Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Ava DuVernay talks at Sundance
I came across this great post on Awards Daily. It includes an eight-minute video excerpt of Ava DuVernay's talk at Sundance as well as links to the longer interviews on Democracy Now. At one point, DuVernay comments that the problem is not so much about an Oscar omission for "Selma", but more about the fact that "Selma shouldn't have been the only hope for faces of color in this kind of celebration of film". It really does start on a larger level with the types of films that studios are willing to finance and distribute. The representation of minorities in film still needs increased visibility and the opportunities given to female directors and writers just aren't where they should be. I hope this changes in the coming years.
Monday, January 26, 2015
SAG Awards night honors diverse performances
From the cheesy announcer opening to the "I'm an actor"stories from the tables, the SAG Awards are always an entertaining night. The fact that they are much shorter than the Golden Globes or Oscars with no host or musical numbers quickens the pace of things and you can always feel the love in the room as the actors celebrate their peers.
On the television side, it was great to see the whole cast of "Orange is the New Black" up on stage. Every actor is so critical in the success of that show and the way that the characters bounce off of each other is what makes it such a must-see. Uzo Aduba's win was a wonderful surprise too, and it was nice to see her take the stage after telling her story how she got her SAG card on "Orange". Wins from Mark Ruffalo for "A Normal Heart" and Frances McDormand for "Olive Kitteridge" were for some of the best acting work I saw this past year.
For film work, the ensemble of "Birdman" continued the surge of their film after a Producers Guild Award win on Saturday night. Julianne Moore, J.K. Simmons and Patricia Arquette also kept their streaks alive after previous Globe and critics group wins. Eddie Redmayne and Michael Keaton looked neck and neck heading into the the night, but Redmayne was the one who claimed the Best Actor trophy. I think it will still be a tight race heading into BAFTA and Oscar night. I've been a fan of Redmayne's work since I first saw him in the 2008 indie film "Savage Grace" with....Julianne Moore. A great year for both.
Zach Galifinakis getting a quick joke from Julianne Moore's acceptance speech and spouting "When I was on As the World Turns..." proved a very funny end to the evening.
Check out a complete list of the SAG Awards winners here at HitFix.
On the television side, it was great to see the whole cast of "Orange is the New Black" up on stage. Every actor is so critical in the success of that show and the way that the characters bounce off of each other is what makes it such a must-see. Uzo Aduba's win was a wonderful surprise too, and it was nice to see her take the stage after telling her story how she got her SAG card on "Orange". Wins from Mark Ruffalo for "A Normal Heart" and Frances McDormand for "Olive Kitteridge" were for some of the best acting work I saw this past year.
For film work, the ensemble of "Birdman" continued the surge of their film after a Producers Guild Award win on Saturday night. Julianne Moore, J.K. Simmons and Patricia Arquette also kept their streaks alive after previous Globe and critics group wins. Eddie Redmayne and Michael Keaton looked neck and neck heading into the the night, but Redmayne was the one who claimed the Best Actor trophy. I think it will still be a tight race heading into BAFTA and Oscar night. I've been a fan of Redmayne's work since I first saw him in the 2008 indie film "Savage Grace" with....Julianne Moore. A great year for both.
Zach Galifinakis getting a quick joke from Julianne Moore's acceptance speech and spouting "When I was on As the World Turns..." proved a very funny end to the evening.
Check out a complete list of the SAG Awards winners here at HitFix.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
10 films I wish I was seeing at Sundance...
The Sundance Film Festival kicked off Thursday in Park City, Utah. Here are ten films I wish I was there to check out!
1. The Stanford Prison Experiment - Featuring a huge ensemble cast that includes Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Olivia Thirlby and Michael Angarano, "The Stanford Prison Experiment"is the intense story of a 1971 mock prison experiment that examined psychology and involved twenty-four undergraduate students. Billy Crudup plays Dr. Philip Zimbardo who headed the study. This sounds like an intense viewing experience.
2. Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief - Alex Gibney's new documentary exposes the world of Scientology as he interviews eight former members. From their personal experiences, to the origins of the church and its practices, this sounds like another unforgettable documentary from the filmmaker. Based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright.
3. Lila & Eve - Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez play Lila and Eve, two grieving mothers whose children were killed on the same night. They join forces to seek justice in what sounds like an emotional thriller.
4. Diary of a Teenage Girl - Based on the reaction coming out of the festival today, this seems like the film to see. Newcomer Bel Powley is getting rave reviews for this coming-of-age story about a girl in 1970's San Francisco who engages in an affair with her mother's boyfriend. Alexander Skarsgârd, Kristen Wiig and Christopher Meloni also star.
5. True Story - James Franco plays Christian Longo who was on the FBI's most wanted list for the murder of his wife and three children and hid under the identity of journalist Michael Finkel. The real Finkel (played by Jonah Hill) goes to interview Longo. Oscar-nominee Felicity Jones plays a supporting role.
6. The End of the Tour - Jason Segal plays author David Foster Wallace on tour after the publication of his novel Infinite Jest. The film details his five-day interview with Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky, played by Jesse Eisenberg. The film debuted yesterday and buzz is high. I'm a big fan of director James Ponsolt ("The Spectacular Now") and this is a film I expect we'll be hearing a lot more about upon release.
7. The Hunting Ground - I recently posted the trailer for this new documentary from Kirby Dick that exposes the horrible pattern of sexual assault taking place on college campuses. Bound to make me angry, I have no doubt it will be an important work, especially for the survivors as they fight for change.
8. The Overnight - A couple moves to Los Angeles from Seattle with their son. Looking to make new friends, they meet up with another family and a gathering exposes various aspects of the group as the night progresses. The film stars Taylor Schilling, Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godrèche.
9. I Am Michael - The story of gay-rights advocate Michael Glatze who later in life denounces his homosexuality. An intriguing premise to say the least, the film stars James Franco, Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts.
10. Z for Zachariah - Craig Zobel is a director to follow, especially after his last feature film "Compliance". Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine and Margot Robbie star in this film about a woman who believes she is the last woman on Earth following a disaster. She then meets a dying scientist who is searching for survivors. This sounds very different for Zobel and I can't wait to catch it.
1. The Stanford Prison Experiment - Featuring a huge ensemble cast that includes Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Olivia Thirlby and Michael Angarano, "The Stanford Prison Experiment"is the intense story of a 1971 mock prison experiment that examined psychology and involved twenty-four undergraduate students. Billy Crudup plays Dr. Philip Zimbardo who headed the study. This sounds like an intense viewing experience.
2. Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief - Alex Gibney's new documentary exposes the world of Scientology as he interviews eight former members. From their personal experiences, to the origins of the church and its practices, this sounds like another unforgettable documentary from the filmmaker. Based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright.
3. Lila & Eve - Viola Davis and Jennifer Lopez play Lila and Eve, two grieving mothers whose children were killed on the same night. They join forces to seek justice in what sounds like an emotional thriller.
4. Diary of a Teenage Girl - Based on the reaction coming out of the festival today, this seems like the film to see. Newcomer Bel Powley is getting rave reviews for this coming-of-age story about a girl in 1970's San Francisco who engages in an affair with her mother's boyfriend. Alexander Skarsgârd, Kristen Wiig and Christopher Meloni also star.
5. True Story - James Franco plays Christian Longo who was on the FBI's most wanted list for the murder of his wife and three children and hid under the identity of journalist Michael Finkel. The real Finkel (played by Jonah Hill) goes to interview Longo. Oscar-nominee Felicity Jones plays a supporting role.
6. The End of the Tour - Jason Segal plays author David Foster Wallace on tour after the publication of his novel Infinite Jest. The film details his five-day interview with Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky, played by Jesse Eisenberg. The film debuted yesterday and buzz is high. I'm a big fan of director James Ponsolt ("The Spectacular Now") and this is a film I expect we'll be hearing a lot more about upon release.
7. The Hunting Ground - I recently posted the trailer for this new documentary from Kirby Dick that exposes the horrible pattern of sexual assault taking place on college campuses. Bound to make me angry, I have no doubt it will be an important work, especially for the survivors as they fight for change.
8. The Overnight - A couple moves to Los Angeles from Seattle with their son. Looking to make new friends, they meet up with another family and a gathering exposes various aspects of the group as the night progresses. The film stars Taylor Schilling, Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godrèche.
9. I Am Michael - The story of gay-rights advocate Michael Glatze who later in life denounces his homosexuality. An intriguing premise to say the least, the film stars James Franco, Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts.
10. Z for Zachariah - Craig Zobel is a director to follow, especially after his last feature film "Compliance". Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine and Margot Robbie star in this film about a woman who believes she is the last woman on Earth following a disaster. She then meets a dying scientist who is searching for survivors. This sounds very different for Zobel and I can't wait to catch it.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
2015 SAG Awards film predictions
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The big one of the night and it's a tough call. I'm going to go with the cast of "Birdman". Michael Keaton leads a cast filled with well-written female supporting roles and Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough and Amy Ryan all nail it. You can't count out the great work by Edward Norton either. The talented ensembles of "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Boyhood" are alternate possibilities to take the stage though.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
It's going to be a tight one, but I think SAG will go with Michael Keaton for his tour de force performance in "Birdman". Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch are right on his heels though. The degree of difficulty for all five performances is high.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Julianne Moore has been delightful throughout the season in every interview and on every show. More importantly, she is loved by the people she works with and her work in "Still Alice" is difficult and layered. If anyone upsets, I think it would be Reese Witherspoon or Rosamund Pike.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
J.K. Simmons has dominated the season for a reason. His work in "Whiplash" is scary and unforgettable. He is getting some of his first major industry recognition after a long time in the business. He has worked with most of the actors who are going to be in the room. Edward Norton's turn in "Birdman" may prove a possible spoiler.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
I think Patricia Arquette is a sure bet in this category. She turns in incredible work in "Boyhood" and her scenes with Ellar Coltrane are raw and heartbreaking. She is loved by her fellow actors. Emma Stone would be the surprise win here.
The big one of the night and it's a tough call. I'm going to go with the cast of "Birdman". Michael Keaton leads a cast filled with well-written female supporting roles and Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Andrea Riseborough and Amy Ryan all nail it. You can't count out the great work by Edward Norton either. The talented ensembles of "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Boyhood" are alternate possibilities to take the stage though.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
It's going to be a tight one, but I think SAG will go with Michael Keaton for his tour de force performance in "Birdman". Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch are right on his heels though. The degree of difficulty for all five performances is high.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Julianne Moore has been delightful throughout the season in every interview and on every show. More importantly, she is loved by the people she works with and her work in "Still Alice" is difficult and layered. If anyone upsets, I think it would be Reese Witherspoon or Rosamund Pike.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
J.K. Simmons has dominated the season for a reason. His work in "Whiplash" is scary and unforgettable. He is getting some of his first major industry recognition after a long time in the business. He has worked with most of the actors who are going to be in the room. Edward Norton's turn in "Birdman" may prove a possible spoiler.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
I think Patricia Arquette is a sure bet in this category. She turns in incredible work in "Boyhood" and her scenes with Ellar Coltrane are raw and heartbreaking. She is loved by her fellow actors. Emma Stone would be the surprise win here.
"The Hunting Ground" premieres at Sundance tomorrow
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival tomorrow, "The Hunting Ground" is sure to be an emotional and anger-inducing film. After directing the powerful Oscar-nominated documentary "The Invisible War", Kirby Dick is back with a documentary that exposes the horror that one in five women in college are sexually assaulted and shows that the perpetrators are rarely punished. You can read more about the film here on the Sundance Film Festival website. The trailer is below.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Ida: Past, present and future revelations
In the haunting "Ida", Anna (Agata Trzebuchowska) plays a novice nun in 1960's Poland who as an orphan has spent her life raised in a convent. Before she goes to take her vows, her Mother Superior encourages that she meet with a relative, a stranger to Anna. Her aunt Wanda (Agata Kulesza) becomes the family she has never known. Wanda is a judge and Communist Party member, an alcoholic and promiscuous woman whose troubles seem deeply embedded. Wanda's life has positioned her worlds away from her young niece, but she holds shattering secrets and reveals to Ida stark truths about their family history. "Ida" unfolds slowly and with stretches of little dialogue, but is incredibly affecting. Sometimes it is even the slightest look that conveys the deepest meaning to what a character is feeling. This is most on display in Anna's meetings with a young saxophone player at a nearby jazz club.
It is no wonder that "Ida" has been noted (and Oscar nominated) for its haunting black and white cinematography, exposing a Polish countryside where you almost feel the bitter cold through the screen. The film does an exquisite job in illustrating that life is a journey of discovery and that we must often venture into the unknown to fully uncover our own beliefs. Director Pawel Pawlikowski has crafted a film that asks questions about how one processes and handles the truth about the past in order to decide a future path.
"Ida" is now available for viewing in the U.S. on Netflix.
It is no wonder that "Ida" has been noted (and Oscar nominated) for its haunting black and white cinematography, exposing a Polish countryside where you almost feel the bitter cold through the screen. The film does an exquisite job in illustrating that life is a journey of discovery and that we must often venture into the unknown to fully uncover our own beliefs. Director Pawel Pawlikowski has crafted a film that asks questions about how one processes and handles the truth about the past in order to decide a future path.
"Ida" is now available for viewing in the U.S. on Netflix.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Finding Vivian Maier - Hidden treasures
After finding out Tuesday that "Finding Vivian Maier" was nominated by the Academy for Best Documentary, I was excited to discover that it was available for viewing on Showtime. Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, the film is a fascinating story that unravels like a life mystery as we are introduced to former employers of Vivian Maier, a woman who worked as a nanny for most of her life. After buying a chest at an auction house, John Maloof acquires around 100,000 photographs that Maier took over the course of her life. Her photos comprised a stunning collection of street photography that she never developed. Other personal items left behind after her death included clothes, several short films, and small trinkets.
The best way to view this film is to go in with little revealed ahead of time. Vivian Maier's life seems to have contained large spans of sadness and anger, but also moments of joy in France and with the children she took care of. Throughout her life, there was clearly a true love of taking photos of a world that she was wary of in a lot of respects, yet also intrigued by. A brilliant artist was there, either not wanting to have her art displayed publicly, or not having the means to make her lifelong passion a career. "Finding Vivian Maier" made me think about all the brilliant talent and work in the world that lies waiting to be discovered or even hidden from exposure forever. I highly recommend you seek out this film.
The best way to view this film is to go in with little revealed ahead of time. Vivian Maier's life seems to have contained large spans of sadness and anger, but also moments of joy in France and with the children she took care of. Throughout her life, there was clearly a true love of taking photos of a world that she was wary of in a lot of respects, yet also intrigued by. A brilliant artist was there, either not wanting to have her art displayed publicly, or not having the means to make her lifelong passion a career. "Finding Vivian Maier" made me think about all the brilliant talent and work in the world that lies waiting to be discovered or even hidden from exposure forever. I highly recommend you seek out this film.
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