2015 Oscar Predictions

 It’s that time of year again for my fearless Oscar predictions. It’s between Birdman and Boyhood. My fingers are crossed. Just as a reminder, I’m not predicting who I want to win but who I think the Academy will vote for. From smaller to bigger, here we go:

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM

(It has some laughs and cute kids)

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

FEAST

(It’s made by Disney. It’s cute.)

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

OUR CURSE

(Sad tale of a baby with special needs)

SOUND EDITING

AMERICAN SNIPER

(There’s bullet sounds and such)

SOUND MIXING

AMERICAN SNIPER

(Though Whiplash’s drumming deserves it)

ORIGINAL SCORE

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

(A moving score that tugs the heartstrings)

ORIGINAL SONG

GLORY [SELMA]

(Powerful. Sad Lego Movie won’t get it)

VISUAL EFFECTS

INTERSTELLAR

(Nolan rocks this category)

MAKE-UP & HAIRSTYLING

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

(Tilda Swinton’s old age make-up? Sure.)

COSTUME DESIGN

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

(Lots of flashy outfits with great colours)

PRODUCTION DESIGN

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

(Wes Anderson should always win this)

FILM EDITING

BOYHOOD

(Seamless editing of 12 years of work)

CINEMATOGRAPHY

BIRDMAN

(One really long complex shot)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

CITIZENFOUR

(Interesting meetings with Edward Snowden)

ANIMATED FEATURE

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2

(Angry that The Lego Movie is not in here)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

IDA

(A nun learns about her family’s secrets)

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

THE IMITATION GAME

(It should win something)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

BIRDMAN

(A truly interesting film with great dialogue)

BEST DIRECTOR

RICHARD LINKLATER [BOYHOOD]

(The man put it all on the line for 12 years)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

PATRICIA ARQUETTE [BOYHOOD]

(She’s been winning constantly as a troubled mom)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

JK SIMMONS [WHIPLASH]

(This guy is intense and well-deserving)

BEST ACTRESS

JULIANNE MOORE [STILL ALICE]

(She’s heartbreaking showing the start of Alzheimer’s)

BEST ACTOR

EDDIE REDMAYNE [THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING]

(He contorts to show ALS but also show so much humanity)

BEST PICTURE

BIRDMAN

(The film industry loves stories that deal with actors. So vain.)

Let’s see how I do on Oscar night this Sunday. Last year I got 21 out of 24. 

Superbowl Commercials

I remember a time when the Superbowl ads were full of non-stop laughs. Bug Light would usually win the competition with something outrageously funny. Now it’s full of ‘inspiring’ messages and sadness. It was an odd crop this year, so I thought I would categorize them differently this year.

FUNNIEST COMMERCIALS

Esurance – Walter White

It’s really funny if you’ve seen Breaking Bad

Doritos – Middle Seat

These guys usually have fun stuff each year.

BEST USE OF CELEBRITIES

Clash of Clans – Revenge

Who’d have thought Liam Neeson would do this? Awesome.

Snickers – The Brady Bunch

I love this ad campaign. Fun actor choices this year.

BEST MOVIE TEASER

Minions – Superbowl Teaser

Because they are awesome.

DON’T KNOW WHY THEY’RE ADVERTISING

Avocados From Mexico – First Draft Ever

Don’t know why this needs to be advertised.

INSPIRING COMMERCIALS

Dove Men + Care – Real Strength

Of the multiple ads praising dads, I liked this one best.

Carnival – Return to the Sea

I kind of want to book a cruise right now.

SADDEST COMMERCIAL

Nationwide – The Boy Who Couldn’t Wait to Grow Up

Why do they want football fans to be all sad.

WHAT WAS THAT?

Squarespace – Dreaming with Jeff

Jeff Bridges ‘singing’ me to sleep creeps me out.

I also liked the Mindy Kaling Nationwide ad that was a lot happier than the dead boy one. I liked her in the carwash. Anyway, hoping next year’s ads are a lot funnier and less preachy like the Weight Watchers and Proctor & Gamble. Which were your favourites?

Film: Whiplash

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for strong language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 47 minutes

STARRING: Miles Teller (Divergent, The Spectacular Now)

JK Simmons (Juno, Spiderman), Paul Reiser (Mad About You)

DIRECTOR: Damien Chazelle (newcomer)

WRITER: Damien Chazelle (The Last Exorcism Part II)

PLOT: A young drummer is pushed to the limit by an emotionally abusive instructor who will stop at nothing to achieve the student’s potential.  

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 It is so awesome that JK Simmons is finally getting the credit he deserves. He is fantastic in this film. He is so intimidating. I would not want him to instruct me. Give him the Oscar.

2 One has to ask if the instructor’s abusive nature is effective or does the student have lots of self-determination. Something to think about.

3 I respect drummers a lot more now. I can barely hold a beat.

4 There’s a great dinner conversation where the musician puts the football player in his place. As an artist, it made me smile.

5 Raisnettes in popcorn? Gross.

RECOMMENDATION: Try and watch before the Oscars
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Kingsman: The Secret Service

Film: The Theory of Everything

GENRE: Bio/Drama/Romance

RATING: PG13 for thematic elements
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 3 minutes

STARRING: Eddie Redmayne (My Week with Marilyn, Les Mis)

Felicity Jones (Amazing Spiderman 2), Charlie Cox (Boardwalk Empire)

DIRECTOR: James Marsh (Man on Wire; Project Nim)

WRITER: Anthony McCarten (newcomer)

PLOT: A biography on the relationship of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife starting just before he is diagnosed with ALS.  

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 Eddie Redmayne should win the Oscar for this role. Sure Michael Keaton is good in Birdman, but Redmayne is phenomenal. The concentration to contort the body and face and still convey such depth is truly amazing. I am in awe.

2 While Redmayne gets all the credit, Jones does a pretty awesome job as Hawking’s wife. You feel for her the entire time.  

3 At the Golden Globes I thought Birdman would win best score because of all the drumming but again, Theory wins out, and deservedly so. Johann Johannsson;s score is simply beautiful. So moving and rich.

4 I often forget how funny Hawking can be. I always think back to his Simpsons cameo. In this film, he rolls on his wheelchair acting like a Dalek for Dr. Who. I laughed out loud.

5 The story is pretty moving. There’s also some science-y stuff that I knew nothing about. Didn’t bother me that much.

RECOMMENDATION: Good rental, unless watching for Oscar
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Whiplash; Selma

Film: American Sniper

GENRE: Action/Drama

RATING: R for war violence and language
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 12 minutes

STARRING: Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook; Limitless)

Sienna Miller (Foxcatcher, Stardust), Kyle Gallner (Veronica Mars)

DIRECTOR: Clint Eastwood (Flags of Our Fathers; Million Dollar Baby)

WRITER: Jason Hall (Paranoia)

PLOT: A biography of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL sniper who made countless kills and saved many lives.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 While watching this film, I was reminded of The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. This one is kind of a mash-up of those. Not bad company but we’ve also seen it all before; nothing really new has been brought to the table. It also contains some of the same war film cliches.

2 Cooper does a great job, even when he is at home being despondent and trying to deny his PTSD.  

3 There are some very well done, intense scenes throughout the movie. They will definitely keep your attention.

4 They are trying to hunt down an awesome sniper named Mustafa. Even though it sounds a bit different, I kept thinking of Mufasa from The Lion King. Especially when the hyenas are trying to scare each other with the name.

5 There’s a really cool aerial zoom of Iraq near the end of the film. Drones used for filming are awesome.

RECOMMENDATION: Just wait to rent it
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Theory of Everything

Golden Globes Recap

As usual, it was a fun show. I liked Tina and Amy’s opening comments but wished we could see them more throughout the broadcast.  I only got 54% correct this year. There are a couple that I should have known better, some way out there winners and some pleasant surprises. I was very happy to see The Grand Budapest Hotel win Best Comedy. I was annoyed that The Lego Movie lost to How to Train Your Dragon 2. I was surprised at the love for The Affair but was happy that Boyhood and Birdman and JK Simmons got their due. Anyway, here are the winners.

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Boyhood (predicted)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Julianne Moore (Still Alice) (predicted)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) (predicted)

Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical

Amy Adams (Big Eyes)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical

Michael Keaton (Birdman) (predicted & wanted)

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) (predicted)

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

JK Simmons (Whiplash) (predicted & wanted)

Best Animated Feature Film

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Best Foreign Language Film

Leviathan (Russia)

Best Director – Motion Picture

Richard Linklater (Boyhood) (predicted & wanted)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Birdman) (predicted)

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

The Theory of Everything

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

“Glory” (Selma – John Legend, Common) (predicted)

Best Television Series – Drama

The Affair

Best Actress In A Television Series – Drama

Ruth Wilson (The Affair)

Best Actor In A Television Series – Drama

Kevin Spacey (House of Cards) (predicted & wanted)

Best Television Series – Comedy

Transparent

Best Actress In A Television Series – Comedy

Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin)

Best Actor In A Television Series – Comedy

Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent) (predicted)

Best Mini-Series or TV Movie

Fargo (wanted)

Best Actress In A Mini-series or TV Movie

Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Honorable Woman)

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie

Billy Bob Thorton (Fargo) (wanted)

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie

Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey)

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie

Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart) 

Golden Globes 2015 Predictions

It’s time for the Golden Globes guessing game. With less than 100 members voting, it’s pretty much a crapshoot. But at least they honour comedies, the winners are pretty tipsy, and the hosts are amazing in Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Here’s who I think will win and want to win.

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Boyhood | Foxcatcher | The Imitation Game | Selma | The Theory of Everything

Will Win: Boyhood

Want to Win: The Imitation Game

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

Steve Carell [Foxcatcher] | Benedict Cumberbatch [The Imitation Game] | Jake Gyllenhaal [Nightcrawler] | David Oyelowo [Selma] | Eddie Redmayne [The Theory of Everything]

Will Win: Eddie Redmayne [The Theory of Everything]

Want to Win: Benedict Cumberbatch [The Imitation Game]

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

Jennifer Aniston [Cake] | Felicity Jones [The Theory of Everything] | Julianne Moore [Still Alice] | Rosamund Pike [Gone Girl] | Reese Witherspoon [Wild]

Will Win: Julianne Moore [Still Alice]

Want to Win: Rosamund Pike [Gone Girl]

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY

Birdman | The Grand Budapest Hotel | Into the Woods | Pride | St. Vincent

Will Win: Birdman

Want to Win: Birdman

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY

Ralph Fiennes [The Grand Budapest Hotel] | Michael Keaton [Birdman] | Bill Murray [St. Vincent] | Joaquin Phoenix [Inherent Vice] | Christoph Waltz [Big Eyes]

Will Win: Michael Keaton [Birdman]

Want to Win: Michael Keaton [Birdman]

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY

Amy Adams [Big Eyes] | Emily Blunt [Into the Woods] | Helen Mirren [The Hundred Foot Journey] | Julianne Moore [Map to the Stars] | Quvenzhane Walls [Annie]

Will Win: Emily Blunt [Into the Woods]

Want to Win: Emily Blunt [Into the Woods]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - FILM

Robert Duvall [The Judge] | Ethan Hawke [Boyhood] | Edward Norton [Birdman] | Mark Ruffalo [Foxcatcher] | JK Simmons [Whiplash]

Will Win: JK Simmons [Whiplash]

Want to Win: JK Simmons [Whiplash]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - FILM

Patricia Arquette [Boyhood] | Jessica Chastain [A Most Violent Year] | Kiera Knightley [The Imitation Game] | Emma Stone [Birdman] | Meryl Streep [Into the Woods]

Will Win: Patricia Arquette [Boyhood]

Want to Win: Emma Stone [Birdman]

BEST DIRECTOR

Wes Anderson [The Grand Budapest Hotel] | Ava Duvernay [Selma] | David Fincher [Gone Girl] | Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu [Birdman] | Richard Linklater [Boyhood]

Will Win: Richard Linklater [Boyhood]

Want to Win: Richard Linklater [Boyhood]

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Big Hero 6 | The Book of Life | The Boxtrolls | How to Train Your Dragon 2 | The Lego Movie

Will Win: The Lego Movie

Want to Win: The Lego Movie

BEST FOREGIN LANGUAGE FILM

Force Majeure [Sweden] | Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem [Israel] | Ida  [Poland] | Leviathan  [Russia] | Tangerines [Estonia]

Will Win: Ida [Poland]

Want to Win: Ida [Poland]

BEST SCREENPLAY

Wes Anderson [The Grand Budapest Hotel] | Gillian Flynn [Gone Girl] | Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu [Birdman] | Richard Linlater [Boyhood] | Graham Moore [The Imitation Game]

Will Win: Alejandro Gonzalex Inarritu [Birdman]

Want to Win: Wes Anderson [The Grand Budapest Hotel]

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Alexandre Desplat [The Imitation Game] | Johann Johannsson [The Theory of Everything] | Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross [Gone Girl] | Antonio Sanchez [Birdman] | Hans Zimmer [Interstellar]

Will Win: Antonio Sanchez [Birdman]

Want to Win: Antonio Sanchez [Birdman]

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

“Big Eyes” – Lana del Rey [Big Eyes] | “Glory” – John Legend & Common [Selma] | “Mercy Is” – Patti Smith [Noah] | “Opportunity” – Sia [Annie] | “Yellow Flicker Beat” – Lorde [Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1]

Will Win: “Glory” – John Legend & Common [Selma]

Want to Win: “Yellow Flicker Beat” – Lorde [Mockingjay, Part 1]

BEST TV SERIES – DRAMA

The Affair | Downton Abbey | Game of Thrones | The Good Wife | House of Cards

Will Win: House of Cards

Want to Win: Game of Thrones

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

Clive Owen [The Knick] | Live Schreiber [Ray Donovan] | Kevin Spacey [House of Cards] | James Spader [The Blacklist] | Dominic West [The Affair]

Will Win: Kevin Spacey [House of Cards]

Want to Win: Kevin Spacey [House of Cards]

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

Claire Danes [Homeland] | Viola Davis [How to Get Away with Murder] | Julianna Margulies [The Good Wife] | Ruth Wilson [The Affair] | Robin Wright [House of Cards]

Will Win: Viola Davis [How to Get Away with Murder]

Want to Win: Robin Wright [House of Cards]

BEST TV SERIES – COMEDY

Girls | Jane the Virgin | Orange is the New Black | Silicon Valley | Transparent

Will Win: Orange is the New Black

Want to Win: Silicon Valley

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY

Louis CK [Louie] | Don Cheadle [House of Lies] | Ricky Gervais [Derek] | William H Macy [Shameless] | Jeffery Tambor [Transparent]

Will Win: Jeffrey Tambor [Transparent]

Want to Win: Louis CK [Louie]

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY

Lena Dunham [Girls] | Edie Falco [Nurse Jackie] | Julia Louis-Dreyfus [Veep] | Gina Rodriguez [Jane the Virgin] | Taylor Schilling [Orange is the New Black]

Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus [Veep]

Want to Win: Taylor Schilling [Orange is the New Black]

BEST TV MINISERIES/MOVIE

Fargo | The Missing | The Normal Heart | Olive Kitteridge | True Detective

Will Win: True Detective

Want to Win: Fargo

BEST ACTOR – MINISERIES/MOVIE

Martin Freeman [Fargo] | Woody Harrelson [True Detective] | Matthew McConaughey [True Detective] | Mark Ruffalo [The Normal Heart] | Billy Bob Thorton [Fargo]

Will Win: Matthew McConaughey [True Detective]

Want to Win: Billy Bob Thorton [Fargo]

BEST ACTRESS – MINISERIES/MOVIE

Maggie Gyllenhaal [The Honorable Woman] | Jessica Lange [American Horror Story: Freak Show] | Frances McDormand [Olive Kitteridge] | Frances O’Connor [The Missing] | Allison Tolman [Fargo]

Will Win: Frances McDormand [Olive Kitteridge]

Want to Win: Allison Tolman [Fargo]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - TELEVISION

Matt Bomer [The Normal Heart] | Alan Cumming [The Good Wife] | Colin Hanks [Fargo] | Bill Murray [Olive Kitteridge] | Jon Voight [Ray Donovan]

Will Win: Bill Murray [Olive Kitteridge]

Want to Win: Bill Murray [Olive Kitteridge]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – TELEVISION

Uzo Aduba [Orange is the New Black] | Kathy Bates [American Horror Story: Freak Show] | Joanne Froggatt [Downton Abbey] | Allison Janney [Mom] | Michelle Monaghan [True Detective]

Will Win: Uzo Aduba [Orange is the New Black]

Want to Win: Uzo Aduba [Orange is the New Black]

Let’s see how I do this year. 

2015 Film Preview

 Here’s what looks interesting at a glance for the new year. Again, I am basing a lot of my picks on the people involved, familiarity, or an interesting plot description. Keep in mind that most these dates are flexible (some might get pushed into 2016).Here they are, in release date order:

1. Kingsman: The Secret Service (Feb.13) 
Director: Matthew Vaughn [X-Men: First Class]

Colin Firth as a cool spy who recruits a street kid into an exclusive agency.

2. Divergent Series: Insurgent (Mar.20) 
Director: Robert Schwentke [RED]

Tris and Four are on the run from the Erudite. This first one was pretty good.

3. Avengers: Age of Ultron (May.1) 
Director: Joss Whedon [Avengers]

Extremely excited to see what Whedon does this time around.

4. Tomorrowland (May.22) 
Director: Brad Bird [The Incredibles]

Hope Bird and George Clooney don’t make a Disneyland promo film.

5. Entourage (Jun.5) 
Director: Doug Ellin [newcomer]

I watched the television series, so let’s see where this goes.

6. Jurassic World (Jun.12) 
Director: Colin Tevorrow [Safety Not Guaranteed]

Scientists stupidly make a dino-hybrid that goes wild. Sounds like fun.

7. Inside Out (Jun.19) 
Director: Pete Docter [Up]

It’s Pixar. It has Amy Poehler, Lewis Black and Mindy Kaling. I’m there.

8. Minions (Jul.10) 
Director: Pierre Coffin [Despicable Me]

A Despicable Me prequel where minions look for evil bosses. Sooo cute.

9. Ant-Man (Jul.17) 
Director: Peyton Reed [Yes Man]

Paul Rudd shrinks in the newest Marvel offering. They haven’t missed yet.

10. Masterminds (Aug.14) 
Director: Jared Hess [Napoleon Dynamite]

Owen Wilson and Zach Galifianakis steal 17 million and spend it. Okay.

11. Black Mass (Sep.18) 
Director: Scott Cooper [Crazy Heart]

Historical Irish mob film about the Bulgers with Depp and Cumberbatch.

12. The Walk (Oct.2) Director: Robert Zemeckis [Captain Phillips]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt tightropes between the Twin Towers. True story.

13. St. James Place (Oct.16) 
Director: Steven Spielberg [Saving Private Ryan]

A Tom Hanks spy film and look who’s involved. I’m definitely there.

14. Spectre (Nov.6) 
Director: Sam Mendes [Skyfall]

Daniel Craig’s James Bond takes on Spectre. Loved Craig’s stuff so far.

15. Mockingjay, Part II (Nov.20) 
Director: Francis Lawrence [Catching Fire]

Excited to see how they end this series. Hopefully better than the book.

16. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Dec.18) 
Director: JJ Abrams [Star Trek]

Some obscure film about space and religion and robots. Sure,why not?

17. Inferno (Dec.18) 
Director: Ron Howard [The Da Vinci Code]

Tom Hanks is back as Robert Langdon. I enjoyed the first two.

18. The Nest (Dec.18) 
Director: Jason Moore [Pitch Perfect]

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey as sisters. Better be better than Baby Mama.

19. Mission: Impossible V (Dec.25) 
Director: Chris McQuarrie [Jack Reacher]

Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt. I love this series (well except for #2).

20. Joy (Dec.25) 
Director: David O Russell [American Hustle]

Jennifer Lawrence and Russell are awesome together. Sign me up.

For those who like to plan ahead (way ahead)

Upcoming in 2016: Batman vs Superman; Captain America: Civil War; X-Man: Apocalypse; Finding Dory; Independence Day 2; Sinister Six; Avatar 2; Assassin’s Creed; Star Trek 3

Upcoming in 2017: Star Wars VIII; Guardians of the Galaxy 2; Toy Story 4; Justice League: Part 1; Despicable Me 3; Pirates of the Caribbean 5; Thor 3; Avatar 3

Upcoming in 2018: Amazing Spiderman 3; Lego Movie 2; Avengers: Infinity War, Part I; Lego Batman; Captain Marvel; Inhumans; Avatar 4