it was nominated: dark subject matter, edgy relationships, period piece, first rate talent, post Nazi Germany. It fits naturally into the mold that The Academy has set as it's standards in the most recent decades. A natural fit does not necessarily achieve a little golden man, and for the moment I wasn't sold on the idea.

Here then is your brief synopsis brought to you by IMDB.com: THE READER opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken.

For those of you who have not read the book, I fear that the above entry already says too much and I can't bring myself to add anymore spoilers. If you need more, they are certainly out there to find. The trailer at the right would be a good place to start.

The movie itself is a flashback of sorts and we do jump around between the years 1958 and 1995 throughout. Each time period is brilliantly displayed. From the rebuilding of Germany in the 1950s to 1995 separated West Berlin and even 1985 New York City. Directing and cinematography are top notch. Director Stephen Daldry had a vision of the world within this screenplay and his crew found a way to breathe life into each setting. Truly, the individual room associated with each phase of life dictates the scene and is a character all it's own. The '50s German country side versus the "free" West Berlin of the '80s and '90s. The desolate, grey interior of a concentration camp in comparison to an antiseptic one bedroom flat. The starkness of a college dorm alongside a decorated jail cell. Brilliant.

Kate Winslett is going to win the Oscar for Best Actress. There I've said it. It's really not a stretch considering she's won the Golden Globe and the SAG. I guess I'm not putting anything out there that you don't already suspect. Her portrayal of a "Strong German Woman", resolute in her duties, staunch, dedicated, unwavering (nearly), is in a word: intense. The transformation she goes through as she ages is an amazing acting job, and not just physically. We see this woman begin to let things in, just a bit. But is it too late? This is the role Winslett needed to push her over the top. Sorry Missus Hathaway and Streep.

The young Michael Berg is played by David Kross. This young man finds a way to show every emotion across the board and play it well. From a 15 year old discovering a secret obsession, anger at perceived selfishness, heartbreak of loss, confusion from abandonment, and the catalyst that spurs the plot brings the impossible choice of loyalty versus duty. You can see how the character changes from start to finish, as he pulls away and withdraws into himself. Trying to protect himself from further injury only to unwittingly do more harm than good. If a way could have been found for Kross to play the character all the way through, there would be no doubt in my mind that he would be nominated for Best Actor.

That job of playing the elder Michael Berg falls to Ralph Fiennes, who for a major portion of the film is given little to do other then project pain and reflection. The final quarter of the film we catch up a bit with Berg and we truly see the impact that this relationship from nearly 30 years earlier has taken on Michael's relation to the people around him. Had not the tragic turn been taken, what sort of a man would he have become. We will never know because Ralph Fiennes is only given a painful version of love to show us. If you have seen The Constant Gardener, then you know that Ralph Fiennes is superbly suited for this role. His face to face scene near the end of "The Reader" is the payoff I needed as we see a subtle change take place, we can only hope it is not too late for Michael.

The Reader was, for me, the story of redemption. Redemption of ones soul, not the one who could never have it back, the one who needed it desperately. I'm giving "The Reader "4 little tea tins out of 5 little tea tins for a well told story that navigates multiple emotional pitfalls. Had this film been based on a true story I believe I would have picked up the book to get all the details. Having been a work of fiction, I get the feeling that I've seen all I really need to enjoy the story. With that, this movie becomes my favorite for an Oscar, but we've still got two more nominees to go.

I'm just saying,

Elijah