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Movie Talk with Greg Malmborg

An Entertainment Column

OSCAR SPECIAL

Welcome to Movie Talk, my bi-weekly column here at www.moviefreak.com. I want to thank all of you again who took the time to e-mail me your thoughts, comments, and ideas. I also want to encourage more of you to e-mail me at gregm99@hotmail.com with any comments on the topics I discuss or any ideas for the column. And as I said before, I will post some reader comments when I feel it is appropriate and I will run contests from time to time (no prizes, just recognition).

Oscar Talk

Well, the nominations are out and there were some nice surprises and some big snubs. But, basically, they played out the way I had expected them to and hoped for (for the most part). The best surprises were the lack of nominations for Cold Mountain, as I have been saying all along this is not a great movie and I had hoped the Academy would wise to it (which they obviously did). Although, I still can’t believe Renee Zellweger was still nominated for it. At least Jude Law gave a good performance (not truly Oscar-worthy, but good), Zellweger was just horrible and I can’t fathom how she got nominated. Am I the only person out there who thinks she’s extremely overrated? Another great surprise was Keisha Castle-Hughes getting a Best Actress nomination from Whale Rider. I’ve been praising that performance all year, but I figured she’d lose out because she’s too young and there were many strong Best Actress candidates this year. That was a great choice by the Academy. Another great surprise (not too much of a surprise to me) was the Best Supporting Actor nomination for Djimon Hounsou for In America. That was such a wonderfully inspired and moving performance; the overall enchantment of the film rests on the strength of that performance. I was just hoping that the film itself would be nominated over Lost in Translation, which didn’t happen but with Hounsou, Samantha Morton, and the screenplay getting nods it was still successful.

The biggest snub was probably Jennifer Connelly for Best Actress in The House of Sand and Fog. She gave the best performance of her career, even better than her Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind performance. She is one of the most dependable and solid actresses working today. Another big snub was Russell Crowe for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and Tom Cruise for The Last Samurai, both big stars missing out on a nomination (that basically went to Jude Law). A lot of people expected Crowe to be nominated, and even though he was great as Captain Jack Aubrey, I feel like he’s been stronger in a few other roles and sometimes you need to spread the wealth. And yet Cruise gave the performance of his career, and I thought he was going to be rewarded for that. Comparing Jude Law’s performance to Cruise’s, I think Cruise got robbed of a deserving nomination. Not taking anything away from Jude law, but Cruise obviously put all he had into that role and it just jumped off the screen.

I’m going to dig into each of the big categories and discuss the nominations (including my prediction of the winner come Feb. 29):

BEST PICTURE

- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

- Lost in Translation

- Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

- Mystic River

- Seabiscuit

The Academy almost got it right. With the exception of Lost in Translation, these were four great choices for the best films of the year. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King was a lock to get nominated before it even came out, and since it turned out to be the most emotional, thrilling, and most heartfelt film in the trilogy it is definitely the front runner to win Best Picture. Is it worthy of a Best Picture win? Absolutely. Is it the best film this year? Not in my opinion, although it is very, very close. The best film of the year in my opinion was Mystic River. A classic drama that will live on as one of the best ever made, with perhaps the best ensemble acting in a decade and one of the best single performances in film history. It is truly the acting that makes Mystic River such a masterpiece and I think for that reason it has a chance at making the big upset and winning Best Picture.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was a wonderful film with such amazing detail, fine acting, and truly memorable scenes. The only thing it lacked was a powerhouse ending that most Best Picture winners have. This was a finely directed film that has an outside chance at winning it all. It had the second most nominations for the year. The dark horse (!) picture is Seabiscuit, which after watching for the fourth time the other night is simply a magical film with truly great acting (the whole cast is great, and Chris Cooper got robbed of a nomination), wonderful direction, and more heart than any of the other pictures. The emotion in it rings true and it affects you in such a positive way, this is a film that could pull off a huge upset come Oscar night (you may want to place your money on this horse).

And then there is Lost in Translation. A finely directed, well-written, yet slight film about connection and mid-life crisis, with one great performance from Bill Murray. The film is a mix between Murray slapstick (mostly him ripping on the Japanese) and this strange, awkward relationship brewing between him and a far, younger woman (Scarlett Johansson). Lost in Translation is a good film but three other films (In America, Big Fish, or Open Range) should have been in there before it.

PREDICTED WINNER – Mystic River

BEST ACTOR

- Sean Penn in Mystic River

- Ben Kingsley in The House of Sand and Fog

- Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean

- Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

- Jude Law in Cold Mountain

This is a very strong group of nominees in this category. The performances were of all different types and were all deserving. Ben Kingsley was absolutely riveting in The House of Sand and Fog; he delivered a devastatingly emotional performance with an absolute powerhouse climatic scene (which the Academy loves). I would not be surprised to see him walk off with the statue. Johnny Depp’s nomination was a great choice by the Academy, rarely do they reward comedic roles and it is even more rare when the nomination is for such an offbeat, quirky comedic role. But the fact is, Pirates was the surprising monster hit movie of the year and the sole reason for its success is the absolutely brilliant Johnny Depp. He takes chances with every role he’s given and can make any character into an icon.

Surprisingly enough, two comedic performances were nominated this year. Bill Murray is just hilarious in Lost in Translation; he generates huge laughs just by his slight expressions. And best of all, his performance is an emotionally layered comedic performance with poignancy and truth. And this is why a lot of people believe Murray will win the Oscar. Jude Law is by far the weakest of the bunch, but I’m not saying his performance isn’t a good one. In fact, he gives an intensely dramatic performance in an almost speechless role. But compared to the rest of the competition in this category, his nomination is his reward.

And then there is Sean Penn, who gives (in my mind) the best performance of the year and quite possibly the best performance in a drama in 25 years. I know, I know, huge statement. But I truly felt moved and awed by his performance, like nothing I’ve ever seen or felt before. If he doesn’t win, then there is something seriously amiss. No other actor has touched those emotional depths before and no other actor could have pulled it off so brilliantly.

PREDICTED WINNER – Sean Penn in Mystic River

BEST ACTRESS

- Keisha Castle-Hughes in Whale Rider

- Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give

- Samantha Morton in In America

- Charlize Theron in Monster

- Naomi Watts in 21 Grams

There were two big surprises in this category, those being Keisha Castle-Hughes and Samantha Morton. Castle-Hughes gave one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a child, with so much depth and vulnerability. This was a great surprise. Morton also gave a great performance in one of my favorite films of the year. Her performance almost seems to slight at first but after seeing the film a second time, it is a tremendously luminous and emotional performance. Diane Keaton was no surprise; she was a lock to get a nomination for her gutsy, winning performance as the older, romantic lead in a very funny and sweet film.

I think this category really comes down to two performances, Naomi Watts and Charlize Theron. Both women gave startling performances showing extraordinary range and serious depth. Both women hid their beauty and deglamorized themselves in order for their performances to breath. But Theron definitely has the edge here and I would be completely surprised if she did not take home the Oscar. Theron is just amazing, a complete transformation both physically and, most importantly, internally. This is a lock.

PREDICTED WINNER – Charlize Theron in Monster

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

- Alec Baldwin in The Cooler

- Benicio Del Toro in 21 Grams

- Djimon Hounsou in In America

- Tim Robbins in Mystic River

- Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai

This is another very strong bunch of nominees; each has a solid chance of winning. Alec Baldwin was ruthlessly vicious and steely in The Cooler, giving one of his best performances of his career. Yet I think the nomination is his reward. Djimon Hounsou gave an enchanting, powerful performance as the heart and glue of one of the most emotional and touching films of the year. His nomination was a surprise but I think a win isn’t out of the question. Ken Watanabe gave an iconic, powerhouse performance and managed to outweigh the best performance of Tom Cruise’s career.

But I think this category comes down to two performers, Tim Robbins and Benicio Del Toro. Del Toro was nothing short of mesmerizing as the tortured soul of the amazing 21 Grams. This performance was just as great as his Oscar-winning Traffic performance, so I believe he has a great chance at walking away with the Oscar again. And yet the best supporting performance of the year came from Tim Robbins who should be the one to win the Oscar for his heart-wrenching and incredible performance in Mystic River. Most of the attention of Mystic River is towards Sean Penn (and rightfully so) but do not take this performance lightly. This performance will go down as one of the best to ever win in the supporting category, mark my words.

PREDICTED WINNER – Tim Robbins in Mystic River

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

- Shohreh Aghdashloo in The House of Sand and Fog

- Patricia Clarkson in Pieces of April

- Marcia Gay Harden in Mystic River

- Holly Hunter in Thirteen

- Renee Zellweger in Cold Mountain

This is probably the toughest category to call at this point. All of the nominees have an outside shot at it and I don’t think there is a clear favorite. Many people have said Renee Zellweger is the favorite, and this I just can’t believe. Did I miss something? Did I not see the same movie as everyone else? Did I not see this atrociously overdone, grating and almost embarrassing performance in a theater like everyone else? I would be flat-out floored if she wins and embarrassed for the Academy.

Holly Hunter, on the other hand, gave a great, heart-wrenching performance as a parent losing her innocent teenager. The only negative she has against her is that there was a better performance in that film, from Evan Rachel Wood who should have been nominated this year. I did not see Pieces of April so I won’t comment on Patricia Clarkson except for the fact that most of the buzz is that the nomination is her award. Shohreh Aghdashloo was brilliant in a unique and deep performance in a haunting film. She has almost no dialogue yet her performance speaks volumes, her desperation and fear just seeps out of her eyes and facial expressions. I think this category will go to either her or Marcia Gay Harden. Harden gives such a devastating performance, it is remembered far after you’ve left the theater. It is her realization at the end that delivers the last blow. This is a close one, and I’m going with Shohreh Aghdashloo for her quietly heart-wrenching performance.

PREDICTED WINNER – Shohreh Aghdashloo in The House of Sand and Fog

BEST DIRECTOR

- Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

- Clint Eastwood for Mystic River

- Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation

- Peter Weir for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

- Fernando Meirelles for City of God

Another strong list of nominees, with five great films (each masterfully directed). But I think there are two tiers here. One tier includes Coppola, Meirelles, and Weir and the other tier is Jackson and Eastwood. The first tier has three great films and the other tier has two masterpieces. The Best Director winner will come from one of the two masterpieces, and I believe the Academy will reward Peter Jackson for the phenomenal work he has done with this amazing trilogy. The whole trilogy’s strength comes from Jackson, it is his attention to detail, work with the actors, and his extreme passion for The Lord of the Rings books that makes this the best fantasy trilogy of all time. On the other hand, Mystic River’s true strength is the absolutely amazing performances, which relied upon the strong direction of Clint Eastwood. Without Eastwood’s unique directing style, this film would never have been so amazingly memorable. So this is a very close race, but I’m going with Peter Jackson. The Academy will reward him for this amazing trilogy.

PREDICTED WINNER – Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

- Brother Bear

- Finding Nemo

- The Triplets of Belleville

This isn’t even close; Finding Nemo will win hands down. In fact, if Disney/Pixar had of pushed a bit harder for it, I think it could have garnered a Best Picture nomination. It was that good. The best computer animated film of all time.

PREDICTED WINNER – Finding Nemo

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

- American Splendor

- City of God

- The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

- Mystic River

- Seabiscuit

If this category is based upon the originality of the adaptation then American Splendor should win easily. But if this category means the best film version of a book then it comes down to Mystic River or The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. With its unflinching realism and heart-wrenching drama, Mystic River is my choice here. Some of the dialogue in The Lord of the Rings is cringe-worthy. The amazing dialogue of Mystic River rings true.

PREDICTED WINNER – Mystic River

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

- The Barbarian Invasions

- Dirty Pretty Things

- Finding Nemo

- In America

- Lost in Translation

The most emotional, heartfelt and original screenplay of the bunch is the In America screenplay. The other nominees all have their strong points but In America is my favorite here.

PREDICTED WINNER – In America

So there it is, my brief Oscar breakdown. We’ll see how it all shakes out come Sunday night. The ones you can bank on are Charlize Theron, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Peter Jackson. Mark my words.

Film Quickies at the Movie Theater

Miracle

Moving, exciting and solidly acted film with some of the best hockey ever caught on film. But even if you aren’t a hockey fan, it’s almost impossible not to connect with this underdog story and find yourself rooting for the US team to take down the Russian giant. This is one of those movies you actually want to stand up and cheer at. Kurt Russell gives another tremendous performance as the coach that brings this team together and makes them believe in each other. I’m starting to think that Kurt Russell is one of the most underrated actors around, his performance in Dark Blue last year should have been talked about with this years contenders and this performance should be talked about come next years’ award season. He is that good. Director Gavin O’Conner obviously knows how to make a great sports movie (he directed the masterful The Rookie) and this is no exception. This is a film that is almost impossible to dislike and for sports fans it doesn’t get much better. Inspirational and uplifting, you’ll leave the theater on a high.

My Rating – 4 stars out of 5

Along Came Polly

A hit-and-miss comedy that is lighthearted and fun but also recycles a lot from other comedies and misses a bit too often. Ben Stiller is in his Meet the Parents/There’s Something About Mary mode here, which is not necessarily a bad thing (Meet the Parents is one of the best comedies in the last decade) but his routine is growing a bit old. I just felt like I was seeing this for the third time instead of feeling excitement at the new and original laughs to come. Jennifer Aniston delivers another routine performance (she has huge potential but needs the right script like The Good Girl). The best thing about this movie is Phillip Seymour Hoffman who is basically the comic relief through the whole thing. His antics on the basketball court and his all-out rude and crude behavior are the savior of this film. The story is also pretty routine, yet sweet and romantic. This is by no means a bad film, just not very original and not the hilarious film it could have been.

My Rating – 2 ½ stars out of 5

Film Quickies at the Video Store

Intolerable Cruelty – I missed this when it hit theaters and I was looking forward to it coming out on video because I love the Coen brothers’ films. Well, the title says it all. I was just shocked at what a bad film this was. I laughed maybe three times, smiled maybe twice, and the rest of the time just sat there in disbelief at this mess. I’ll let it go since this is only one bad film in a whole bunch of great ones for the Coen’s. We’ll just have to wait and see for The Ladykillers to arrive on March 26.

My Rating – 1 star out of 5

In the Cut – Just an absolutely horrendous film, from the first cut to the last. I laughed a lot more at this one than Intolerable Cruelty and this one was supposed to be a drama. Meg Ryan is just awful in dramatic roles and this is her career worst. “Oh, look at me I’m naked in this, which should get me noticed as a serious actress now”! Uh, sorry Meg.

My Rating – 0 stars out of 5

My recommendation for today:

Unforgiven – Since I’m thinking Clint Eastwood’s film will be a big winner come Sunday night, I figured I’d give his other masterpiece another look. This is such an amazing film, as I’m sure most of you know and have seen. Do yourself a favor and rent it again. This is a masterpiece that will live on, and Mystic River will join it in that company.