My ten favorite films of the the year

1.  Whiplash -  Yes, some teachers really are that crazy.  I've been there.  I haven't found myself in a situation close to the one Miles Teller's Andrew finds himself in with jazz professor Fletcher, but I've witnessed some crazy things being an arts student.  "Whiplash" was a film that as my friend and I walked out of the theatre, I knew I had really enjoyed.  We both talked about our connection to the film in terms of our own experiences with teachers who had been overly aggressive in their tactics or had been out of line in their teaching methods.  Immediately, the film started a discussion.  I just didn't know how much I loved it and that it would stay with me for months to come.  Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons turn in performances for the ages.  I had to remember to breathe when the credits rolled.

2.  Pride - A beautifully made British indie about a group of lesbian and gay activists who work with the miners during the strike of 1984.  The relationship between the two groups is dynamic and every performance in the film feels so lived-in.  With one of the best ensembles I've seen on screen, "Pride" will be a film I revisit in the years to come.  All of the characters feel so complex and human that I often felt as if I was just watching from a nearby doorway as they strategized and planned their next move as a group.  I highly recommend you seek out this small gem of a film.

3.  Nightcrawler - 2014 was a year that I thought a lot about the role of media.  "Nightcrawler" didn't do anything to change that.  Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, and Riz Ahmed do haunting work with a great script by Dan Gilroy.  The film made me think about the abuse of power, the shocking way in which people in the news business look to profit from tragedy, and the unfortunate tactics they use to rise above their competition.

4.  The Imitation Game - I find the time of Alan Turing and the breaking of the Enigma codes incredibly fascinating.  This film was right in my wheelhouse and Benedict Cumberbatch's performance captures the complexity of Turing living in a time when his personality was not understood and he was unable to be open about his sexuality.  Keira Knightley brings a wonderful sense of compassion as Turing's co-worker and friend Joan Clarke.  If only those who brought him down and drove him to his end could have seen the genius he was during his life, and how much he would add to the world's technological growth.  The production design, script, score, costumes, direction and performances are all top-notch.

5.  Wild - I actually read the "Wild" novel before my viewing and was anxious to see how the memory time jumps would be captured on film.  Although a couple of Cheryl Strayed's relationships to people on the trail were sacrificed, I think director Jean-Marc Vallée did great justice to her story.  Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern's mother-daughter relationship is complicated and beautiful.  "Wild" makes us think about our own life journey and how we choose to process the often painful events that can sometimes lead to true personal growth.

6.  Selma - "Selma" managed to put me through every emotion in the book.  Ava DuVernay composes a film with many powerful moments brought to life by a towering performance by David Oyelowo and his fellow cast members, who perform even the smallest of roles to heartrending effect.  The current relevance of the film made me sad and angry, but hopeful in change that change.  She hasn't been singled out much this year, but Carmen Ejojo's work is lovely.  She may not get the one big dramatic scene, but her moments with her husband are drenched in a deep, personal history.  "Selma" is a difficult watch, but an important one.  

7.  Gone Girl - I love David Fincher's work.  Rosamund Pike's Amy is unforgettable and she skillfully handles Amy's persona and the sociopathic ways she proceeds in her fractured marriage.  The performances from the whole cast hit their mark in just exactly the right way, with the environment constantly changing as the case unfurls.  Although there is much debate, I think "Gone Girl" touches on the side of humanity that shouldn't always be shied away from.  A sense of comfort in this type of film and its characters is perhaps not the goal.  I found myself walking around for days after wondering - do we ever really know anyone?  Creepy, yes.

8.  Boyhood - Richard Linklater once again proves that he has an uncanny ability to show what it means to be human, in particular the way that we grapple with love or family relationships.  My own childhood was nothing like young Mason's, yet I still was able to relate to the questions he asked and the feelings he went through.  "Boyhood" reminds us to appreciate life's seminal moments and the preciousness of time.

9.  The LEGO Movie - I'm a lifelong Disney kid and the Warner Bros. animated film is one of my favorites of the year?  Correct.  The incredible imagination that went into the making of this film and the great laughs it provided me on a cold day were welcome and unexpected.  The joy of different LEGO worlds meeting and Chris Pratt's voice performance as Emmet Brickowski resulted in a truly delightful viewing experience.

10.  X-Men: Days of Future Past - My last slot goes to my true inner nerd.  This almost went to "Guardians of the Galaxy", which I really enjoyed, but I found the newest "X-Men" installment to be a total blast.  If you looked at me during the big Quicksilver scene, you would have seen a goofy smile plastered across my face.  "X-Men" reminds me of watching the cartoon on Saturday mornings in my pajamas, and the last two films have captured that same sense of excitement for me.

Thoughts on this year's Oscar nominations

Oscar nominations were announced this morning and you can find the full list here.

Let's start with the positive.  I was delighted to see Laura Dern recognized this morning for her work in "Wild".  Although her screen time was limited, she was able to give the character surprising depth.  Her impact was truly felt which is so important for Reese Witherspoon's Cheryl Strayed character.  It was also nice to see Wes Anderson get his first directing recognition for his wildly inventive "The Grand Budapest Hotel".  Many who even haven't been fans of Anderson's previous work had a blast going on the adventure with Ralph Fiennes and company.

"American Sniper" was clearly a big hit with the Academy, showing us that late breaking films shouldn't always be counted out.  Clint Eastwood has been here before in a similar position with "Million Dollar Baby".  I'm really looking forward to catching Marion Cotillard's nominated performance this month in "Two Days, One Night".  She was the talk of Cannes and I'm glad to see that a lack of nominations throughout the year didn't impact her chances later on in the season.

What hurts?  Quite a bit.  "The LEGO Movie" missing was the shocker today.  It really makes you wonder what the Animation branch didn't like.  Did it come down to - "I didn't like the way LEGO people move?"  Let's hope not.  The wonderful documentary on Roger Ebert "Life Itself" missing out was also unfortunate.  I really thought the Academy would find the love for it.  I was hoping that Jake Gyllenhaal would show up in Best Actor for his work in "Nightcrawler".  Many would consider it career-best work and the film only found recognition in Best Screenplay.  Aside from that nomination and Rosamund Pike's Best Actress nod, it seems "Gone Girl" and "Nightcrawler" just didn't connect as much as expected after faring well with many of the guilds and critics groups.  Two of the best pictures of the year in my mind.

The most disappointing moment of the morning for me was no nomination for "Selma" director Ava DuVernay.  Her work on that picture was incredible and she was able to make something so emotionally-charged and relevant to today's world.  Her astounding leading man David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr. also found himself without a nomination.  I was frankly relieved to see it in for Best Picture.  It's also disheartening to think that there was not a single Best Picture nominee this year led by a female.  There was also not a single person of color nominated for acting this year, the first time this has happened since 1998!  Anyone who was expecting a female writer to be nominated with Gillian Flynn's great and much talked about "Gone Girl" script were also left wondering what happened.

I found 2014 to be a great year in film, but I don't think this was reflected in the Academy's choices this time around.  Time to cheer me up Neil Patrick Harris!  We will see how it all shakes out on February 22nd.

Predictions for the 87th Oscar nominations!

Well, tomorrow is the big 87th Academy Awards nominations announcement!  For the the first time, all 24 categories will be announced live at 5:30 a.m. PT.  This year, there are still several categories where there seems to be a lot of wiggle room and have the potential for a surprise or two.  A few seem to have a 5th slot that could swing different ways.  Here are my predictions with some brief thoughts or alternates, excluding the shorts.  

Best Picture
01. American Sniper
02. Birdman
03. Boyhood
04. Gone Girl
05. The Grand Budapest Hotel
06. The Imitation Game
07. Selma
08. The Theory of Everything
09. Whiplash

If there are 10 nominees add: Nightcrawler
-I'm going with 9 like we have seen the past few years with the new voting system.  I don't imagine a big enough percentage of #1 votes needed for Nightcrawler to get in, but I would love to be wrong.  There is also a possibility it takes the place of Gone Girl.

Best Directing
01. Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman
02. Richard Linklater, Boyhood
03. Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel
04. Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game
05. Ava DuVernay, Selma

-I'm thinking that Ava DuVernay takes Clint Eastwood's DGA spot.  This is going to be a tight one though, and Damien Chazelle poses a real threat as well.

Best Actor in a Leading Role
01. Michael Keaton, Birdman
02. Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
03. Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler
04. David Oyelowo, Selma
05. Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

-Steve Carell could easily take the place of Oyelowo or Gyllenhaal after his SAG and Globe love.  Will the Academy consider him supporting like BAFTA did?

Best Actress in a Leading Role
01. Jennifer Aniston, Cake
02. Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
03. Julianne Moore, Still Alice
04. Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
05. Reese Witherspoon, Wild

-Aniston is in the vulnerable position.  If her name isn't called tomorrow, I think Amy Adams will be taking her place for Big Eyes.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
01. Edward Norton, Birdman
02. Ethan Hawke, Boyhood
03. Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
04. Robert Duvall, The Judge
05. J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

-This is the likely five.  If Josh Brolin (Inherent Vice) or Tom Wilkinson (Selma) show up here, it would probably be at the expense of veteran Duvall.  Carell could also show up here in supporting in agreement with BAFTA's placement.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
01. Emma Stone, Birdman
02. Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
03. Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
04. Meryl Streep, Into the Woods
05. Rene Russo, Nightcrawler

-Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year) looks to pounce on the 5th slot.  I'm predicting Rene Russo love in the Academy though and her first nomination.

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
01. Birdman
02. Boyhood
03. Foxcatcher
04. The Grand Budapest Hotel
05. Nightcrawler

-Mr. Turner and Selma could take that Foxcatcher or Nigthcrawler's spot.

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
01. Gone Girl
02. The Imitation Game
03. The Theory of Everything
05. Whiplash
05. Wild

-American Sniper could end up here in place of Whiplash or Wild.

Best Animated Feature
01. Big Hero 6
02. How to Train Your Dragon 2
03. The LEGO Movie
04. Song of the Sea
05. The Tale of Princess Kaguya

-Leaving out The Boxtrolls could be an extremely poor decision, but the Academy appreciates foreign animation and previously nominated Tomm Moore's The Secret of Kells.

Best Foreign Language Film
01. Ida
02. Force Majeure
03. Leviathan
04. Timbuktu
05. Wild Tales

-Tangerines from Estonia is another possibility here.  You never know with the Foreign Language branch.

Best Documentary Feature
01. The Case Against 8
02. CITIZENFOUR
03. Last Days in Vietnam
04. Life Itself
05. The Overnighters

-I think Virgunga or Finding Vivan Maier are definite possibilities if this isn't the five.

Best Music (Original Score)
01. Gone Girl
02. The Grand Budapest Hotel
03. The Imitation Game
04. Interstellar
05. The Theory of Everything

-Could Desplat get a THIRD score in with a nomination for Unbroken or could Thomas Newman get in for The Judge?  Both very possible.

Best Music (Original Song)
01. "Lost Stars", Begin Again
02. "I'm Not Gonna Miss You", Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me
03. "Yellow Flicker Beat", The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part I
04. "Everything Is Awesome", The LEGO Movie
05. "Glory", Selma

-It's always hard to guess what the music branch is going to do here. "Ryan's Song" from Boyhood or "Big Eyes" from Big Eyes could be here.

Best Film Editing
01. Birdman
02. Boyhood
03. The Imitation Game
04. Nightcrawler
05. Whiplash

-Alternates: American Sniper or The Grand Budapest Hotel

Best Cinematography
01. Birdman
02. The Grand Budapest Hotel
03. Mr. Turner
04. Nightcrawler
05. Unbroken 

-The branch may also take to the work in Ida or Interstellar

Best Production Design 
01. Big Eyes
02. The Grand Budapest Hotel
03. The Imitation Game
04. Into the Woods
05. Mr. Turner 

-Alternate: Interstellar

Best Costume Design
01. The Grand Budapest Hotel
02. The Imitation Game
03. Into the Woods
04. Maleficent
05. Mr. Turner

-Alternates: Inherent Vice or Selma

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
01. Guardians of the Galaxy
02. The Grand Budapest Hotel
03. The Theory of Everything

-Alternate: Foxcatcher for making Steve Carell's face haunt my dreams.

Best Sound Mixing
01. American Sniper
02. Birdman
03. The Imitation Game
04. Into the Woods
05. Unbroken

-Alternates: Interstellar, Transformers: Age of Extinction

Best Sound Editing
01. American Sniper
02. Birdman
03. Guardians of the Galaxy
04. Interstellar
05. Unbroken

-Alternate: Fury

Best Visual Effects
01. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
02. Godzilla
03. Guardians of the Galaxy
04. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
05. Interstellar

-X-Men: Days of Future Past or Maleficent could replace one of these

Diving back in to the blog in the eye of the storm!

It's back to the blog!  I enjoyed my little start in the past, and although life and my own silly mind got in the way, I'm happy to be back writing.  What a better time to dive in than right in the middle of the chaos this week, right?  Many call this week one of the busiest in Hollywood, with the Oscar nominations dropping early Thursday morning in addition to the Critics' Choice Movie Awards that evening.

2014 seemed to get some flack for not being a "great" film year in some circles, but I have to disagree.  The first half of the year didn't have a ton that truly popped for me personally, but once "Boyhood" hit, my brain woke up and I was ready to take on the rest of the year.  I'm catching up on a few more films before I make a final top ten favorite films list this week, but in a year with films like "Gone Girl" and "Selma" out there, I can't complain.  No matter what your taste is, I truly believe that if you dig down and look hard, you will find films to be seen that may contain something you connect with.  Go small, go forgotten, ask a friend what they liked.  There is stuff there.  I will post some final Oscar predictions tomorrow.  Who are you rooting for this year?

I will also be getting back and chugging along on Twitter.  You can follow me there @joshuamclement

The Oscars come and go and my most anticipated films of 2013

I got a kick out of the Oscars this year.  I felt the show moved along well, and as a musical theatre major, I thoroughly enjoyed the focus on music, although I would have loved to see more movie musicals represented.  I was happy with the winners and the films so I'll be one of the few who refuse to join the negative brigade.  I was thrilled to see Jennifer Lawrence win.  I think she is a shining star who has a wonderful career ahead of her.  It was also a joy to see Anne Hathaway win an Oscar for an incredible performance.  I am delighted that her "dream came true". 

I'm not sure what form my blog thoughts will take in the next year as I focus on some other life changes.  I know that seeing film inspires me and has always brought me great satisfaction.  I hope those who read along here can see that love shine through.   

Below I have posted my most anticipated films of 2013 as well as the the full list of Oscar winners this year.  'August: Osage County' is my favorite play, so to say my expectations may be slightly high would be an understatement.  I'm looking forward to seeing the Aussie women Kidman and Watts' performances as Princess Diana and Grace Kelly.  I'm always looking forward to a new Kate Winslet role and what will be the year of Benedict Cumberbatch.  I'm beginning 'Parade's End' on HBO tonight and will see him in the 'Fifth Estate', the second Hobbit film, 'August: Osage County', 'Star Trek', and 'Twelve Years a Slave' all this year.  Another Scorsese film with 'The Wolf of Wall Street' should be one to look out for, in addition to 'Inside Llewyn Davis' from the Cohen brothers.  'Saving Mr. Banks' should also bring out the nostalgia for me, as I was raised watching Mary Poppins as a child.  I can't wait for what looks to be another exciting year in film.   

August: Osage County
The Butler
Dallas Buyers' Club
Devil's Knot
Diana
Elysium
Ender's Game 
The Fifth Estate
Grace of Monaco
Gravity
The Great Gatsby
Inside Llewyn Davis
Labor Day 
Man of Steel
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Monuments Men
Out of the Furnace
The Place Beyond the Pines
Saving Mr. Banks
Serena
Star Trek - Into Darkness
Stoker
Trance
Twelve Years a Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street


85th Academy Awards

Best Picture
"Argo"
Best Director
Ang Lee, "Life of Pi"
Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln"
Best Actress
Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook
Best Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained"
Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway, "Les Misérables"
Best Adapted Screenplay
"Argo"
Best Original Screenplay
"Django Unchained"
Best Cinematography
"Life of Pi"
Best Costume Design
"Anna Karenina"
Best Film Editing
"Argo"
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
"Les Misérables"
Best Music - Original Score
"Life of Pi"
Best Music - Original Song
"Skyfall" from "Skyfall"
Best Production Design
"Lincoln"
Best Sound Editing
(tie) "Skyfall" and "Zero Dark Thirty"
Best Sound Mixing
"Les Misérables"
Best Visual Effects
"Life of Pi"
Best Animated Feature Film
"Brave"
Best Foreign Language Film
"Amour"
Best Documentary Feature
"Searching for Sugar Man"
Best Documentary - Short Subject
"Inocente"
Best Short Film - Animated
"Paperman"
Best Short Film - Live Action
"Curfew"

'Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God'

Alex Gibney's 'Mex Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God', which premiered last night on HBO, shows that there is much that needs to be done in order for the Catholic Church to fully acknowledge the sexual abuse that has taken place over decades throughout the world.  This abuse has happened at the hands of religious leaders who prey upon helpless young children.  For the first part of the documentary, Gibney focuses on Father Lawrence Murphy, who was responsible for molesting hundreds of children at a Milwaukee school for the deaf.  Murhphy used his power for evil, as many children at his school came from families with non-signing parents and looked up to him with his ability to sign.  The abuse at the school shows us how the students' silence made it even harder for their experiences to come to the surface and into public knowledge.  Gibney interviews four men who were victims of Murphy and how they have struggled to be heard and for their experiences to demand action, even confronting Murphy in person in his later years.  Although actors have been utilized to let us know the words they sign, the expressions on the men's faces and the passion of their gestures tell us so much about how this has affected their lives and how it continues to haunt them.

The film's scope broadens as it goes on, detailing how Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was at one time personally in charge of seeing every documented sexual abuse case.  The film also briefly covers the measures being taken to make the Vatican responsible in a court of law.  Little has changed however, and hundreds if not thousands of known pedophiles have stayed free.  'Mea Maxima Culpa' shows a flawed system, where religious leaders have been placed in a God-like position above the law.  The Catholic Church remains in the shadow of these horrific wrongdoings and must be forced by the government to answer to its people rather than God.  The system must transform, as far too many victims' voices have been silenced, left to wonder if true change will ever happen and if long-standing traditions of keeping these horrors hidden will end. 

SBIFF Outstanding Performer of the Year Jennifer Lawrence manages to save awkwardly moderated tribute

I was very excited to head down to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival yesterday to attend the Outstanding Performer of the Year tribute to Jennifer Lawrence.  What I wasn't expecting was how distracted I would be by the moderation of the event, conducted by executive director Roger Durling.  Normally, the moderator is the encyclopedia of knowledge about the performer, engaging them in a colorful dialogue that runs the gamut from talking about their early life before acting to where they find themselves in their career as they look to the future.  After messing up a fact about Lawrence's involvement in local theatre early on (which was also documented in the program), Durling turned the evening into a one-sided gushing over Lawrence, often bringing the program to a painfully awkward lurch, forcing Lawrence to shrug her shoulders or put in a position of having nothing to respond to.  Thankfully, the talented young actress has a great unfiltered manner and was able to save the night on several occasions with a funny aside to the audience or a self-deprecating joke.

After twenty minutes, the conversation fell into the pattern of Durling telling Lawrence that she was fantastic in a role and then simply asking what it was like to work with the director.  This format seemed to hold for the rest of the night.   While I couldn't agree more with Durling on the skill Jennifer Lawrence has shown over the course of her young career, I expect moderators to do their homework and show up with a knowledge of the performer.  I would have loved to see the night moderated by a Leonard Maltin, Anne Thompson, Dave Karger or Kris Tapley, journalists or historians who seem to have no problem connecting with the young performers they often interview.  I will give credit to Durling for assembling a wonderful clip package of Lawrence's career so far, and I enjoyed opening the evening with clips of Carole Lombard in 'My Man Godfrey', Claudette Colbert in 'It Happened One Night', Barbara Stanwyck in 'The Lady Eve', Diane Keaton in 'Annie Hall', and Cher in 'Moonstruck', in roles that showed their great balance of comedic tones and drama.  Closing the night by saying he has trouble taking compliments, you would think Durling would be able to put himself on the opposite side of the table and make the night a little more relaxing.  It's unfortunate that for most of the people sitting around me in the beautiful Arlington Theatre, it was a night of squirming in our seats.