Review: Oscar 2008 Films

[TomServo]

Re: Review: November/December Films

So... I think Slumdog Millionaire is my new favorite?

[MrHyeSev]

Re: Review: November/December Films

Im going to go see it
I like Sean Penn, especially in the movie
" I Am Sam"

[One-Way]

Re: Review: November/December Films

So... I think Slumdog Millionaire is my new favorite?

I still haven't seen it but I will next week.

There's an interview with Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) and Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire). Check it out, it's on YouTube somewhere.

[One-Way]

Re: Review: Oscar 2008 Films

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Directed by Sam Mendes

I haven't read Richard Yates' novel and had debated if I should but decided against it as the date for this film neared. I wanted everything to be an absolute surprise; from the story to the direction by Sam Mendes. I didn't read many reviews while they were being released these past few days simply because I had heard there was a tragic ending involved and I didn't want to ruin it for myself. The trailer for this film was absolutely emotional and I had drawn pictures in my head for what I would imagine the story to be like.

From the opening shot of the film, I knew this was going to be much different than those pictures in my head. Sam Mendes has a very different approach to filmmaking so I knew this wouldn't be a typical film with an American marriage crumbling to the floor. The structure of the film was much more different than what I had imagined. The way it begins, the use of flashbacks and the ending is definitely not what I expected.

After reading responses and reviews, I realized many people were disappointed. I don't think I was disappointed, I was just surprised at the approach to constructing this film. With that said, the acting is completely brilliant from DiCaprio and Winslet. Michael Shannon stole the screen in ways I couldn't even begin to imagine possible. Finally, there's a contendor I can compare with Heath Ledger's performance.

Revolutionary Road is a very difficult subject matter; maybe not to those who wanted to see a love-story gone mad but it depicts real life. Anybody who has been married, or even involved in a serious relationship, knows about the difficulties of the future. Portraying the emotions two people feel in a relationship where the love is beginning to fade away seemed impossible until this film. With the way the film is presented, Sam Mendes makes us look at the Wheeler's relationship from different angles.

American Beauty was a work of art by Mendes because of the way the Burnham's family was depicted. Sam Mendes does an incredible job at introducing us to the Wheeler's and photographed each scene wisely. In the beginning of the film, we seem so distant to Frank and April; almost like a neighbor. Toward the end of the film, we feel like a regular in the house as if we're apart of the family and witnessing their struggles and arguments firsthand.

I think it's a shame so many people think this film is a disappointment. In a way, I'm glad because it didn't turn out to be a typical period piece with DiCaprio and Winslet. One thing I know for sure is people who are disappointed know there is something they couldn't quite catch. Hopefully with more viewings, they could understand why this film was told in the way it was. Take the time to understand why each flashback occurs and understand what each character is feeling.

Leonardo DiCaprio deserves the Oscar for his performance and I think this is made clear no matter what your opinion on the film is. Unfortunently, this isn't a film for everyone and it's disappointing when people can't truly see how great it was. Just because it isn't what you expected doesn't necessarily mean you should be disappointed in the film. The film is very emotional and made me feel something I have never really felt. I felt scared of the confinements in life and the hopeless emptiness that exists in this world. I felt worried for all the marriages that have failed because they had the same problems; they couldn't break free from their struggles. I felt my own heart shattering as Frank Wheeler walks out of the room and barely looks at Shep... knowing, trying to imagine, what he was feeling.

[One-Way]

Re: Review: Oscar 2008 Films

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Directed by David Fincher

I had been anticipating seeing this film almost as long as Revolutionary Road. The trailer for this film was just as beautiful and almost as emotional. The film seemed to be well-received as many first time reactions from press screenings described the film as a masterpiece. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a long time coming; it's a film that's been in the words since the 90s and it's finally here.

There are certain aspects of the film which were just as I had imagined. However, the overall themes of the film felt like they became repetitive. I felt like we revisited the same life lesson Benjamin learned more than just once, which is probably why the film felt so long. You can certainly feel Eric Roth had written the screenplay with many similarities in the theme and its characters with Forrest Gump.

The CGI was quite impressive although I am definitely not a fan. The recreation of New York and the given periods of time were quite breathtaking. The make-up to age Benjamin Button was very strong and felt very real. The technical aspects of this film was amazing, without a question. The writing, overall, was often beautiful and flowed like a poem. At other times, it felt like it dragged on too long and we were being force-fed certain emotions. Brad Pitt gives a very warm performance as Benjamin Button. I wasn't blown away by his performance in particular nor Cate Blanchett's, although they were both quite well. In comparison with DiCaprio and Winslet, they seemed to fade into the distance.

There is a particular scene which completely blew me away given the way it was filmed. If you seen the film, I'm talking about the "everything happens for a reason" scene with the taxi and Daisy. Had the film not ended with Daisy growing old, this would be a beautiful way to end the film. It was truly an amazing experience and the scene ran beautifully. It's probably one of the few times I turned to my girlfriend during a film and uttered "wow."

Overall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't have the impact I had hoped. Even though Revolutionary Road wasn't constructed as I had hoped, I still felt like it shook me for a day or two after seeing it. Given the size of this film - the budget, the time spent preparing, and production - it doesn't leave the lasting effect you had hoped for. I think it was a very fine film, however, and worth watching.

My mother was completely disappointed and felt the film ran much too long. She doesn't believe it will win Best Picture, or Best Actor for that matter. Gotta respect a mother's opinion. I don't think she's wrong.

[ara87]

Re: Review: November/December Films

You didn't like it? I've never heard of anyone not liking it and if you truly didn't, I highly doubt you'll like The Wrestler. Requiem was one of the finest films ever, so maybe you should rematch it.

I didn't like Requiem either. I liked the parts with the mom the best, other than that, it didn't hold my interest. Also I always think about Lord of the Rings when I watch it, b/c I saw it after the LOTR series used it's main theme, so I guess that doesn't help any. As far as other
Aronofsky films go, I've only seen, "The Fountain," which I equally liked and disliked.
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As far as best pics go, choosing out of the the 10 that are nominated for the Critics Choice Awards, I'd go with

Doubt
The Reader
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionare

(the other nom's)
Changeling
The Wrestler
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wall-e

[One-Way]

Re: Review: Oscar 2008 Films

I haven't heard many people not liking Requiem for a Dream. The film has some of the best performances from its decade. The music is beautifully crafted and like you said, was later used for others films like Lord of the Rings. The film is a great character study and its story is very powerful. Definitely Aronofsky's masterpiece and one of the greatest films of all time.

The runners you chose seem quite right. Although if you're talking about Oscars, I don't think Doubt or The Reader will get a nod. I think it'll be more like:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
Slumdog Millionaire
Revolutionary Road/The Dark Knight

[One-Way]

Re: Review: Oscar 2008 Films

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Directed by Danny Boyle

I read a review where someone said, "If you were to tell me one of the best films of the year is going to be about an Indian boy on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, I would have called you crazy." Well, believe it or not, it's true.

Slumdog Millionaire is a story about an Indian boy who finds himself a question away from winning 20 million rupees. He is later accused of cheating and tortured for answers. As we come across each question he answers right, we go back to his childhood and reveal he knew the answers through life experience. Slumdog is a story about destiny and it is beautifully told, in a very uncoventional way. With that said, the story takes a typical Hollywood-ending dive which is a definite crowd pleaser.

The performances are great all around, even from the young children who appear in most of the film. Dev Patel gives a very warm and humble performance as Jamal, the contestant of the show. The story drops you in the slums of India as we explore the life of these children. Even at the films slowest points, the story manages to hold your interest. Very worthy of the attention it has been receiving although I'm not sure how long the film will stay with me, personally.

[ara87]

Re: Review: Oscar 2008 Films

The runners you chose seem quite right. Although if you're talking about Oscars, I don't think Doubt or The Reader will get a nod. I think it'll be more like:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
Slumdog Millionaire
Revolutionary Road/The Dark Knight

I admit I don't think the Reader will get a nod, but is "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" really that great? I've only seen the trailers, and I know I shouldn't judge off those, but B.B. just seems like another extravagant love against all odds story, "Doubt" appears to be much better. Anyways although I had planned to see them this weekend, I am now scrapping them, to go to an independent theater to see "Gran Torino."

As far as Oscar nom's go, I think "Waltz with Bashir" may get a best foreign nom, or best animated nom

[One-Way]

Re: Review: Oscar 2008 Films

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an intriguing story and fine piece of cinema. Whether you like or dislike the film, it's obvious it will get the nods. Benjamin Button and Slumdog are the current front runners for the Oscars. Benjamin Button is pure Oscar bait.

While I liked certain aspects of the film, I felt that it was too long but I certainly do feel it was very well made. It's a very technical film and has its moments.