Incoherent Thoughts on Silver Linings Playbook

I'm fairly sure that Silver Linings Playbook is one of the hardest movies to write coherently about because it is so crazy and messy. Suffice to say, I've starting writing a review about it approximately 498530 times and I have literally nothing. So I thought I may as well just jot down the thoughts I have about this film in no particular order with no coherence, because that's a whole lot easier. And I'm sure the world doesn't need another review of the movie:

-It was totally predictable. That doesn't work against it, though. It is one of those rare occasions where everything turns out just fine at the end and it really does make you feel great inside, because that's what you've wanted all along. It would have been a little bit better had I not been eagerly anticipating the credits since I desperately needed to use the facilities, but still, it made me feel good.

-The acting is phenomenal. It is what makes this film a cut above other romantic comedies - if you choose to class this film as one of those.

AAN: Oscar predictions - Acting

Welcome to Part Four of my Oscar predictions, the big one that Annual Awards Nerdism for 2011 has been leading up to.


Key:
My Leo – The actor who I want to win
My Zuck – The actor who my predictions want to win
My Steve – The actor who will go home empty handed

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

James Franco lost an arm,
Jeff Bridges lost an eye,
Colin Firth lost his ability to speak,
Javier Bardem probably dies,
Jesse Eisenberg lost his friend,
As you see in the end,
All these men lost something,
But one of them is sure to gain,
A little reward for all their suffering and pain,
It probably won’t go to the Zuck,
Bardem, Bridges and Franco are all out of luck,
Colin Firth will be the one they choose,
As there simply ain’t a way for him to lose.

Last year, Colin Firth was nominated for his first time for his career defining, breathtaking performance in A Single Man. Jeff Bridges won the award, as he was ‘overdue’. This year, Bridges is nominated, but won’t win, because now Firth is nominated, and it would seem that he is ‘overdue’ thanks to what happened last year. Previous winner Javier Bardem doesn’t stand a chance, either.
If I had a vote, it would have to go with either Jesse Eisenberg or James Franco. I feel like Eisenberg won’t have another chance like this, because his performance in The Social Network was like one of those once off kinda deals. I would like Franco to win, simply because he was given a D for an acting class assignment because he was filming 127 Hours. It would be like the ultimate shame if he won (for the marker, that is). But he should worry about hosting the show more.

My Leo: Jesse Eisenberg
My Zuck: Colin Firth
My Steve: Javier Bardem

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

A grieving mother in Rabbit Hole,
Nicole Kidman had the Academy sold,
A crumbling marriage in Blue Valentine,
Michelle Williams’ NC-17 rated film nearly crossed the line,
A girl trying to find her father in Winter’s Bone,
Jennifer Lawrence rose above the films dark tone,
A lesbian meeting her baby daddy in The Kids Are All Right,
Annette Bening may put up the fair fight,
A prima ballerina and the new swan queen,
Probably more famous for that lesbian scene,
Natalie Portman will win for Black Swan,
Unless the voters sanity has gone.

I’ve heard a lot of people saying ‘Natalie Portman won’t win!’ this week. Where is this coming from? Not only has she won like every award, she has the most amazing performance out of the lot of them. The only reasons I can think of that will see her not winning are she’s either too young or an ‘overdue’ Annette Bening could win. I don’t want Annette Bening to win. Her character is just too bitchy.
Jennifer Lawrence is awesome in Winter’s Bone, so I can’t exactly write her off. Having not seen Blue Valentine or Rabbit Hole, I can’t really comment on Michelle Williams and Nicole Kidman being nominated. I respect them both as actresses, and I wish them well. If Natalie Portman doesn’t win? The voters have gone as insane as Nina.

My Leo: Natalie Portman
My Zuck: Natalie Portman
My Steve: Nicole Kidman

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Jeremy Renner got the sole nomination for The Town,
In Winter’s Bone John Hawkes liked to frown,
Mark Ruffalo donated sperm,
Geoffrey Rush’s voice techniques helped the King learn,
But did any of these actors lose lots of weight?
Christian Bale’s nomination has come a tad late,
There’s no way that he can’t win,
Even if this isn’t the best film he’s ever been in.

Yeah so, Christian Bale will win. The only competition he has is Geoffrey Rush, who won the BAFTA. But that can’t really taint his chances, surely?
I may have doubted John Hawkes before, but since seeing the film I thought he rocked. Though, I could have replaced him for an Andrew Garfield nomination. I haven’t seen The Town, but I’m glad that Jeremy Renner got another nomination for the second year in a row. He’s such a brilliant actor. Mark Ruffalo is awesome, too, but I’m more surprised that this is his first nomination. Maybe I overrate his brilliance, but the guy could be classed as ‘overdue’ too.
Christian Bale deserves it most, though.

My Leo: Christian Bale
My Zuck: Christian Bale
My Steve: Jeremy Renner

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

I’m Team Jacki Weaver, all the way,
But an Amy Adams win shouldn’t be far away?
Helena Bonham Carter is an amazing royal,
Melissa Leo plays a mum tough and loyal,
Hailee Steinfeld is cute and sweet,
Even though she plays the lead,
But who could win, I don’t know?
Melissa Leo will probably steal the show,
Unless the photo controversy hurts her odds,
So, Academy...you know I love you lots,
Leo and Carter are good, but don’t pick either,
Go for the underdog, JACKI WEAVER!

It’s the same everywhere. Anyone who has seen Animal Kingdom will agree that Jacki Weaver delivers the best performance out of all of these lovely ladies, but the size of the project and perhaps the country it hails from hurts her chances. My next choice would have to be Amy Adams. She has been nominated three times, in this very category, without any luck. With this being her best performance, surely they would give her the gong? Well, I hope they do. But her costar Melissa Leo will get it, as she has got everything else, unless her self-advertising controversy stalls her.
Hailee Steinfeld is becoming a likelier choice by the day. The problem is, she is essentially the lead role, so she should have been nominated there, and it just won’t seem fair if she wins. Helena Bonham Carter is also likely, after her BAFTA win. She could have the ‘overdue’ cloud hanging over her, which could get her the votes that Melissa Leo lost. Maybe I just don’t want Leo to win.

My Leo: Jacki Weaver
My Zuck: Melissa Leo
My Steve: Jacki Weaver

There's todays lot...the second time I've written it (stupid Blogger deleting it all as soon as I published it). Tomorrow I will rank the Best Pic nominees. See you then!

Top 10 actors and actresses who got their breakthrough in 2010

Looking back on 2010, we have seen lots of new faces shine through and out perform some of their older peers. Also, I have managed to get myself some new favourite actors during the year. Even though they have been in plenty of movies up until now, there has always been one which makes them a household name. And that's what they deserve.

10. Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara probably became more famous this year due to her casting as Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's 2012 edition of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. While Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan and other more well known actresses were in the running, Mara, whose previous claim to fame was the horrible remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, managed to beat them all to a coveted role which is sure to make her an international star. It wasn't just that, though. Mara appeared in three scenes of The Social Network, and managed to make sure those scenes counted. With a lack of girls in that movie, she sure knew how to rattleout Aaron Sorkin's words better than the rest, and deserves props for making the opening scene what it was.

9. Mia Wasikowska

While many people hated Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland, there was no denying that the girl playing Alice, Australian actress Mia Wasikowska, was sweet and angelic, and one to watch in the future. Alice wasn't her mainstream debut, as she had previously starred in films like Defiance, but being one of the highest grossing films of the year, it sure made her known. Add in a star turn in comedy The Kid's Are All Right, and Wasikowska is the next big thing. Next year she is only furthering her talents by starring in another adaption of Charlotte Bronte's classic book Jane Eyre. Two adaptions of classic books...I smell success here, yes?

8. Aaron Johnson

Many may ponder my next choice, because he is more known as a teenage heart-throb, but hear me out. Aaron Johnson was once the boy of every British girls dreams, thanks to his role as 'Sex-God' Robbie in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. In 2010, however, he started the year with a role in Sam Taylor-Wood's John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, playing the singer in his early years. While watching this film, I forgot about the teen idol he used to be, and started focussing on the actor he is becoming. Also early in the year, he took the lead role in Kick-Ass, and managed to play the awkward nerd surprisingly well considering he is the complete opposite of that character. So do us all a favour and give Johnson some more roles, as he is more than just the cute British guy we all used to perceive him as.

7. Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence deserves a place on here because she is going all the way to an Oscar nomination for her turn in Winter's Bone, despite being just 20 years old. Leading up until her breakthrough in Winter's Bone, she starred in several direct-to-DVD releases like The Poker House, and also has a recurring role in The Bill Engvall Show. But her sole release for 2010 has been getting rave reviews from critics mainly because of her performance, which should give Natalie Portman a run for her money come Oscar time. And it doesn't look like Lawrence is going to be a one-movie wonder...she's got The Beaver and X-Men: First Class for 2011!

6. Gemma Arterton

I couldn't help but put Gemma Arterton on this list because she has been popping up everywhere lately. Even though she starred in 2008's Quantum of Solace, which got her some attention, it has really been this year which has made her a star. Not only did she star in two big blockbusters this year-Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time-but she alo found time to do three other projects. First, a sequel to her debut film, St. Trinians 2 & the Legend of Fritton's Gold. Second, an independent British thriller, The Disappearance of Alice Creed, which is probably the best she has starred in this year. And finally, a Stephen Frears British comedy, Tamara Drewe, based on the graphic novel by Posy Simmonds. One would say it has been a big year for Arterton, and we can expect much more from her in the future!

5. Tom Hardy

Anyone who has watched Inception could say that Tom Hardy was the stand out in the cast. Why? Because of his carefully timed and sarcastic sense of humour that would steal scenes off his fellow performers. Plus, he got the best lines. "You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling" is quickly associated with this masterpiece, and that's all thanks to Hardy's quick improvisation. Throw in a DVD release of Hardy's starring role in Bronson for the year, and it's fair to say that he has made his mark in showbiz. Not to mention the fact that he has been given a role in Christopher Nolan's next masterpiece, The Dark Knight Rises. Who will he play? Anything will be good.



4. Jacki Weaver

In a list full of the young, it's only fair that we put at least one older actor in here. Having a breakthrough a little further on than most is a little hard, but Jacki Weaver got her turn in the spotlight this year with her stunning performance in Australian crime drama Animal Kingdom. Easily outshining the rest of the films great ensemble cast, Weaver played Smurf with a great amount of both good and bad; she cared about her children, but she wasn't willing to let go of this criminal thing they had set up. She has been receiving accolade upon accolade for her performance, and here's hoping she can make it all the way to the Oscars. Because, goodness knows, it's time an Australian got an award for playing an Australian.

3. Emma Stone

As I have said plenty of times before, Emma Stone has always been the best part of bad movies, and hasn't seemed to get enough credit for it. But finally, someone had the sense to cast her in the lead role of a great teen comedy, Easy A, and look what happened? A star was born, and now everyone loves her. Because it's hard not to fall for her charm and witty humour. And what could be better than a whole movie with her in the lead role? I don't know. All I know is that there should be more movies like Easy A, because she is a better actress to get obsessed with than Kristen Stewart.

2. Jesse Eisenberg

Yeah yeah, Jesse has been in Zombieland which was pretty big. But everyone thinks he is Michael Cera in that movie! The Social Network should prove all those non-believers wrong. Delivering what could have been the performance of the year, Eisenberg seemed to shrug off the awkward persona he gained from movies like Adventureland and became more narcissistic and scary as Mark Zuckerberg. Now tell me that wasn't the star making performance of the year? It's hard to believe that was the same person. Could he win an Oscar? If he can beat Colin Firth. Which is, in fact, very likely indeed.



1. Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield deserves the top of my list because he just is Andrew Garfield. I'm in love with him. Of course, that comes from his star making performance as Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network, for which he has been nominated for a Golden Globe and has won an 'Actor of the Year' award for a breakthrough performance from the Hollywood Film Festival. Leading up to this star role he had already won a BAFTA for his performance in TV film Boy A; had starred in such Hollywood films as The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Lions for Lambs; and gained mass critical attention for his work in The Red Riding Trilogy. Everything he does has had the critics raving him, including his other 2010 release, Never Let Me Go. And it seems it will only get better as he nabbed the leading role in the Spiderman reboot. Is he taking the world by storm? Yes. Do I mind? Not one bit.

DVD--Animal Kingdom

or: Kids and crime.

One word to sum it up: Gritty.

Imagine my delight when I found a copy of Animal Kingdom in the preview drawer. Here is a movie which I hadn't heard of until seeing a glowing five star review in an issue of Empire, and had wanted to see ever since. It had a small release here in NZ, mainly circulating through the New Zealand Film Festival, but I'm pretty sure it's still playing at many independent cinemas across the country (I'm not sure when it's out on DVD here, but I'll just say that this is a DVD review anyway). Again, Australia proves why it is the best at making compelling family dramas, adding a fantastic crime vibe which David Michod should be proud of.

After Joshua 'J' Cody's (Jame Frecheville) mother dies in front of his eyes from a self-inflicted heroin overdose, J, who is slightly detached from life, feels he has no choice but to contact his maternal grandmother, Janine "Smurf" Cody (Jacki Weaver), the family matriarch, for a place to live. Smurf rules the family with a borderline incestuous love over her three sons, the quietly menacing Andrew "Pope" Cody (Ben Mendelsohn), the hyperactive Craig Cody (Sullivan Stapleton), and the barely of age Darren Cody (Luke Ford). Pope and his best friend, Barry "Baz" Brown (Joel Edgerton), are armed robbers, with Darren their up and coming apprentice, while Craig is a mid level drug dealer. Melbourne's Armed Robbery Squad is after specifically Pope, who is hiding out. But when the standoff between the Codys and the Armed Robbery Squad is brought up a notch, an all out war ensues, with some casualties and J caught in the middle. The only grounding in J's life is his girlfriend, Nicky Henry (Laura Wheelwright). With those casualties comes an investigation by Homicide Detective Senior Sergeant Nathan Leckie (Guy Pearce), who knows the Codys are involved in some of those deaths. As Leckie tries to get J on his side, J has to figure out how best to get himself out from the middle, where he trusts neither side. J also wants to figure out how to exact what he considers justice in an all around bad situation.

The Cody's have just become the most interesting crime family to grace our screens in a long time. This family is blessed by fantastic actors who give powerhouse performances filled with aggression and barely any emotional stability. It doesn't feel like a film when you are watching it, as you are instantly drawn into to it's frighteningly realistic world. Animal Kingdom is not the kind of coming-of-age film you'd expect; however, James Frecheville's great debut performance as J pretty much epitomizes how hard it can be growing up, especially when you are surrounded by crims.

While it may look like an average crime genre violent frenzy riot, it's not. Animal Kingdom chooses not to be glorifyingly violent and packs a punch in ways we can all relate to. It asks the viewer how they would feel if they were J: having to choose between right or wrong and having to live with crims who are unpredictable at the best of times. Jacki Weaver, perhaps, has the best part of the movie, playing the strange matriarch who I couldn't quite wrap my head around, but I think that's what her point was. She deserves as many accolades as possible, she really is the pearl of the film. Animal Kingdom is a film which isn't to be missed, and is to be seen twice. David Michod is onto something big here.


THE VERDICT: David Michod crafts a superbly written and directed film, made even better by it's fearless performances that should be seen to be believed.

8/10