Movie Review: SALT

SALT

2010

Rating: PG-13

Directed by: Phillip Noyce

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, August Diehl, Daniel Olbrychski

Analysis: When Salt first got the go-ahead, Tom Cruise was supposed to hold the lead; after dropping out of the production, Jolie was contacted, and the screenplay was altered slightly to make the storyline work for a female lead. The final result: a legitimately entertaining movie that completely succeeded my expectations.

To be fair, I went into this one with pretty low expectations. The trailer made it look like a run-of-the-mill political thriller with a good chunk of action, and honestly, that's about all it offers. However, Noyce does a great job with the pacing, keeping the excitement going. In addition, the screenplay is pretty strong, and it kept me guessing (is she a good guy or a bad guy?) for most of the movie. In addition, I was slightly blindsided by a late twist, and it added that little bit of icing to this cake.

The acting is about on par with a film of this genre, but it's always good to see Liev Schreiber in a decently-written film. Too often has he been held back by a bad script. Aside from his scenes, there's nothing amazing about the acting, but it's solid, and it keeps the characters believable enough considering the circumstances.

All in all, Salt works well as a popc0rn-crunching summer movie, filled with good action sequences and enough mystery to keep you engaged until the final scene.

Movie Review Summary:
Score: 7.4/10
Grade: B-


Should You Watch It? Sure

Movie Review: DO THE RIGHT THING

DO THE RIGHT THING
1989

TRAILER

Rating: R (for adult content, adult language and violence)

Directed by: Spike Lee

Starring: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro, Bill Nunn, Samuel L. Jackson

Analysis: Like most of his work, Spike Lee's 1989 joint focuses heavily on race relations in New York. In Do the Right Thing, we see Lee himself in a starring role as a young, black man working for an Italian-American pizzeria in his own neighborhood. On one particularly hot day, tempers begin to flare (flaring tempers in the heat? shocking), ultimately culminating in a dramatic, rage-filled finale that only Spike Lee could effectively create.

Watching Lee's films is always a little bit of a stretch for me. The list of his work that I've seen is short (25th Hour, Inside Man, Miracle at St. Anna, and now Do the Right Thing), and from those, I've only truly loved Inside Man, probably because it didn't really rely on race. I didn't outright hate any of his films, but because I'm a young, white man, I'm definitely not the audience Lee is looking for. The films are solid and well-made, but I personally just can't relate to the message he's trying to send.

In the case of Do the Right Thing, I don't really have anything bad to say. The script is tight and well-written, and it worked well enough to keep me engaged throughout the movie. The acting is also solid, with special mentions for Esposito, Turturro and Jackson, who make the most of their limited screen time. I also like the choice of music, especially the use of Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," which almost served as a theme or an anthem for the film. It's almost constantly playing throughout, and it was stuck so deep into my consciousness that I felt like I could still hear it even when it wasn't actually there.

Just because I couldn't find a way to relate to Do the Right Thing doesn't take away from it's quality: it's definitely a film worth watching, especially if you're interested in seeing one of Spike Lee's earlier attempts at showing race relations. It was critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated, so that should add some credence to its overall quality.

Movie Review Summary:
Score: 7.5/10
Grade: B


Should You Watch It? If you want a good look at race relations

Movie Review: THE HUNTED

THE HUNTED
2003

Rating: R (for strong bloody violence and some language)

Directed by: William Friedkin

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Benicio Del Toro, Connie Nielsen

Analysis: Considering the star power behind this vehicle, one could make the assumption that we'd be in for a thought-provoking action flick that might only appeal to a select few. If that is in fact the case, I must not be the audience they were looking for with this attempt at a thriller.

Although the story itself was decent, the screenplay seemed terribly short and kept the characters extremely one-dimensional. I could go on and on about how the acting seems sub-par at best, but I think it's really the material that drags this one down. Combined, Del Toro and Jones have five Oscar nominations, with each man taking home the statue on one occasion. Therefore, we know there's acting chops hidden somewhere inside The Hunted. Unfortunately, a not-so-well crafted screenplay limits what the two leads can do this time around.

The Internet Movie Database labels this film under the following genres: action; crime; drama; thriller. With that, I would expect a little more excitement or suspense; a film like that needs to keep the audience captivated. Unfortunately, I just found The Hunted to be terribly boring. It couldn't keep my attention, be it from the limited dialogue to the actual "action" scenes that seemed stiff and extremely choreographed. I mean, if two well-trained killing machines were engaged in combat, you'd think there would be a little more fluidity to what they were doing. Sadly, I just could not keep myself engaged with this one, and it suffers as a result.

Movie Review Summary:
Score: 4.5/10
Grade: D


Should You Watch It? NO

Movie Awards: BEST OF 2005

Here's a look at my "Best of 2005" awards. Enjoy!

*****

Best Animation
Nominees:
Corpse Bride
Hoodwinked!
Madagascar
Winner: Corpse Bride

*****

Best Visual Effects
Nominees:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
King Kong
Sin City
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
War of the Worlds
Winner: Sin City

*****

Best Original Song
Nominees:
Alanis Morisette for "Wunderkind," The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Andy Dick for "Top of the Woods," Hoodwinked!
Danny Elfman for "Remains of the Day," Corpse Bride
Emmylou Harris for "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," Brokeback Mountain
The Weird Sisters for "Magic Works," Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Winner: Emmylou Harris

*****

Best Original Score
Nominees:
Gustavo Santaolalla, Brokeback Mountain
Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard, Batman Begins
Harold Budd & Robin Guthrie, Mysterious Skin
John Williams, Munich
Mark Isham, Crash

Winner: Gustavo Santaolalla

*****

Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
Nominees:
Courteney Cox, The Longest Yard
Dane Cook, Waiting...
Josh Hartnett, Sin City
Ken Watanabe, Batman Begins
Will Ferrell, Wedding Crashers

Winner: Josh Hartnett

*****

Best Young Star
Nominees:
Erik Knudsen, Saw II
Gemmenne de la Peña, The Weather Man
Laura Marano, The Jacket
Q'orianka Kilcher, The New World
Skandar Keynes, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Winner: Q'orianka Kilcher

*****

Best Villain
Nominees:
Ed Harris, A History of Violence
Elijah Wood, Sin City
Lennie James, Sahara
Liam Neeson, Batman Begins
Motoki Kobayashi, The Great Raid

Winner: Elijah Wood

*****

Best Vocal Performance
Nominees:
Helena Bonham Carter, Corpse Bride
Liam Neeson, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Morgan Freeman, March of the Penguins
Patrick Warburton, Hoodwinked!
Sacha Baron Cohen, Madagascar

Winner: Morgan Freeman

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Anna Faris, Waiting...
Isla Fisher, Wedding Crashers
Jane Lynch, The 40 Year Old Virgin
Michelle Monaghan, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Uma Thurman, The Producers

Winner: Isla Fisher

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Juliane Köhler, Downfall
Keira Knightley, The Jacket
Michelle Trachtenberg, Mysterious Skin
Michelle Williams, Brokeback Mountain
Thandie Newton, Crash

Winner: Michelle Williams

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Brendan Gleeson, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Brian Cox, The Ringer
Ryan Reynolds, Waiting...
Val Kilmer, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Vince Vaughn, Wedding Crashers

Winner: Vince Vaughn

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Clifton Collins Jr., Capote
Daniel Craig, The Jacket
Ed Harris, A History of Violence
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brokeback Mountain
Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man

Winner: Jake Gyllenhaal

*****

Best Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Angelina Jolie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Katherine Heigl, The Ringer
Michelle Monaghan, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Rachel McAdams, Wedding Crashers
Téa Leoni, Fun with Dick and Jane

Winner: Angelina Jolie

*****

Best Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Jacket
Keira Knightley, Domino
Maria Bello, A History of Violence
Q'orianka Kilcher, The New World
Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Winner: Reese Witherspoon

*****

Best Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Brad Pitt, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Jim Carrey, Fun with Dick and Jane
Nicolas Cage, The Weather Man
Owen Wilson, Wedding Crashers
Robert Downey Jr., Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Winner: Robert Downey Jr.

*****

Best Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Bruno Ganz, Downfall
David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck
Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mysterious Skin

Winner: Heath Ledger

*****

Best Director
Nominees:
Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
Frank Miller & Robert Rodriguez, Sin City
George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck
Paul Haggis, Crash
Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Winner: Ang Lee

*****

Best Screenplay, Comedy
Nominees:
Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell, Mark Burton & Tom McGrath, Madagascar
Bob Fisher & Steve Faber, Wedding Crashers
Caroline Thompson, John August, Pamela Pettler, Corpse Bride
Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards & Tony Leech, Hoodwinked!
Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Winner: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

*****

Best Screenplay, Drama
Nominees:
Bernd Eichinger, Downfall
Diana Ossana & Larry McMurty, Brokeback Mountain
Frank Miller, Sin City
Gregg Araki, Mysterious Skin
Paul Haggis & Robert Moresco, Crash

Winner: Diana Ossana & Larry McMurty

*****

Best Cast, Vocal
Nominees:
Corpse Bride
Hoodwinked!
Madagascar
Winner: Corpse Bride

*****

Best Cast, Comedy
Nominees:
The Dukes of Hazzard
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Sahara
Waiting...
Wedding Crashers
Winner: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

*****

Best Cast, Drama
Nominees:
Brokeback Mountain
Crash
Downfall
Munich
Sin City
Winner: Brokeback Mountain

*****

Best Documentary
Nominees:
March of the Penguins

Winner: March of the Penguins

*****

Best Foreign Language Film
Nominees:
Downfall
En la cama
Winner: Downfall

*****

Best Animated Film
Nominees:
Corpse Bride
Hoodwinked!
Madagascar
Winner: Corpse Bride

*****

Best Horror/Thriller
Nominees:
Saw II

Winner: Saw II

*****

Best Action/Adventure
Nominees:
Batman Begins
Domino
The Great Raid
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Sin City
Winner: Batman Begins

*****

Best Comedy
Nominees:
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Sahara
Waiting...
Wedding Crashers
Winner: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

*****

Best Drama
Nominees:
Brokeback Mountain
Crash
Downfall
Munich
Mysterious Skin
Winner: Brokeback Mountain

*****

Best Picture of the Year
Nominees:
Batman Begins
Brokeback Mountain
Crash
Downfall
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Winner: Brokeback Mountain

Movie Awards: BEST OF 2006

Here's a look at my "Best of 2006" awards. Enjoy!

*****

Best Animation
Nominees:
Barnyard
Cars
Happy Feet
Ice Age: The Meltdown
A Scanner Darkly
Winner: A Scanner Darkly

*****

Best Visual Effects
Nominees:
Night at the Museum
Pan's Labyrinth
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
The Prestige
Superman Returns
Winner: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

*****

Best Original Song
Nominees:
Brad Paisley for "Find Yourself," Cars
Cobra Starship for "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)," Snakes on a Plane
Jack Black for "Encarnacion," Nacho Libre
Jack Black, Meat Loaf & Ronnie James Dio for "Kickapoo," Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
Mandy Moore for "Dreamz with a 'Z,'" American Dreamz

Winner: "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)"

*****

Best Original Score
Nominees:
Christophe Beck, We Are Marshall
Howard Shore, The Departed
Javier Navarrete, Pan's Labyrinth
Kyle Eastwood & Michael Stevens, Letters from Iwo Jima
Thomas Newman, Little Children
Winner: Javier Navarrete

*****

Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
Nominees:
Alec Baldwin, The Departed
Ben Stiller, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
David Bowie, The Prestige
Jason Lee, Clerks II
Julianne Moore, Children of Men

Winner: Alec Baldwin

*****

Best Young Star
Nominees:
Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine
Ivana Baquero, Pan's Labyrinth
Jaden Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness
Juno Temple, Notes on a Scandal
Shareeka Epps, Half Nelson

Winner: Abigail Breslin

*****

Best Villain
Nominees:
Ellen Page, Hard Candy
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Jack Nicholson, The Departed
Kevin Spacey, Superman Returns
Sergi López, Pan's Labyrinth

Winner: Ellen Page

*****

Best Vocal Performance
Nominees:
Bill Nighy, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Larry the Cable Guy, Cars
Robin Williams, Happy Feet
Seann William Scott, Ice Age: The Meltdown
Will Lyman, Little Children

Winner: Robin Williams

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine
Carmen Maura, Volver
Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, Clerks II
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stranger Than Fiction
Parker Posey, Superman Returns

Winner: Maggie Gyllenhaal

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal
Jennifer Connelly, Little Children
Maribel Verdú, Pan's Labyrinth
Rebecca Hall, The Prestige
Rinko Kikuchi, Babel

Winner: Cate Blanchett

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine
Kevin Spacey, Superman Returns
Peter Dinklage, Find Me Guilty
Robert Downey Jr., A Scanner Darkly
Robin Williams, Night at the Museum

Winner: Robert Downey Jr.

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Clive Owen, Inside Man
Djimon Hounsou, Blood Diamond
Jack Nicholson, The Departed
Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children
Sergi López, Pan's Labyrinth

Winner: Jack Nicholson

*****

Best Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Emma Thompson, Stranger Than Fiction
Katie Holmes, Thank You for Smoking
Penélope Cruz, Volver
Rosario Dawson, Clerks II
Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine

Winner: Emma Thompson

*****

Best Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Ellen Page, Hard Candy
Helen Mirren, The Queen
Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal
Kate Winslet, Little Children
Natalie Portman, V for Vendetta

Winner: Judi Dench

*****

Best Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Aaron Eckhart, Thank You for Smoking
Greg Kinnear, Little Miss Sunshine
Jason Statham, Crank
Vin Diesel, Find Me Guilty
Will Ferrell, Stranger Than Fiction

Winner: Vin Diesel

*****

Best Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brick
Ken Watanabe, Letters from Iwo Jima
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed
Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness

Winner: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

*****

Best Director
Nominees:
Christopher Nolan, The Prestige
Guillermo del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth
Martin Scorsese, The Departed
Paul Greengrass, United 93
Rian Johnson, Brick

Winner: Paul Greengrass

*****

Best Screenplay, Comedy
Nominees:
George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris & Warren Coleman, Happy Feet
Jason Reitman, Thank You for Smoking
Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine
Robert J. McCrea, Sidney Lumet & T.J. Mancini, Find Me Guilty
Zach Helm, Stranger Than Fiction

Winner: Zach Helm

*****

Best Screenplay, Drama
Nominees:
Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan, The Prestige
Guillermo del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth
Paul Greengrass, United 93
Rian Johnson, Brick
Russell Gewirtz, Inside Man

Winner: Paul Greengrass

*****

Best Cast, Vocal
Nominees:
Barnyard
Cars
Happy Feet
Ice Age: The Meltdown
A Scanner Darkly
Winner: A Scanner Darkly

*****

Best Cast, Comedy
Nominees:
Clerks II
Find Me Guilty
Little Miss Sunshine
Stranger Than Fiction
Thank You for Smoking
Winner: Stranger Than Fiction

*****

Best Cast, Drama
Nominees:
The Departed
The Last King of Scotland
Notes on a Scandal
Pan's Labyrinth
United 93
Winner: Pan's Labyrinth

*****

Best Documentary
Nominees:
The Bridge
Jackass Number Two
Jesus Camp
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Winner: The Bridge

*****

Best Foreign Language Film
Nominees:
Apocalypto
Letters from Iwo Jima
Pan's Labyrinth
Volver
Winner: Pan's Labyrinth

*****

Best Animated Film
Nominees:
Cars
Happy Feet
A Scanner Darkly
Winner: A Scanner Darkly

*****

Best Horror/Thriller
Nominees:
Hard Candy
Pathogen
Saw III
Snakes on a Plane
Winner: Hard Candy

*****

Best Action/Adventure Film
Nominees:
Apocalypto
Casino Royale
Night at the Museum
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
V for Vendetta
Winner: V for Vendetta

*****

Best Comedy
Nominees:
Clerks II
Find Me Guilty
Little Miss Sunshine
Stranger Than Fiction
Thank You for Smoking
Winner: Little Miss Sunshine

*****

Best Drama
Nominees:
Brick
The Departed
Pan's Labyrinth
The Prestige
United 93
Winner: Pan's Labyrinth

*****

Best Picture of the Year
Nominees:
The Bridge
The Departed
Jesus Camp
Pan's Labyrinth
United 93
Winner: Pan's Labyrinth

Movie Awards: BEST OF 2007

Here's a look at my "Best of 2007" awards. Enjoy!

*****

Best Animation
Nominees:
Beowulf
Ratatouille
Shrek the Third
The Simpsons Movie
Surf's Up
Winner: Surf's Up

*****

Best Visual Effects
Nominees:
300
I Am Legend
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Spider-man 3
Transformers
Winner: 300

*****

Best Original Song
Nominees:
311 for "Reggae Got Soul," Surf's Up
Brendyn Bell & Ensemble for "Hoist the Colours," Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Glen Hansard for "Leave," Once
John C. Reilly for "Walk Hard," Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Jon McLaughlin for "So Close," Enchanted

Winner: Jon McLaughlin

*****

Best Original Score
Nominees:
Alan Menken, Enchanted
Harry Gregson-Williams, Gone Baby Gone
Marc Shaiman, The Bucket List
Mychael Danna, Surf's Up
Rolfe Kent, Reign Over Me

Winner: Harry Gregson-Williams

*****

Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
Nominees:
Keith Richards, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Paul Rudd, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Rainn Wilson, Juno
Ryan Seacrest, Knocked Up
Sacha Baron Cohen, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Winner: Ryan Seacrest

*****

Best Young Star
Nominees:
Dillon Freasier, There Will Be Blood
Ed Sanders, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Kristen Stewart, Into the Wild
Marcus Carl Franklin, I'm Not There.
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement

Winner: Marcus Carl Franklin

*****

Best Villain
Nominees:
Ben Foster, 3:10 to Yuma
Billy Mitchell, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Chris Pine, Smokin' Aces
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Nathan Baesel, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

Winner: Javier Bardem

*****

Best Vocal Performance
Nominees:
Albert Brooks, The Simpsons Movie
Brad Garrett, Ratatouille
Jon Heder, Surf's Up
Julie Andrews, Enchanted
Justin Timberlake, Shrek the Third

Winner: Jon Heder

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Allison Janney, Juno
Amy Poehler, Blades of Glory
Emma Stone, Superbad
Imelda Staunton, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Leslie Mann, Knocked Up

Winner: Allison Janney

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There.
Catherine Keener, Into the Wild
Kelly Macdonald, No Country for Old Men
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Winner: Cate Blanchett

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Superbad
J.K. Simmons, Juno
James Marsden, Enchated
Nick Frost, Hot Fuzz
Paul Rudd, Knocked Up

Winner: J.K. Simmons

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Christian Bale, I'm Not There.
Ed Harris, Gone Baby Gone
Paul Dano, There Will Be Blood
Russell Crowe, 3:10 to Yuma

Winner: Paul Dano

*****

Best Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Amy Adams, Enchanted
Ellen Page, Juno
Evan Rachel Wood, King of California
Juliette Binoche, Dan in Real Life
Shannyn Sossamon, Wristcutters: A Love Story

Winner: Ellen Page

*****

Best Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Keira Knightley, Atonement
Laura Linney, The Savages
Marie-Josée Croze, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Markéta Irglová, Once

Winner: Keira Knightley

*****

Best Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Jack Nicholson, The Bucket List
Jonah Hill, Superbad
Michael Douglas, King of California
Simon Pegg, Hot Fuzz
Steve Carell, Dan in Real Life

Winner: Michael Douglas

*****

Best Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Adam Sandler, Reign Over Me
Brad Pitt, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Emile Hirsch, Into the Wild
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Winner: Brad Pitt

*****

Best Director
Nominees:
Ben Affleck, Gone Baby Gone
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
Sean Penn, Into the Wild
Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Todd Haynes, I'm Not There.

Winner: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen

*****

Best Screenplay, Comedy
Nominees:
Bill Kelly, Enchanted
David J. Stieve & Scott Glosserman, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
Edgar Wright & Simon Pegg, Hot Fuzz
Goran Dukic, Wristcutters: A Love Story
Mike Cahill, King of California

Winner: Goran Dukic

*****

Best Screenplay, Drama
Nominees:
Aaron Stockard & Ben Affleck, Gone Baby Gone
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
Florian Henckel von Donnermarck, The Lives of Others
John Carney, Once
Oren Moveman & Todd Haynes, I'm Not There.

Winner: Oren Moveman & Todd Haynes

*****

Best Cast, Vocal
Nominees:
Futurama: Bender's Big Score
Ratatouille
Shrek the Third
The Simpsons Movie
Surf's Up

Movie Awards: BEST OF 2008

Here's a look at my "Best of 2008" awards. Enjoy!

*****

Best Animation
Nominees:
Bolt
Horton Hears a Who!
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir
Winner: WALL-E

*****

Best Visual Effects
Nominees:
Cloverfield
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Iron Man
Wanted
Winner: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

*****

Best Original Song
Nominees:
A.R. Rahman & Sukwinder Singh for "Jai Ho," Slumdog Millionaire
Angela Little for "By the Boab Tree," Australia
Bruce Springsteen for "The Wrestler," The Wrestler
Peter Gabriel for "Down to Earth," WALL-E
Russell Brand for "Inside of You," Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Winner: Russell Brand

*****

Best Original Score
Nominees:
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Danny Elfman, Milk
Hans Zimmer & John Powell, Kung Fu Panda
Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, The Visitor
Thomas Newman, WALL-E

Winner: Thomas Newman

*****

Best Cameo or Brief Appearance
Nominees:
Bill Hader, Pineapple Express
J.K. Simmons, Burn After Reading
Paul Rudd, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Tom Cruise, Tropic Thunder
Viola Davis, Doubt 

Winner: Tom Cruise

*****

Best Young Star
Nominees:
Bobb'e J. Thompson, Role Models
Brandon Walters, Australia
Eddie Alderson, Changeling
Lina Leandersson, Let the Right One In
Madeline Carroll, Swing Vote

Winner: Lina Leandersson

*****

Best Villain
Nominees:
Catherine Keener, An American Crime
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Josh Brolin, Milk
Morgan Freeman, Wanted
Ralph Fiennes, In Bruges 

Winner: Heath Ledger

*****

Best Vocal Performance
Nominees:
Jim Carrey, Horton Hears a Who!
Mark Walton, Bolt
Paul Bettany, Iron Man
Randall Duk Kim, Kung Fu Panda
Seth MacFarlane, Hellboy II: The Golden Army 

Winner: Paul Bettany

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Carly Pope, Young People Fucking
Hope Davis, Charlie Bartlett
Jane Lynch, Role Models
Kristen Bell, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona 

Winner: Penélope Cruz

*****

Best Supporting Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Amy Adams, Doubt
Catherine Keener, An American Crime
Evan Rachel Wood, The Wrestler
Katie Lyons, Boy A
Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married

Winner: Amy Adams

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Brad Pitt, Burn After Reading
James Franco, Pineapple Express
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Russell Brand, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Tony Kebbell, RocknRolla 

Winner: Robert Downey Jr.

*****

Best Supporting Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Haaz Sleiman, The Visitor
Heath Ledger,  The Dark Knight
James Franco, Milk
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Sam Rockwell, Frost/Nixon

Winner: Heath Ledger

*****

Best Actress, Comedy
Nominees:
Ellen Page, Smart People
Frances McDormand, Burn After Reading
Kat Dennings, Charlie Bartlett
Mila Kunis, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona 

Winner: Frances McDormand

*****

Best Actress, Drama
Nominees:
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt 

Winner: Kate Winslet

*****

Best Actor, Comedy
Nominees:
Anton Yelchin, Charlie Bartlett
Colin Farrell, In Bruges
George Clooney, Burn After Reading
Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man
Sam Rockwell, Choke 

Winner: Robert Downey Jr.

*****

Best Actor, Drama
Nominees:
Andrew Garfield, Boy A
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Sean Penn, Milk 

Winner: Sean Penn

*****

Best Director
Nominees:
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, Burn After Reading
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Tomas Alfredson, Let the Right One In

Winner: Christopher Nolan

*****

Best Screenplay, Comedy
Nominees:
Aaron Abrams & Martin Gero, Young People Fucking
Andrew Stanton & Jim Reardon, WALL-E
Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, Burn After Reading
Glenn Berger & Jonathan Aibel, Kung Fu Panda
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges

Winner: Andrew Stanton & Jim Reardon

*****

Best Screenplay, Drama
Nominees:
Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan, The Dark Knight
David Hare, The Reader
John Ajvide Lindqvist, Let the Right One In
Mark O'Rowe, Boy A
Robert D. Siegel, The Wrestelr 

Winner: Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan

*****
Best Cast, Vocal
Nominees:
Bolt
Futurama: Bender's Game
Horton Hears a Who!
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E

Winner: WALL-E

*****
Best Cast, Comedy
Nominees:
Burn After Reading
Charlie Bartlett
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Smart People
Young People Fucking

Winner: Burn After Reading

*****
Best Cast, Drama
Nominees:
Boy A
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Let the Right One In
Milk

Winner: Milk

*****

Best Documentary

Nominees:
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Man on Wire
Super High Me

Winner: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

*****
Best Foreign Language Film

Nominees:
Let the Right One In
Waltz with Bashir

Winner: Let the Right One In

*****

Best Animated Film

Nominees:
Bolt
Futurama: Bender's Game
Horton Hears a Who!
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E

Winner: WALL-E

*****
Best Horror/Thriller

Nominees:
Killer Movie
Teeth

Winner: Teeth

*****
Best Action/Adventure

Nominees:
Australia
The Dark Knight
RocknRolla
Traitor
Tropic Thunder

Winner: The Dark Knight

*****
Best Comedy

Nominees:
Burn After Reading
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
In Bruges
Tropic Thunder
Young People Fucking

Winner: Burn After Reading

*****
Best Drama

Nominees:
Boy A
Doubt
Let the Right One In
Milk
The Reader

Winner: Let the Right One In

*****
Best Picture of the Year

Nominees:
Burn After Reading
The Dark Knight
Let the Right One In
Milk
WALL-E

Winner: WALL-E

Movie Review: MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
1939

Directed by: Frank Capra

Starring: James Stewart, Claude Rains, Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold, Thomas Mitchell

Analysis: It's rare that a movie has the ability to absolutely blow you away. In my life, I've seen over 1100 films, and up to this point, I'd only given twenty-five an "A+" grade. I can happily say that Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is the twenty-sixth. Everything just clicks with this one, from the Oscar-winning screenplay to the utterly brilliant acting by Mr. Jimmy Stewart as the titular character.

Thrust into the spotlight as an honorary appointed senator, Jefferson Smith starts his political career sitting back, watching everything unfold under the lights of the capital of the greatest country in the world. A patriot of the first order, Mr. Smith finally decides to get his feet wet and creates a bill to open a national boys' camp in his home state. However, the location of his proposed camp falls on the same land as a proposed dam supported by his state's fellow senator and the extremely powerful lobbyist who's been running the show from behind the scenes for two decades. Appalled, Smith takes a stand and filibusters the Senate, using his every last bit of strength, energy and tenacity to turn the other senators to his side while outing the crooked politicians from his very own, beloved state.

The story is simple, yet the actual screenplay is extremely complex yet very easy to follow. Even back in 1940, against a lot of political opposition, the film went on the win the Oscar for Best Original Story. However, the real star, Jimmy Stewart, is absolutely breathtaking as the lead that made him a certified movie star. I've always been a fan of Mr. Stewart, but this only increased my admiration for the man. You can see the metamorphosis from the down-home, Southern man full of aspiration to the man angered so much by the system that he finally decides to take a stand for his own sense of morality. Yes, the supporting characters play their parts to a tee, but Stewart takes the cake this time around. Watching him is a true delight. I just wish I could be more like Mr. Jefferson Smith.

Movie Review Summary:
Score: 9.5/10
Grade: A+

Should You Watch It? YES

Movie Review: THE EXPENDABLES

The Expendables

2010

Rating: R (for strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language)

Directed by: Sylvester Stallone

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Giselle Itié, David Zayas, Mickey Rourke

Analysis: Going into The Expendables, I can honestly say I wasn't expecting much more than some big, dumb, testosterone-filled fun. When you put some of the biggest action stars of the last thirty years (Stallone, Statham, Li), add a couple of wrestling icons (Couture, Austin), and toss in a couple of well-placed cameos (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis), and all that should sum up to a big barrel of action-filled stupidity.

To be honest, I wasn't wrong. The film met and exceeded my expectations in nearly every regard; however, this doesn't make it a world-class action film the likes of Die Hard or Terminator 2. It is big. It is dumb. But it's definitely fun. There's a few scenes that absolutely make the movie. For example, the scene with Willis and Schwarzenegger is absolutely golden, and it epitomizes the stabs each star takes at one another throughout the movie. References to past work abound. In that sense, the screenplay is actually somewhat clever, but when it comes to the actual storyline, it's a little stale and unoriginal.

The most powerful scene in the movie doesn't come through cameos or through an onslaught of action. Mickey Rourke, who is entirely underutilized in this film, delivers one of the most harrowing scenes I've seen in any movie in recent past. He tells Stallone's character about seeing a woman jump from a bridge and plunge to her death, saying that he had the opportunity to save her but chose otherwise. The delivery is absolutely perfect from the Oscar-nominee, and it offers a little bit of softness for at least one of the characters in the film.

The chemistry between the ragtag team of mercenaries also helps the film along. This is epitomized with the relationship between Stallone and Statham, the two men seen most throughout the movie. Despite the extraordinary situations they are placed into, the relationships remain down-to-earth, giving the audience more access to relate to each individual. I think this helped keep me captivated with the movie, especially during the downtime between action sequences.

All in all, it's a big, dumb, fun movie with a few scenes that make it all worthwhile. If you want a testosterone rush, this one's for you.

Movie Review Summary:
Score: 5.6/10
Grade: C-

Should You Watch It? YES