Dunkirk
This film chronicles the great escape the British made at Dunkirk at the beginning of World War II. Overall, I didn't care for it that much. There were several scenes that I thought were added in to drum up the drama in what was an otherwise poor attempt to dramatize a great story. The fight on the rescue boat and the men trapped in the beached boat were the two most obvious scenes that I thought were poor attempts to dramatize this incredible story.
That being said, the cinematography in this film was outstanding to say the least. The dogfights in particular were beautifully shot. In addition to the dogfights, the scenes with the soldiers completely exposed on the beach were shot to exphasize the predicament they were in. I am not sure that was realistic (were the soldiers really going to stand on a dock in the wide open when they could be digging trenches and holes and spreading out on the beach?) I'm not sure of the accuracy shown but they were beautiful and I understand the artistic license shown.
Over all, I had no connection with these characters and really had no emotional involvement at all. The speech at the end is totally out of the blue and while stirring, did little to save the rest of a very poor script.
Overall rating 2.5/ 5.
Overall rating 2.5/ 5.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
This film has moved me more then any of the others in this year's class. The raw pain and emotion shown in several characters and their respective situations was brilliant. Frances McDormand should win best actress (all due respect to Sally Hawkins), Woody Harrelson would win in most years when Willem DeFoe doesn't give the performance of a lifetime), and Sam Rockwell was excellent as well.
This film tells the story of a mother who, after her teenage daughter is raped and murdered by an unknown and uncaught assailant, tries to blame the police for their lack of investigative prowess in her daughter's case. We find out later that this attempt is really a way to start the healing process in which she clearly feels as guilty as the killer. Her abusive husband, poverty, and lack of decorum only serve to add to the guilt she feels for her daughter's death.
The script, acting, directing, and technical aspects are all spot on. There are a few holes in the script that are there to allow McDormand's character to progress. By the end, you realize that this poor woman did little to deserve her fate and that she is fighting back in the only way she knows how. Watch this film before any of the other nominees. I don't think it will win best picture but it will be a close second.
Overall rating: 4.25/ 5
This film has moved me more then any of the others in this year's class. The raw pain and emotion shown in several characters and their respective situations was brilliant. Frances McDormand should win best actress (all due respect to Sally Hawkins), Woody Harrelson would win in most years when Willem DeFoe doesn't give the performance of a lifetime), and Sam Rockwell was excellent as well.
This film tells the story of a mother who, after her teenage daughter is raped and murdered by an unknown and uncaught assailant, tries to blame the police for their lack of investigative prowess in her daughter's case. We find out later that this attempt is really a way to start the healing process in which she clearly feels as guilty as the killer. Her abusive husband, poverty, and lack of decorum only serve to add to the guilt she feels for her daughter's death.
The script, acting, directing, and technical aspects are all spot on. There are a few holes in the script that are there to allow McDormand's character to progress. By the end, you realize that this poor woman did little to deserve her fate and that she is fighting back in the only way she knows how. Watch this film before any of the other nominees. I don't think it will win best picture but it will be a close second.
Overall rating: 4.25/ 5
The Shape of Water
This allegory for racial relations tries to bring awareness to the stupidity of prejudice. It tells the story of a mute woman who works as a janitor at a secret government lab. The government captures a half-fish, half-man creature and brings it there to study. Most of the people in the lab consider it a freak and do nothing but poke, prod, and torture him.
The only person who can see any value in the creature is, of course, the only person with a disability. Her other friends eventually help her break it out of the government facility so that they can pursue their romantic relationship. Her friends include a gay artist (because you have to be gay to be an artist) and an African American woman who works with her (who's question when finding out that her friend is having an affair with a half- fish man is where is his penis). The FBI agent who caught the fish man may have been Michael Fassbender's character from 12 Years a Slave. I couldn't get past the stereotypes in this movie to even consider it on it's own merits... besides the cinematography which was brilliant at times. Guillermo Del Toro is a master with the camera and, at times, this film does not disappoint.
All in all, I thought this film could have been a lot better with a little tweaking. Unfrotunately, I couldn't make it past the obvious faults.
Overall Rating: 1.5/ 5
Lady Bird
Saorsie Ronan is the real deal. She has appeared in Best Picture Nominees the last two years. If you haven't seen Brooklyn from last year, watch it. She is excellent as she was in Lady Bird. Lady Bird tells the coming of age story of a teenage girl who is finding her way through the teenage years in California. It was an entertaining story, filmed beautifully, and deserves nominations for best director, actress, and supporting actress. That being said, it wasn't anything we haven't seen before; despite being very well done. That being said, it was well done and entertaining and should be seen. I won't share any of the plot points because I don't want to spoil anything.
Well done, should be seen but not an Oscar winner.
Overall Rating: 4/ 5
Call Me By Your Name
Having just seen Lady Bird, I was hoping for a little more substance with Call Me By Your Name. Unfortunately, this coming of age story about a teenage boy having a summer fling with a 20something year old male didn't offer much in the way of groundbreaking content. Filmed in Italy and perfectly capturing the much more accepting European atmosphere, this film covered a short summer in the 80's (great music by the way) where 17 year old Elio falls for 20something old Oliver. Predictably, the 17 year old's heart is broken when the much more experienced Oliver leaves him and the relationship ends. Throughout the movie, we are faced with several instances where the sexual portion of their relationship is really focused on and we see just how passionate the two are with each other. Without ever showing anything pornographic, we understand this relationship was very intense for the few short weeks that it lasted.
The best part of the film occurs at the end when the father discusses the relationship with his son. I won't say the content but this is one of the best, most eye-opening speeches I have seen in quite a while. Worth watching for this conversation alone, the film ends on with mixed emotions; mirroring the same feelings that Elio must have felt. The old Tennyson line: "Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" creates the thesis that this movie addresses.
Despite the erotic homosexuality that is on display in this film, the film's provides us with a thought to keep pondering with our own relationships and the ones we love.
Overall rating 3/ 5
The Darkest Hour
Also dealing heavily with the British soldiers escape from Dunkirk, we see the same story through the eyes of recently appointed Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Played perfectly (say hello to the Best Actor winner) by Gary Oldman, we see Churchill as a flawed man doing his best in an impossible situation. As the Third Reich bears down on England, Churchill has to convince both the people of Britian and the others in government that they must not surrender.
I found this story much more compelling then the same basic content in Dunkirk. Oldman's performance was for the ages. The scene toward the end of the film on the train is the scene of the year without a doubt. Watch this film for both the historical content and the performance of Oldman.
Overall Rating 4.5/ 5
Phantom Thread
I had hopes for this film. Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Day Lewis' last film ever... etc. After watching it, I was slightly disappointed. The film was OK; just not the groundbreaking Oscar favorite I hoped for. The film centers on Daniel Day Lewis' character, Reynolds Woodcock, who is a turn of the century dressmaker for the stars. If Facebook were a thing back then, his status would be SINGLE and no chance to change it. He goes through women as quickly as he uses the fabric to make his dresses.
That is, until he meets Alma. She refuses to be thrown away and adapts to stay with him. In the process, she becomes as unlikeable as he is. I think that was the moral of the story here; two people can be perfect for each other, even if they are completely unlikeable to everyone around them.
The "Phantom Thread" that we each carry is the baggage we keep locked away for only those that are close to us to see. In the case of Reynolds Woodcock, his are his mommy issues which drive him to stay as far away from every woman (except his sister) as he can while still being able to woo them. Alma seems to have a slight inferiority complex which she refuses to give into when Reynolds tries to dump her like the rest. She quickly morphs into something way uglier then she started as in an effort to keep their relationship going.
I liked the premise of the movie. I just wished that either character was not so despisable to get there.
Overall Rating 2.5/ 5
The Post
Spielberg, Hanks, Streep, Spielberg's usual crew? Can you say, "And the Oscar goes to..." I had high hopes for this one and was not disappointed. Meryl Streep plays the owner of the Washington Post who had to decide if the paper would publish part of the McNamara report which showed the US Government cover-up of the Vietnam War data which exposed a string of presidential lies to the public.
The acting, directing, score, costumes, etc. were all first rate. I didn't see a flaw in the entire movie. The script and editing did a great job of creating and ratcheting up the suspense. I was absolutely invested in the entire movie from start to finish. This turned the Oscars into a three horse race in my book. If you have any interest at all in history, see this film.
Overall rating 5/ 5
Get Out
Easily the worst best picture nominee that I have seen in the last 10 years or so. To be honest, I was floored when I saw this nomination and after watching the film, it only furthered my opinion that the Academy is biased. But I digress. First to the film. The film tells the story of a black man dating an affluent white girl. They return home to her parent's house (in the middle of some woods in some backcountry- my guess is northeast but I could be wrong). The parents are very well off and seem to be accepting of all races. However, as the film progresses, we see their may be a cult working here. My confusion came at the end when we are given reason to believe that our main character may not have been chosen because of his race but because he had the eyes of a photographer. So what was billed as a racial movie and was widely assumed to be a cultural movie about race relations in fact turned out to not be such.
At the end of the film, I was unsure what the point was. I think it was just a horrorish cult film with the inevitable escape scenes at the end. In my mind, it was a reasonably well filmed B movie with a terrible script, decent, defintiely not great, acting and technical aspects but in no way was it an Oscar contender. I can't believe it was nominated which brings me back to the point I made in the 2nd sentence. The academy has been harshly criticized over the years as being biased for not including films of color. I totally agree and I see they are making progress toward rectifying that- as they should. That being said, it seems to me that in a year with a dearth of any color but white (which begs the question of how was Mudbound not even in the conversation?), the academy picked this movie because it was filmed by a black director and had a black star. Maybe I'm wrong but I have a very hard time figuring out how to equate this film with others in the category.
Overall Rating .1/ 5
This allegory for racial relations tries to bring awareness to the stupidity of prejudice. It tells the story of a mute woman who works as a janitor at a secret government lab. The government captures a half-fish, half-man creature and brings it there to study. Most of the people in the lab consider it a freak and do nothing but poke, prod, and torture him.
The only person who can see any value in the creature is, of course, the only person with a disability. Her other friends eventually help her break it out of the government facility so that they can pursue their romantic relationship. Her friends include a gay artist (because you have to be gay to be an artist) and an African American woman who works with her (who's question when finding out that her friend is having an affair with a half- fish man is where is his penis). The FBI agent who caught the fish man may have been Michael Fassbender's character from 12 Years a Slave. I couldn't get past the stereotypes in this movie to even consider it on it's own merits... besides the cinematography which was brilliant at times. Guillermo Del Toro is a master with the camera and, at times, this film does not disappoint.
All in all, I thought this film could have been a lot better with a little tweaking. Unfrotunately, I couldn't make it past the obvious faults.
Overall Rating: 1.5/ 5
Lady Bird
Saorsie Ronan is the real deal. She has appeared in Best Picture Nominees the last two years. If you haven't seen Brooklyn from last year, watch it. She is excellent as she was in Lady Bird. Lady Bird tells the coming of age story of a teenage girl who is finding her way through the teenage years in California. It was an entertaining story, filmed beautifully, and deserves nominations for best director, actress, and supporting actress. That being said, it wasn't anything we haven't seen before; despite being very well done. That being said, it was well done and entertaining and should be seen. I won't share any of the plot points because I don't want to spoil anything.
Well done, should be seen but not an Oscar winner.
Overall Rating: 4/ 5
Call Me By Your Name
Having just seen Lady Bird, I was hoping for a little more substance with Call Me By Your Name. Unfortunately, this coming of age story about a teenage boy having a summer fling with a 20something year old male didn't offer much in the way of groundbreaking content. Filmed in Italy and perfectly capturing the much more accepting European atmosphere, this film covered a short summer in the 80's (great music by the way) where 17 year old Elio falls for 20something old Oliver. Predictably, the 17 year old's heart is broken when the much more experienced Oliver leaves him and the relationship ends. Throughout the movie, we are faced with several instances where the sexual portion of their relationship is really focused on and we see just how passionate the two are with each other. Without ever showing anything pornographic, we understand this relationship was very intense for the few short weeks that it lasted.
The best part of the film occurs at the end when the father discusses the relationship with his son. I won't say the content but this is one of the best, most eye-opening speeches I have seen in quite a while. Worth watching for this conversation alone, the film ends on with mixed emotions; mirroring the same feelings that Elio must have felt. The old Tennyson line: "Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" creates the thesis that this movie addresses.
Despite the erotic homosexuality that is on display in this film, the film's provides us with a thought to keep pondering with our own relationships and the ones we love.
Overall rating 3/ 5
The Darkest Hour
Also dealing heavily with the British soldiers escape from Dunkirk, we see the same story through the eyes of recently appointed Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Played perfectly (say hello to the Best Actor winner) by Gary Oldman, we see Churchill as a flawed man doing his best in an impossible situation. As the Third Reich bears down on England, Churchill has to convince both the people of Britian and the others in government that they must not surrender.
I found this story much more compelling then the same basic content in Dunkirk. Oldman's performance was for the ages. The scene toward the end of the film on the train is the scene of the year without a doubt. Watch this film for both the historical content and the performance of Oldman.
Overall Rating 4.5/ 5
Phantom Thread
I had hopes for this film. Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Day Lewis' last film ever... etc. After watching it, I was slightly disappointed. The film was OK; just not the groundbreaking Oscar favorite I hoped for. The film centers on Daniel Day Lewis' character, Reynolds Woodcock, who is a turn of the century dressmaker for the stars. If Facebook were a thing back then, his status would be SINGLE and no chance to change it. He goes through women as quickly as he uses the fabric to make his dresses.
That is, until he meets Alma. She refuses to be thrown away and adapts to stay with him. In the process, she becomes as unlikeable as he is. I think that was the moral of the story here; two people can be perfect for each other, even if they are completely unlikeable to everyone around them.
The "Phantom Thread" that we each carry is the baggage we keep locked away for only those that are close to us to see. In the case of Reynolds Woodcock, his are his mommy issues which drive him to stay as far away from every woman (except his sister) as he can while still being able to woo them. Alma seems to have a slight inferiority complex which she refuses to give into when Reynolds tries to dump her like the rest. She quickly morphs into something way uglier then she started as in an effort to keep their relationship going.
I liked the premise of the movie. I just wished that either character was not so despisable to get there.
Overall Rating 2.5/ 5
The Post
Spielberg, Hanks, Streep, Spielberg's usual crew? Can you say, "And the Oscar goes to..." I had high hopes for this one and was not disappointed. Meryl Streep plays the owner of the Washington Post who had to decide if the paper would publish part of the McNamara report which showed the US Government cover-up of the Vietnam War data which exposed a string of presidential lies to the public.
The acting, directing, score, costumes, etc. were all first rate. I didn't see a flaw in the entire movie. The script and editing did a great job of creating and ratcheting up the suspense. I was absolutely invested in the entire movie from start to finish. This turned the Oscars into a three horse race in my book. If you have any interest at all in history, see this film.
Overall rating 5/ 5
Get Out
Easily the worst best picture nominee that I have seen in the last 10 years or so. To be honest, I was floored when I saw this nomination and after watching the film, it only furthered my opinion that the Academy is biased. But I digress. First to the film. The film tells the story of a black man dating an affluent white girl. They return home to her parent's house (in the middle of some woods in some backcountry- my guess is northeast but I could be wrong). The parents are very well off and seem to be accepting of all races. However, as the film progresses, we see their may be a cult working here. My confusion came at the end when we are given reason to believe that our main character may not have been chosen because of his race but because he had the eyes of a photographer. So what was billed as a racial movie and was widely assumed to be a cultural movie about race relations in fact turned out to not be such.
At the end of the film, I was unsure what the point was. I think it was just a horrorish cult film with the inevitable escape scenes at the end. In my mind, it was a reasonably well filmed B movie with a terrible script, decent, defintiely not great, acting and technical aspects but in no way was it an Oscar contender. I can't believe it was nominated which brings me back to the point I made in the 2nd sentence. The academy has been harshly criticized over the years as being biased for not including films of color. I totally agree and I see they are making progress toward rectifying that- as they should. That being said, it seems to me that in a year with a dearth of any color but white (which begs the question of how was Mudbound not even in the conversation?), the academy picked this movie because it was filmed by a black director and had a black star. Maybe I'm wrong but I have a very hard time figuring out how to equate this film with others in the category.
Overall Rating .1/ 5
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