Moovies 2013

February 14, 2013

The Milkman’s Son

By Tracy C. Baker

Moovies 2013 #155

One score – less 3 – years ago, our Milkman’s Son brought forth on this continent a new rant, conceived in snarkyness, and dedicated to the proposition that all movies are NOT created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether "Lincoln” can long endure; or shall “Argo” or the foreign enemy “Amour” win out. We are met on a great battlefield of that war...the Kodak Theater.  It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

And that we here highly resolve that the losers shall not have lost in vain—that these Movies, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom— and that download and DVD release of the movie, by the movie, for the movie, shall not allow it to perish from the earth.

Yep, you guessed it. It is time once again for the 17^th annual…

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY…(or the Kodak Theater, whichever comes first)

Best Picture

Argo

Amour

Django Unchained

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

Life of Pi

Les Miserables

Beasts of the Southern Wild

I can’t believe it, but we have seen most of the nominees this year – sans Amour, the French film, Silver Linings Playbook (we may get to that soon), and Django Unchained.  That said, I am going all the way back to the second film on the list we saw:  Argo.  That film got a little lost in the shuffle of December releases, but I must say, we were quite impressed throughout.  And, when it began winning many awards, it popped back up to the top of many critics’ lists.

Lincoln was a good picture, but it really is Day-Lewis’ film.  We enjoyed Les Miserables, but I don’t think the Academy members will go for a musical this year.  Life of Pi is visually stunning and if you read the book, you will probably enjoy it.  “Beasts of the Southern Wild” isn’t for everyone (lots of metaphor) and Zero Dark Thirty is very well done, but a little too long.

My choice is Argo, even though the Academy snubbed Ben Affleck for director.

Leading Actor

Bradley Cooper

Joaquin Phoenix

Daniel Day-Lewis

Hugh Jackman

Denzel Washington

This is easily Daniel Day-Lewis’ to lose.  While there were strong performances throughout, I cannot see the Academy going against every critic’s choice and other award choices.  And I think it deserves it.

Leading Actress

Jessica Chastain

Naomi Watts

Jennifer Lawrence

Quvenzhané Wallis

Emmanuelle Riva

Once again this year, Best Actress is one of the toughest categories to predict.  Frankly, from the performances I have seen, I think Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) deserves it.  However, the buzz is centering on Riva for “Amour” or Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook.”  I don’t think the Academy will go for Quvenzhane Wallis – she was only five at the time it was filmed.  She really was fantastic, though, and could have won Best Supporting if nominated there.

Predictions?  I would guess that Emmanuelle Riva will take it, but wouldn’t be surprised to see Jennifer Lawrence.  Of course, Jessica Chastain may be a surprise choice.

Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin

Robert De Niro

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Tommy Lee Jones

Christoph Waltz

This is another tough one to predict.  I would either go with Alan Arkin or Robert De Niro though.  As one of the critics has said, all the nominees are previous winners, so it may come down who the voters like most.  I really enjoyed Arkin in his role.

My choice? Robert De Niro

Supporting Actress

Jacki Weaver

Amy Adams

Sally Field

Anne Hathaway

Helen Hunt

Anne Hathaway…hands down.  If anyone else on the list takes this, and you chose them, you will win the Oscar pool for sure.

Director

Michael Haneke (Amour)

Benh Zeitlin (Beast of the Southern Wild)

Ang Lee (Life of Pi)

Steven Spielberg (Lincoln)

David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)

Steven Spielberg will probably win this. Just to hedge my bet, though, Ben Zeitlin and Ang Lee may be dark horses.

Documentary

"5 Broken Cameras"
"The Gatekeepers"
"How to Survive a Plague"
"The Invisible War"

“Searching for Sugarman”

I have only seen one of these films and it was fantastic.  5 Broken Cameras is out on DVD and I recommend it.  However, the buzz is around another one on DVD – Searching for Sugarman.  I predict Searching for Sugarman will win, but it could be another on my list of “want to see” – How to Survive a Plague.

Foreign Film

I haven’t seen a single one of these this year and that is unusual.  We usually catch one either in the theater or on DVD.  Amour will win this hands down.

Cinematography

If Life of Pi doesn’t win in this category, I will want to know why.  It really was the most visually stunning film I have seen in a long, long time.

Well, that should be a good start.  Turn off your cell phones, keep your hands and arms inside the car at all times, and remember NO FLASH PICTURES PLEASE!

Enjoy the show.

Fini

Tracy