Oscar Ritual 2008 : MICHAEL CLAYTON

DVD viewing
Nominated for Best Picture, Director, Actor (George Clooney), Supporting Actress (Tilda Swinton), Supporting Actor (Tom Wilkinson), Original Screenplay, and Original Score

For all the critical acclaim for Michael Clayton I certainly expected a better film. It’s not a bad film; it’s just not all I hoped it would be. Sure, George Clooney is fantastic and [...]

My favorite (TV) night of the year

2008 Oscars
Moreso every year, there are fewer surprises in the Academy Awards, and the constant media predictions have increasingly determined more and more winners than ever in history. In the past few years I’ve seen frontrunners left behind in favor of little-known or little-seen performances simply because the media circled around the latter and put [...]

Oscar Ritual 2008 : AMERICAN GANGSTER

DVD viewing
Nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee) and Art Direction

The casting of Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in opposing character roles ought to be enough to make a film excellent. Adding a gritty storyline to that mix is certainly a good idea, as is fleshing out the cast with a force of talented actors [...]

Oscar Ritual 2008 : GONE BABY GONE

DVD Rental
Nominated for Supporting Actress (Amy Ryan)

There were myriad reasons I was interested in Gone Baby Gone, not the least of which was hearing such critical acclaim for Ben Affleck, continuing to prove that he has finally returned to the strengths which first brought him accolade in Hollywood. The Oscar nomination for Amy Ryan was [...]

JUMPER

February 15, 2008 at Movies 16, Allen, Texas

My first awareness of Jumper came in January of this year when the trailer aired on television. It was lucky I even caught it as I always skip forward past all advertisements while watching my favorite tv shows, but in the momentary glimpse as I skipped past it [...]

Oscar Ritual 2008 : ELIZABETH – THE GOLDEN AGE

DVD viewing
Nominated for Best Actress (Cate Blanchett) and Costume Design

I knew very little about Elizabeth: The Golden Age beyond the fact that it is a sequel to 1998’s Elizabeth and features the same principal actors in their roles. While I did see the first film, I cannot say I truly enjoyed it, but rather was [...]

Oscar Ritual 2008 : THE SAVAGES

February 10, 2008, at Angelika Film Center, Dallas, Texas
Nominated for Best Actress (Laura Linney) and Original Screenplay

Though billed as a comedy, The Savages would more aptly be categorized a “comedy of life” for the realism that ran through the entire film. Watching this film made me realize just how overstimulated I am in my entertainment [...]

Oscar Ritual 2008 : THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD

DVD viewing
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck) and Cinematography

Before renting The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, I knew little of the film other than its two stars and the title. That turned out to be a very good thing; my opinion might have been tainted had the filmed been described [...]

Oscar Ritual 2008 : EASTERN PROMISES

DVD viewing
Nominated for Best Actor (Viggo Mortensen)

It was never my intent to see Eastern Promises. The only draw for me was Viggo Mortensen, but I expected the material to be so violent that I would find no enjoyment in the film. Still, my curiosity lingered, and its inclusion in the Academy Awards nomination list drew [...]

2008 Oscar Ritual : AWAY FROM HER

DVD viewing
Nominated for Best Actress (Julie Christie) and Adapted Screenplay

Much acclaim has been focused toward Julie Christie for her performance as a woman afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, all of which is due, but the real heart of Away From Her lies in Gordon Pinsent’s aggrieved husband. His performance is moving and heartbreaking and captivating during [...]