AAN: Predicting the Screen Actors Guild Awards with Silva, David and Joe

Coming up tomorrow we have the Screen Actors Guild awards, which in this rather interesting awards season where there's no clear winners for a whole lot of big categories (well, I don't think there is, but then again, I still haven't seen all that much), and these awards probably won't provide much more clarity, just more options. Before I can get into the predictions, here's a refresher on what Silva, David and Joe represent:

Sparkling Silva - Who I'd ideally like to win.

'Overjoyed' David - Who I'm predicting to win.

Loopy Looper - The long shot.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:
Argo / The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel / Les Miserables / Lincoln / Silver Linings Playbook
This is a tough category, as they're all great ensemble films in very different ways. I think it'll be a race between Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook, but I think that Silver Linings Playbook will be given the edge, especially considering it now has Oscar nominations in every acting category. However, Lincoln has nominations in all of the acting categories apart from Best Actress. It would be cool if The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel won, coz that has the ensemble cast of all ensemble casts, but Les Miserables has some strong performances across the board. Argo could be a surprise winner.

Cinema - Captain America: The First Avenger

Just like I did with Thor a few months back, I went into Captain America: The First Avenger without knowing much at all. Okay, so I saw the trailer a few times (as it was always attached to most of the movies I have seen at the cinemas this year), I knew that it was a part of The Avengers, and I also knew that it starred Chris Evans, who was my favourite evil ex in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Other than that, I didn't really know much about the character or anything. In fact, the only reason I went to see this is because it was an excuse to get out of Dannevirke these school holidays, and since I saw Thor in cinemas as well I thought 'why not?' The good thing is, this wasn't a shabby visit to the movies, that's for sure.

This must be the greatest story for those who are bullied. Our main character, Steve Rogers (Evans) is a bit smaller than the average male, and because of all his health problems and minuscule stature, no one wants to let him enlist in the army to kill some Nazis. Poor Steve is always beaten up and such, but he always fights back because he believes he has to fight for his right, which usually gets him trouble. He meets Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci), who miraculously lets him finally enlist in the army, and now Steve is well on the road to becoming a soldier. But you know what would make this weak boy even better? Dr. Erskine has a serum that will make him taller, faster and stronger...basically a super human. Now he's Captain America, and has the mission of trying to take down evil Nazi research department HYDRA, which just so happens to be run by Johann Schmidt, better known as Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Oh, and let's not forget that this is a superhero movie, therefore there has to be a love interest, who comes in the form of Agent Carter (Hayley Atwell).

Now when I went to see Captain America, or any other movie of it's kind (in the cinema), I usually just try and have a good time. I really liked the film, but I do have to admit that it was nothing special. First of all, I felt like this movie could have been a lot more badass. As I said, I don't really know that much about the character Captain America, but I felt like he could have been a better brand of badassery. In saying that, he was a genuinely nice character, never wasting his new found powers and always knowing the meaning of fighting back. He makes for an interesting superhero, with his ultra fast healing times and whatnot. But the problem is the fact that he is invincible. He can't even get drunk. He's so bloody nice it hurts. Where Thor and Tony Stark have their arrogance, Steve Rogers has his niceness. The only thing that could count as a flaw is the fact that he is a little on the weak side, but that pretty much disappears once he undergoes that big transformation. The big transformation not only ends the flaws of Steve, but it also ends Stanley Tucci. Which really pissed me off. How dare he leave so early?

Anyway, aside from Captain America's perfection, I still found the character's actions pretty interesting. Especially because of the way he was used as propaganda for the US army. The 'Star-Spangled Man' sequence was a particular highlight of the film, mainly because it was done the old-fashioned way. This film really excels with it's 1940's setting. Like X-Men: First Class, this film dedicates itself to the time period it is supposed to be in, incorporating history into it. The way it is made is very old-fashioned, as if it were made in the 1940's, just with better technology. Even with that better technology, director Joe Johnston opts not to overload the film with CGI, which is a huge relief. The villainous Red Skull looks believable rather than over powered by computer graphics. The fight scenes all manage to look very realistic, instead of trying ever so hard to look good for the 3D audiences. But the best thing that the CGI does, which you actually can't even tell is CGI really, is the appearance of Chris Evans before he becomes a beast. We all know that he doesn't actually look as small as that, but the effects used will have you believe that he did once.

Performance wise, this film is very strong. Evans did a brilliant job in his role, I thought, even though there was definitely room for improvement in the character. Another thing I didn't like was the relationship between his character and Agent Carter. It was all very nice, but they didn't seem right for each other at all. In saying that, Hayley Atwell, one of the brightest young talents around, was really good in her no-nonsense role. Tommy Lee Jones is a hero of deadpan humour in this flick, definitely getting the most laughs. Sebastian Stan, who seems to be in everything I watch these days, makes for a nice, if a little dull sidekick. One person I could have done with more of, though, was Dominic Cooper as Tony Stark's daddy, Howard. Once I got over the fact that he could actually speak in a good American accent, I kept wanting to see his cocky character show up...which didn't happen an awful lot. But usually the star of the show in a superhero flick is usually the villain, and when the villain is played by Hugo Weaving, it's a double win. He's kinda scary with his Hitler-esque dreams and appearance. One thing I did have to laugh at was the whole "Heil HYDRA!" business. That was so silly it was funny.

A lot of people have compared this to Thor, mainly because they're the last installments in the longest trailer ever for The Avengers. I think I enjoyed Captain America a little more, but I do have to admit this was quite simple compared to Thor. There wasn't any father/son conflict, nor was the main character put through a significant emotional change. But people probably should stop comparing the two. They both stand up well as their own films, especially considering that they are just small features before the big presentation. I do have to say that now Captain America has come along and it was a damn good film, my expectations for The Avengers have sky-rocketed.

THE VERDICT: Captain America: The First Avenger has style and class in it's setting, an adequate use of CGI and some solid performances. Yes, you better be ready for The Avengers.

What I hoped for:

What I got:

A Conversation with No Country for Old Men

You know the drill. I transform myself into a movie, and get interviewed by a guy who is named after my imaginary cat. Tonight I shall be No Country for Old Men, the 2007 Best Picture winner from the Coen Brothers which I finally got around to watching from start to end.

Before we begin - while we're on the subject of conversations, a conversation I had with fellow blogger Max made it on to Anomalous Material. This is the first of a new feature over at that awesome website!

C: I am here in the middle of nowhere with No Country for Old Men, an Academy Award winning feature.
N: Indeed I am an Academy Award winning feature. Hang on, did I say you could sit?

C: No, but you strike me as a man who wouldn't want to waste his chair.
N: It's not often you see a Mexican in a suit.

C: I'm not a Mexican...uh, okay, explain yourself...
N: I'm based on a very famous novel by Cormac McCarthy, which was adapted for the screen by the Coen Brothers, who happen to be very famous themselves. They made Fargo, The Big Lebowski, and that remake True Grit which was nominated for 10 Oscars but it did not win any of them. Ha, I laugh at it's misfortune.

C: Well, you yourself were only nominated for 8.

N: But I won 4! Including Best Picture. That meek little western couldn't even beat a movie about a guy who can't talk properly. Me? I beat that World War II love story, that one with the pregnant teenager that I could not understand as they talked funny, that one with George Clooney in it, and that one about the milkshake drinker. The secret to my success? Anton Chigurh killed them all.

C:  So you're saying that True Grit is simply inferior because it does not have Anton Chigurh?
N: Does Mattie Ross have a cattle gun? No. Does Rooster Cogburn have a bad haircut? No.

C: Basically, you think you are the best movie from the Coens.
N: One would assume so, yes.

C: Anyway, you did not explain yourself fully. I want plot details.
N: Well, some dumb-ass by the name of Llewelyn Moss comes across the remains of a drug deal gone wrong, where he also discovers $2 million. And what does a dumb-ass do when he comes across a stack of money? He takes it. That dumb-ass shouldn't have done that. Coz now Anton Chigurh, the most evil hitman with the most evil haircut ever, is after him. He won't stop until he gets that money back, even if that means killing everyone who comes into contact with him. Anton is a force that cannot be contained, not even by the law, which includes Ed Bell, who bitterly oversees these murders happening.

C: Sounds very intense.
N: Oh believe me, I'm one gritty, graphic and gripping movie.

C: Being a movie from the Coen Brothers, do you have a lot of wit like all of the others?

N: I'm your traditional Coens movie. Lots of witty dialogue, plenty of great characters, scenes that have been directed the hell out of, and, of course, beautiful cinematography by Roger Deakins. It must be worth mentioning that there is hardly any music in me, which is pretty darn odd for a thriller, yet I'm still completely engaging. I'm a rough and tough Coens masterpiece.

C: What about your performances, which include an Oscar winning turn from Javier Bardem?
N: The performances across the board are all brilliant. Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Kelly McDonald are all great, yes, but Javier Bardem is the real show stealer. What could be more scary than a man completely devoid of emotion, who drives around with a forceful weapon killing anyone who angers him slightly, and who believes that fate can be decided by a coin toss?

C: Does fate come down to a coin toss?
N: It depends. If you put your lucky quarter into your pocket, it'll get all mixed up with your other coins, and then it will become just a coin, which is what it is.

C: Well, it sure was nice chatting with you. Any last words for the readers out there?
N: People always say the same thing. They always say "You don't have to do this." But you really do. You really gotta watch me.

And my rating for No Country for Old Men: