Film Review -- Foxcatcher

Directed by Bennett Miller, the film stars Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo. In the late 1980s, Olympic gold medal-winning wrestlers and brothers Mark (Tatum) and Dave (Ruffalo) move to Foxcatcher Farms in Pennsylvania to train in its wrestling facility for the 1988 Seoul Olympics under the tutelage of owner John Du Pont (Carrell), the eccentric heir to the Du Pont family fortune. What starts out as a partnership between two athletes hoping to achieve success as a means to provide a stable future for themselves and their families and a wrestling enthusiast with resources to invest in it soon turns dangerous as Du Pont's mental state deteriorates, culminating in a tragic outcome. The first praiseworthy element of the film is the acting. The three leads all give excellent performances, but Steve Carrell, who sheds his comedic roots to completely transform into the mysterious, deranged Du Pont, is particularly outstanding, and will hopefully receive recognition for it come awards season. The script and direction were also strong, and the story itself is fascinating. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel underwhelmed by Foxcatcher. With such an exciting story to work with, I hoped that the film would have had more energy, more suspense, and a more gripping climax (the end was almost anti-climatic). The film, therefore, didn't hold my attention the way I thought it would. It's hard to put into words exactly what didn't work with Foxcatcher, because it wasn't a specific factor. For me, it had more to do with the style and tone chosen for the film, and the result was a story that had all the potential to be extremely tense and suspenseful but instead was quite subdued. It's still a good film, however, and is worth a watch.

Should you see it: Yes

Grade: B

Film Review -- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Elizabeth Banks, and Woody Harrelson. After the dramatic end to her second Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) is taken in, along with the other survivors of the now-decimated District 12, by District 13 and its charismatic president, Alma Coin (Moore). Soon, she finds herself as the reluctant symbol of a mounting rebellion by the districts against the Capitol, and represents their only hope for unity and any chance of succeeding. As she progressively embraces the cause and the role she is given in it, Katniss must confront the reality that her participation in this war possibly means sacrificing Peeta's life, as he was taken hostage and tortured by the Capitol as a means to deter Katniss from assuming the role of the Mockingjay. The film is an adaptation of the first part of the final book in a trilogy; a ploy, undoubtedly, designed to maximize the profit of a highly successful franchise. This, however, created significant problems in storytelling and plot development. When I read the third book, I thought it could have easily been adapted into a single film, so the material had to be stretched pretty thin in order to produce two two-hour films, and the result is an action film with not much action in it. The far too many shots of scenery and facial expressions, obviously included just to fill time, created an overall pace and tone to the film that wasn't exciting or suspenseful, but just pretty boring. The problem, for me, wasn't with the script - I thought it was well done, just as in the first two films, as it remained reasonably faithful to its source material - but rather with the need to have divided the third book into two separate films. What could have been an excellent concluding chapter was instead unnecessarily split into two weak pieces in the name of monetary profit. Was the film still an above average young adult sci-fi film? Yes. Could it have been significantly better? Absolutely.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B-

Film Review -- Boyhood

Directed and co-written by Richard Linklater, the film stars Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, and Lorelai Linklater. Filmed over a span of twelve years - a little was filmed every summer - it tells the story of Mason (Coltrane) and his family from when he was five until he leaves for college. This film has been universally praised by critics (99% on Rotten Tomatoes!) and viewers alike. It is therefore needless to say that this film really sparked my interest, and I was honestly expecting to be blown away by it, just like everyone else was. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. This film is unquestionably epic from a cinematic standpoint, as it remained consistent in tone and seamless in transition in its entirety, something I can imagine to be extremely tricky to pull off when you're filming it for more than a decade. That tone, however, is the problem with Boyhood. The film attempts to depict "real life" as closely as possible, and succeeds - to a fault, even. Watching the same actors grow up on screen as opposed to different actors playing different ages adds a "realness" to the film that I've never seen in another, and I certainly appreciate the magnitude of this achievement. The problem is that the "real life" of most typical American middle-class families does not translate into interesting subject matter for a film. Watching it feels like watching a report of the most important events of each year in the life of a boy in whom I am never given any real reason to be invested in. With no conventional plot development, this format gets tired REALLY quickly, and at three hours (!), the film long overstayed its welcome. Sadly I have to disagree with everybody and say that I found the film to be boring, boring, boring. It could have been half as long and still made its point effectively, and by that third hour, I was not only not interested anymore, but felt tempted to shut the film off several times. Watch it for its technical achievements, which truly are spectacular, but be prepared to watch three hours of nothing - really, nothing - happen. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B-

2015 Golden Globe Nominations

Here is the full list of nominees of the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards. Winners will be announced via live ceremony on Sunday, January 11.

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Boyhood
Foxcatcher
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything

Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Steve Carell – Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game
Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler
David Oyelowo – Selma
Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything

Lead Actress in a Motion Picture- Drama
Jennifer Aniston – Cake
Felicity Jones – The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore – Still Alice
Rosamund Pike – Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon – Wild

Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Birdman
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Into the Woods
Pride
St. Vincent

Lead Actor in a Motion Picture- Comedy or Musical
Ralph Fiennes – Grand Budapest Hotel
Michael Keaton – Birdman
Bill Murray – St. Vincent
Joaquin Phoenix – Inherent Vice
Christoph Waltz – Big Eyes

Lead Actress in a Motion Picture- Comedy or Musical
Amy Adams – Big Eyes
Emily Blunt – Into the Woods
Helen Mirren – The Hundred-Foot Journey
Julianne Moore – Maps to the Stars
Quvenzhané Wallis – Annie

Director
Wes Anderson – Grand Budapest Hotel
David Fincher – Gone Girl
Ava DuVernay – Selma
Alejandro G. Inarritu – Birdman
Richard Linklater – Boyhood

Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Robert Duvall – The Judge
Ethan Hawke – Boyhood
Edward Norton – Birdman
Mark Ruffalo – Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

Supporting Actress  in a Motion Picture
Patricia Arquette – Boyhood
Jessica Chastain – A Most Violent Year
Keira Knightley – The Imitation Game
Emma Stone – Birdman
Meryl Streep – Into the Woods

Screenplay
Wes Anderson – The Grand Budapest Hotel
Gillian Flynn – Gone Girl
Alejandro G. Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo – Birdman
Richard Linklater – Boyhood
Graham Moore – The Imitation Game

Animated Feature
Big Hero 6
The Book of Life
Boxtrolls
How to Train Your Dragon 2
The Lego Movie

Foreign Film
Force Majeure (Turist), Sweden
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem Gett, Israel
Ida, Poland/Denmark
Leviathan, Russia
Tangerines (Mandariinid), Estonia

Original Song – Motion Picture
Big Eyes – Big Eyes (Lana Del Rey)
Glory – Selma (John Legend, Common)
Mercy Is – Noah (Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye)
Opportunity – Annie (Greg Kurstin, Sia Furler, Will Gluck)
Yellow Flicker Beat – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 (Lorde)

Original Score – Motion Picture
Alexandre Desplat – The Imitation Game
Johann Johannsson – The Theory of Everything
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross – Gone Girl
Antonio Sanchez – Birdman
Hans Zimmer – Interstellar

Best TV Drama
The Affair
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
House of Cards

Lead Actor – TV Drama
Clive Owen – The Knick
Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey – House of Cards
James Spader – The Blacklist
Dominic West – The Affair

Lead Actress – TV Drama
Claire Danes – Homeland
Viola Davis – How to Get Away With Murder
Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife
Ruth Wilson – The Affair
Robin Wright – House of Cards

TV Miniseries or Movie
Fargo
The Missing
True Detective
The Normal Heart
Olive Kitteridge

Actor – TV Miniseries or Movie
Martin Freeman – Fargo
Woody Harrelson – True Detective
Matthew McConaughey – True Detective
Mark Ruffalo – The Normal Heart
Billy Bob Thornton – Fargo

Actress – TV Miniseries or Movie
Maggie Gyllenhaal – The Honorable Woman
Jessica Lange – American Horror Story: Freak Show
Frances McDormand – Olive Kitteridge
Frances O’Connor – The Missing
Alison Tolman – Fargo

Best TV Comedy
Girls
Jane the Virgin
Orange Is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Transparent

Lead Actor – TV Comedy
Don Cheadle – House of Lies
Ricky Gervais – Derek
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent
Louis C.K. – Louie
William H. Macy – Shameless

Lead Actress – TV Comedy
Lena Dunham – Girls
Edie Falco – Nurse Jackie
Gina Rodriguez – Jane the Virgin
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep
Taylor Schilling – Orange Is the New Black

Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or TV movie
Matt Bomer – The Normal Heart
Alan Cumming – The Good Wife
Colin Hanks – Fargo
Bill Murray – Olive Kitteridge
Jon Voight – Ray Donovan

Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or TV movie
Uzo Aduba – Orange Is the New Black
Kathy Bates – American Horror Story: Freak Show
Joanne Froggatt – Downton Abbey
Allison Janney – Mom
Michelle Monaghan – True Detective

2015 SAG Awards Nominations

Awards Season is officially in full swing with today's 2015 SAG Awards nominations announcement! The winners will be announced live on January 25. Here is a full list of the nominees:

FILM

Best Ensemble Cast

Birdman

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

The Theory of Everything

Best Actor

Steve Carell- Foxcatcher

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game

Jake Gyllenhaal - Nightcrawler

Michael Keaton  - Birdman

Eddie Redmayne - The Theory of Everything

Best Actress

Jennifer Aniston - Cake

Felicity Jones - The Theory of Everything

Julianne Moore - Still Alice

Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl

Reese Witherspoon - Wild

Best Supporting Actor

Robert Duvall - The Judge

Ethan Hawke - Boyhood

Edward Norton - Birdman

Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher

JK Simmons - Whiplash

Best Supporting Actress

Patricia Arquette - Boyhood

Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game

Emma Stone - Birdman

Meryl Streep - Into the Woods

Naomi Watts - St. Vincent

TELEVISION

Best Ensemble Cast (Drama)

Boardwalk Empire

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Homeland

House of Cards

Best Ensemble Cast (Comedy)

The Big Bang Theory

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Modern Family

Orange Is The New Black

Veep

Best Actor (Drama)

Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire

Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones

Woody Harrelson - True Detective

Matthew McConaughey - True Detective

Kevin Spacey - House of Cards

Best Actress (Drama)

Claire Danes - Homeland

Viola Davis - How To Get Away With Murder

Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife

Tatiane Maslany - Orphan Black

Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey

Robin Wright - House of Cards

Best Actor (Comedy)

Ty Burrell - Modern Family

Louis CK - Louie

William H Macy - Shameless

Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family

Best Actress (Comedy)

Uzo Aduba - Orange Is The New Black

Julie Bowen - Modern Family

Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie

Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep

Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation

Best Actor (TV movie or miniseries)

Adrien Brody - Houdini

Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock: His Last Vow

Richard Jenkins - Oliver Kitteridge

Mark Ruffalo - The Normal Heart

Billy Bob Thornton - Fargo

Best Actress (TV movie or miniseries)

Ellen Burstyn - Flowers In The Attic

Maggie Gyllenhaal - The Honorable Woman

Frances McDormand - Olive Kitteridge

Julia Roberts - The Normal Heart

Cicely Tyson - The Trip To Bountiful

Film Review -- Interstellar

The much-anticipated new film from Christopher Nolan stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, and Matt Damon. In the not-so-distant future, the Earth will have been rendered practically inhospitable, both by mankind's actions and by a devastating blight that has affected most of the world's crops. Murph (Mackenzie Foy), ten-year-old daughter of Cooper (McConaughey), a space pilot-turned-farmer, senses a mysterious force in her bedroom, which she initially believes is a ghost. It reveals coordinates that lead Murph and Cooper to the top-secret NASA headquarters, which must now operate in complete secrecy because public funding for space exploration would be viewed as lunacy in a famine-stricken world. There, Cooper reunites with his old colleague, Professor Brand (Caine), and his daughter, Dr. Amelia Brand (Hathaway). They convince him to pilot an ambitious mission to try to save the human species. A wormhole discovered near Saturn (which, since they are artificial, no one knows who places there) leads to another galaxy that hosts three potential habitable planets. Cooper and Dr. Brand, along with physicist Romilly (David Gyasi), geographer Doyle (Wes Bently), and two intelligent robots, TARS and CASE (voiced by Bill Irwin and Josh Stewart, respectively) must travel to these planets, already inhabited by one scientist each, who were sent on an earlier mission, to determine if any of them is capable of being humankind's new home. In accepting this mission, Cooper must come to terms with the fact that time is relative, and therefore that by the time he returns - if he ever returns - he will have missed most of his children's lives, something that grown-up physicist Murph (Chastain) deeply resents. The ambitiousness of Interstellar is undeniable. It is truly a groundbreaking visual masterpiece, and just gorgeous to watch (and absolutely worth the extra cost to be seen in XD/IMAX). The plot itself has some obvious problems, and although I am a stickler for good storytelling, plot inconsistencies are usually easier to forgive in well-done sci-fi, and even easier when it packs such an incredible visual punch as this film does. Even so, the story does impressively hold its own throughout the three-hour running time, and for that I had no problem suspending my disbelief. Interstellar is a breathtaking film that will certainly rank among my favorite films of the year. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- The Judge

The Judge is a 2014 drama directed by David Dobkin and stars Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Dax Shephard, and Jeremy Strong. Successful Chicago lawyer Hank Palmer (Downey Jr.) reluctantly returns to his small hometown of Carlinville, Indiana to attend his mother's funeral. The sad event forces Hank to confront his strained relationship with his family, mainly his brothers Glen (D'Onofrio) and Dale (Strong), and his father, Joseph (Duvall), the town's beloved judge. Only a couple of days later, Joseph is accused of running over a recently released convict whose case was the judge's biggest regret. It is up to Hank to defend his father and save his legacy. The film's premise is very interesting, as it is both a mystery/thriller as well as a family drama. However, I thought that these elements were poorly executed; the plot was predictable and there was just too much family drama, almost to the point of unbelievable (it plays out as a male-driven August: Osage County, since there's everything from secrets to betrayal to incest). It isn't all bad though, with the excellent performances being the standout, especially from the central Downey Jr.-Duval duo. With a running time of almost two-and-a-half hours, The Judge is ultimately an over-long, soap opera-ish melodrama that doesn't quite live up to its potential.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B-

Film Review -- Gone Girl

Based on the book by Gillian Flynn, who also adapted the screenplay, the film is directed by David Fincher and stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, and Carrie Coon. The beautiful and intelligent Amy Elliott Dunne (Pike) disappears from her home in North Carthage, Missouri, on her five-year wedding anniversary. Her husband, Nick (Affleck) quickly becomes the prime suspect in the case. Amy, the inspiration behind her parents' once-successful "Amazing Amy" children's book series and a lifetime New Yorker, was unhappy and lonely living in her husband's small hometown, having been forced to move after both of them lost their jobs as writers in NYC. With the last of her trust fund, she helps Nick buy a bar - The Bar - downtown, which he runs with his twin sister, Margo (Coon). As the idyllic life they knew slips further and further away, the disintegration of their marriage is told in (mostly) two perspectives - Nick's, who recounts the events after his wife's disappearance, and Amy's, who paints the viewers a picture, through flashback diary entries, of the couple's happier days in New York. As the truth about what happened to Amy unravels, the viewer is taken on a shocking ride full of twists, turns, and secrets. This film is one of the very few examples of a film being better than the book. I found the book, while gripping and suspenseful in its first half, to be ultimately unsatisfying, as I was very disappointed by the second half. In case someone hasn't seen it yet, I'll keep specifics to a minimum, but I found the ending to be completely unrealistic and unbelievable. Although the ending is kept pretty much the same in the film, for some reason it worked better on the screen. This, undoubtedly, is due mainly to Fincher, Affleck and Pike. The director does a great job in creating a brooding, mysterious and visually beautiful backdrop, with the film being perfectly paced and styled. All of the actors are excellent, but especially the two leads, who nail their characters and portray them exactly how I had pictured in the book. The plot, although much improved in film format, continues to be VERY weak in many spots, but ultimately the other well-done elements turn it into a surprisingly good film. I wasn't expecting to like it very much, based on my disappointment with the book, but Gone Girl definitely makes for an entertaining, impressive film. 

Should you see it: Yes

Grade: B+

Film Review -- Begin Again

Written and directed by John Carney, this musical comedy stars Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, and Catherine Keener. Dan Mulligan (Ruffalo) is down on his luck, both professionally and personally. Once a hugely successful music producer, he hasn't been able to recruit any new and exciting talent in quite awhile, largely due to his troubles at home --he is separated from his wife, Miriam (Keener), who left him for a doomed affair, and his relationship with his daughter, Violet (Steinfeld) is strained. One night, drunk and miserable, he hears Gretta (Knightley) sing at a rock club. Immediately recognizing her potential as a singer-songwriter (and seeing her as his potential ticket back into his label), he attempts to convince her to sign with him. She, however, has complications of her own, particularly in the form of lingering feelings for her cheating ex, Dave (Levine). As Dan and Greta set out to make their record - outdoors, in different parts of New York City - they both end up finding themselves along the way. It isn't surprising that this film is the work of Carney, the same man behind Once, one of the best musical films I've ever seen. This "American" version is more lighthearted, but really, really enjoyable. Knightley and Ruffalo are perfectly cast (and even Levine works), the script is funny and poignant and, best of all, the film steers clear of many tired rom-com clichés. And the music, to boot, is pretty great (my favorites - "Lost Stars" and "A Higher Place"). There are many reasons to go see this feel-good, touching film. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

The sequel of the prequel of the original sci-fi series (whew!) is directed by Matt Reeves and stars Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, and Gary Oldman. The film begins many years after Caesar, the chimpanzee whose abilities were heightened by an experimental drug, infects and frees other apes to form a powerful army. The ape colony now lives undisturbed in the mountains near San Francisco, a shadow of the city it once was after the so-called "Simian Flu" wipes out half of the planet's human population. Desperate to find an alternate power source to fuel the city, a group -- among them Malcolm (Clarke), Ellie (Russell), Alexander (Kodi Smit- McPhee), Foster (Jon Eyez), and Carver (Kirk Acevedo) -- venture into the woods to locate an abandoned dam that could be the solution they're searching for. Their interaction with the apes leads to a crossroads in the coexistence of the two species, and their bonds of trust will be tested as both fight to survive. Although it's been a while since I've seen Rise of the Planet of the Apes, I'd say that I enjoyed the films equally. I thought that the story of this film was very well-executed, as the plot was about as airtight as a sci-fi plot can be. I appreciated its simplicity; the writers did not attempt to construct an overly-complex narrative that would be nearly impossible to pull off in two hours. Instead, the tone and pace of the film were very solid. As in the first film, the CGI is remarkable. The lifelikeness of the apes is extraordinary, and professionals such as the terrific Andy Serkis continue to redefine the scope and range of an actor. In short, Dawn is an entertaining and worthy sequel, and sci-fi film in general.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- X-Men: Days of Future Past

The next installment of Brian Singer's new X-Men franchise stars Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy, Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, and Halle Berry. Trapped in a dystopian, war-drenched world where mutants are actively hunted, Charles Xavier and Magneto (Stewart and McKellen) summon Wolverine (Jackman) to execute a dangerous, desperate plan to save their future: send Wolverine back into the past -- 1973, to be exact -- to stop Mystique (Lawrence) from killing famed scientist Dr. Bolivar Trask (Dinklage), the inventor of the Sentinel machines that would be responsible for the killing of the mutants in the war. Mystique's actions would result in her capture and subsequent torture, so that her shapeshifting powers could be harnessed to create the Sentinels' power of adapting to and overcoming any ability of their mutant foe. It is thus crucial for Wolverine to prevent Mystique from being captured, all while dealing with a debilitated young Charles (McAvoy) and the volatile young Magneto (Fassbender). I found this sequel to be on par with its predecessor, First Class, which is an impressive feat for a sequel. The story is interesting and well-executed, the ideal mix of plot development and special effects. Of course, since we are dealing with an action blockbuster, there are a few plot holes, but that is to be expected. All things considered, this film succeeds at being an entertaining franchise installment with the added bonus of having substance, too.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- The Grand Budapest Hotel

Written and directed by Wes Anderson, the film features a brilliant cast in Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Saiorse Ronan, and Tony Revolori. In the 1930s, in the fictional Eastern European nation of Zubrowka, sits the majestic Grand Budapest Hotel, one of the finest in the world, and a model for opulence and luxury. Its devoted concierge is M. Gustave (Fiennes), who takes a young refugee lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (Revolori), under his wing. Together, they must set out on a wild adventure to prove M. Gustave's innocence when he is accused of the murder of an elderly hotel client, Madame D. (Swinton) by her evil son, Dmitri (Brody).  I was skeptical at first to see this film because Wes Anderson's filmmaking vision is definitely not my cup of tea. Two of his recent features, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Moonrise Kingdom, I freely admit that I did not enjoy. However, in Budapest, his "crazy" style absolutely works, and works brilliantly well. The overflowing energy of the actors, the colorful sets, the melodramatic score, and the sharp dialogue create a whimsical and entertaining narrative. This is one of those films where its essence is difficult to put into words, since so much of what works is a combination of visual and auditory elements that create a filmgoing experience. In addition to being almost fairy tale-like in its storytelling, the film also succeeds in being a poignant and melancholy critic of the destruction that the rise of Fascism inflicted upon ordinary people in that time. The viewers only get to experience the once opulent Grand Budapest Hotel through the lens of an aging Zero (Abraham), now owner of the empty and decaying palace -- its business destroyed by the second World War and communism -- telling this fantastical murder mystery story to a young Author (Law). This is truly a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable film, and a triumph of imaginative filmmaking. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A+

2014 Emmy Nominations

Nominations for the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, airing on Monday, August 25, and here is a complete list of nominees!

OUTSTANDING DRAMA
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
House of Cards
Mad Men
True Detective

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Lizzy Caplan, Masters of Sex
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Claire Danes, Homeland
Robin Wright, House of Cards

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Woody Harrelson, True Detective
Matthew McConaughey, True Detective
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Jim Carter, Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Margo Martindale, The Americans
Diana Rigg, Game of Thrones
Kate Mara, House of Cards
Allison Janney, Masters of Sex
Jane Fonda, The Newsroom
Kate Burton, Scandal

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Paul Giamatti, Downton Abbey
Dylan Baker, The Good Wife
Reg E Cathey, House of Cards
Robert Morse, Mad Men
Beau Bridges, Masters of Sex
Joe Morton, Scandal

OUTSTANDING COMEDY
The Big Bang Theory
Louie
Modern Family
Orange Is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Veep

OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
Taylor Schilling, Orange Is the New Black

OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Louis CK, Louie
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Ricky Gervais, Derek
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
William H Macy, Shameless
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Allison Janney, Mom
Kate Mulgrew, Orange Is the New Black
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Anna Chlumsky, Veep

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Adam Driver, Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Fred Armisen, Portlandia
Tony Hale, Veep

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Natasha Lyonne, Orange Is the New Black
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Laverne Cox, Orange Is the New Black
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
Joan Cusack, Shameless

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Steve Buscemi, Portlandia J
immy Fallon, Saturday Night Live
Louis C.K., Saturday Night Live
Gary Cole, Veep

OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW HOST
Betty White, Betty White’s Off Their Rockers
Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars
Jane Lynch, Hollywood Game Night
Heidi Klum/Tim Gunn, Project Runway
Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
Anthony Bourdain, The Taste

OUTSTANDING REALITY SHOW COMPETITION
The Amazing Race
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Top Chef
The Voice

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Real Time with Bill Maher
Saturday Night Live
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

OUTSTANDING TV MINISERIES
American Horror Story: Coven
Bonnie & Clyde
Fargo
Luther
Treme
The White Queen

OUTSTANDING TV MOVIE
Killing Kennedy
Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight
The Normal Heart
Sherlock: His Last Vow
The Trip to Bountiful

LEAD ACTRESS IN A TV MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Helena Bonham Carter, Burton and Taylor
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven
Minnie Driver, Return to Zero
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Coven
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful
Kristen Wiig, The Spoils of Babylon

LEAD ACTOR IN A TV MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock: His Last Vow
Idris Elba, Luther
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dancing On the Edge
Martin Freeman, Fargo
Billy Bob Thornton, Fargo
Mark Ruffalo, The Normal Heart

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Frances Conroy, American Horror Story: Coven
Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Coven 
Angela Bassett, American Horror Story: Coven
Allison Tolman, Fargo
Ellen Burstyn, Flowers in the Attic
Julia Roberts, The Normal Heart

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Colin Hanks, Fargo
Jim Parsons, The Normal Heart
Joe Mantello, The Normal Heart
Alfred Molina, The Normal Heart
Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart
Martin Freeman, Sherlock: His Last Vow

Film Review -- Edge of Tomorrow

The new Tom Cruise sci-fi blockbuster is directed by Doug Liman and also stars Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson. In the near future, a powerful alien army invades Earth. Officer Will Cage (Cruise), who is used to sitting in the sidelines by being a media liaison, suddenly finds himself forced into active duty. Not knowing how to correctly operate his high-tech body armor, Cage is killed by an alien -- but not before the latter' blood is absorbed by his body. Now, he finds himself in a time loop, able to reset that same day by dying. The only person who understands, and believes, what he's going through is Rita Vrataski (Blunt), one of the army's most decorated soldiers, who experienced this phenomenon herself. The two must work together to harness Cage's abilities to locate the mother ship and destroy it before the aliens wipe out the human race. As far as sci-fi popcorn flicks go, I actually enjoyed this one. It's smarter than your average alien film, and feels a lot fresher, too. Are there plot holes? Absolutely (one of my favorites: your species is in grave danger of being eliminated, and your only hope is arming soldiers in state-of-the-art armor suits. Do you really force someone with zero experience and training to go into combat immediately?). However, if you take it for what it is -- a film meant to entertain, not educate -- then it's definitely worth the ticket price. It is highly entertaining and well-executed sci-fi fun.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Film Review -- Fading Gigolo

This film, written, directed, and starring John Turturro, also features Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Paradis, and Liev Schrieber. Down-on-his-luck New Yorker Murray (Allen), whose used bookstore just closed, convinces his equally cash-strapped former employee Fioravante (Turturro) to moonlight as a gigolo after Murray's dermatologist (Stone) expresses interest in such a service. Together, they set up a successful "business" with Murray as the pimp, but things get complicated when Fioravante finds himself falling for Avigal (Paradis), a widowed Orthodox Jew -- much to the chargin of Dovi (Schrieber), a neighborhood patrolman who also has feelings for her. "Quirky" isn't a strong enough word for this film. Apart from being slightly ridiculous, the plot seems all over the place sometimes, with the different story lines diverging so much at times they don't feel like they belong in the same film. In terms of acting, Allen is great as usual, but everyone else borders on annoying; Paradis, meanwhile, is simply insufferable. Unfortunately, this was one of those films where I couldn't take anything from it, one where I constantly asked myself, "what's the point to all of this?". Fading Gigolo, for me, was a dud.

Should you see it: No
Grade: C- 

Oldie but Goodie: Manhattan Murder Mystery

Woody Allen writes, directs, and stars in his 1993 picture, which also features Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston and Jerry Adler. Larry (Allen) and Carol Lipton (Keaton) are a middle-aged couple living a quiet, uneventful life in New York. He works as a book editor, she "thinks about opening her own restaurant." However, their lives turn upside down when their neighbor, Lillian House (Lynn Cohen) suddenly dies of a heart attack. Having had coffee with her the night before, the Liptons thought she seemed in perfectly good spirits and health. Carol, deeply bothered by this abrupt turn of events, begins to suspect her widow, Paul (Adler), when he shows no outward signs of grieving. Larry is unconvinced, so Carol turns to their friend Ted (Alda), who helps her unearth the true story of what happened to Lillian. Meanwhile, Larry entertains Marcia Fox (Huston) a popular author whose next book he hopes to edit, and the couple's separate pursuits with other people causes some mutual jealousy. I am a huge fan of Allen's, and while I certainly enjoyed this film, it is not one of my favorites -- and that's probably because even a mediocre Allen film is good, which sets the bar pretty high. It isn't quite comedy, but also not suspenseful enough to be a full-fledged mystery. I think this indecisiveness detracted from the story, and it could have been much more effective had Allen picked one route and stuck with it. Although the plot suffered from occasional inconsistencies, I was overall satisfied with it. The acting is great, as always, as is the writing. In all, I was intrigued by the film and enjoyed it. It is definitely worth a watch, but it is not one of my favorite Allen films.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review: Mona Lisa

This 1986 film is directed by Neil Jordan and stars Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, Robbie Coltrane, and Michael Caine. It tells the story of George (Hoskins), recently released from prison, who winds up the driver of a high-class prostitute, Simone (Tyson). While initially reluctant, George soon finds himself falling for Simone, so he agrees to help her track down another prostitute, whom Simone is very fond of and hasn't heard from in a while. Along the way, they must confront Simone's dangerous pimp, Anderson (Clarke Peters) and and George's shady boss, Denny (Caine). My mom showed me this film because Bob Hoskins sadly died on April 29. He is terrific in it, definitely deserving of his Oscar nomination. The supporting cast is great too, especially Tyson and Coltrane, as George's goofy friend, Thomas. I enjoyed the ending's surprise twist, and felt that the film was well-written and well-paced (it is suspenseful when it should be, but takes its time when needed, as well). However, and maybe this is a matter of personal preference, since I found the film's subject matter quite strong, it did not overly excite me or hold my interest. It is a perfectly fine film, and certainly worth watching -- I simply wasn't overwhelmed by it.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Oldie but Goodie: Monty Python's Life of Brian

Directed by Terry Jones and starring the MP crew of Jones, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam, the film follows the comical story of Brian, a guy who lived two thousand years ago and never reached full Messiah status, probably because three wise men entered the wrong manger -- his. He participates in many comical situations, and even his crucifixion isn't exempt from humor. The film works mainly because the ensemble cast is brilliant, and, playing multiple parts each, are able to write and act a smart, geniously satirical. I love a good religious mocking, so this film hit the right spots for me. As with Holy Grail, there are sketches that are funnier than others, with some being overly silly for my taste. However, overall, Life of Brian is an intelligent, relevant option for when you feel like having some laughs.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- Bad Words

Jason Bateman directs and stars in this black comedy also featuring Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, and Rohan Chand. Guy Trilby (Bateman) is forty years old, foul-mouthed, and....a spelling bee contestant? That's what happens when he finds a loophole in the rules of the Golden Quill Spelling Bee, and all of a sudden hard-working eleven-year -olds find themselves competing with a ruthless Trilby. But why is he so bent on carrying out this stunt and crushing the dreams of many children? That's what reporter Jenny Widgeon (Hahn) wants to find out. But these plans take an unexpected turn when quick-witted contestant Chaitanyia (Chand) befriends a reluctant Guy. First, the premise of the film is outrageously silly, and most of the film's laughs come from equally ridiculous situations. However, the film is charming enough to justify the cheap laughs. While the plot is underwhelming, you but have to admire its simplicity. This keeps the focus predominantly on the comedy. The actors also do a fine job, with so much relying on the comedic timing of their dialogue. Especially enjoyable is talented young actor Rohan Chand, who is completely adorable as Guy's unlikely pint-sized sidekick. In all, Bad Words is a mostly enjoyable comedy with a few good laughs. It's worth a look.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B-

Oldie but Goodie -- Monty Python and the Holy Grail

This 1975 cult classic is directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam and stars Jones, Gilliam, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin. King Arthur (Chapman), along with his not-so-noble knights, set out on a God-given quest to find the Holy Grail. Along the way, they face many silly obstacles, such as the swallow-savvy castle keepers, the limbless knight, a prince who just wants to sing, the knights who say Ni!, and a riddle-loving bridge keeper. It's obvious that this film doesn't try or pretend to be anything else other than an outrageously silly, historically inaccurate adventure from one of Britain's most famous comedy groups. In fact, the entire film plays out as one long sketch show, with each obstacle being its own separate sketch. I enjoyed many of them -- the opening credits are laugh-out-loud, can't-breathe hilarious. The swallow-savvy castle keepers are also very funny, as are the Knights who say Ni! and the riddle-loving bridge keeper, among others. There are a few sketches, however, that were just too silly for me. But I can very much appreciate the amount of imagination and creativity that it takes to make a film like this -- I know I could never do it. Even though the film is extremely low-budget (a fact even worked into the film's plot, in the form of an absolutely hysterical coconut sequence), the actors are all so brilliant that they are more than able to achieve their goal of making an uproarious comical romp.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A

Film Review -- The Fifth Estate

Directed by Bill Condon, this 2013 film stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl, Laura Linney, and Stanley Tucci. It tells the story of the early stages of one of the biggest whistle-blowing organizations ever, Wikileaks, and its founder, Julian Assange (Cumberbatch), through the point-of-view of his business partner, Daniel Berg (Bruhl). The film itself is not great; its much too long, the script is weak, and the directing is too slow to make it a legitimate thriller. Because it is based on the book of a disgruntled ex-Wikileaks employee, the film is also frustratingly one-sided. I'm sure it would be a monumental task to make an objective film about one of the most controversial organizations and people in the world, but this film makes Assange out as way too one-dimensional and detestable. The performances are pretty good, but they're not enough to save a film that does not accurately depict Wikileak's beginnings, or its merits.

Should you see it: With fair warning
Grade: C+

Oldie but Goodie -- Bullets over Broadway

Woody Allen's 1994 film stars John Cusack, Dianne Wiest, and Jennifer Tilly. Proud and stubborn playwright David Shayne (Cusack) wants to produce and direct his new play on Broadway, but the only person willing to finance it is mobster Nick Valenti (Joe Viterelli). The catch, though, is that Shayne must cast Valenti's ditzy and talentless girlfriend Olive (Tilly) in a crucial role. Additionally, Shayne must deal with the demands of veteran theatre actress Helen Sinclair (Wiest) and Olive's bodyguard, Cheech (Chazz Palminteri), who might even be a better playwright that Shayne. How Woody Allen manages to churn out a film a year I will never understand because, somehow, they all manage to be pretty good. This was one of my favorites. Very creative and wildly funny, the screenplay (by Allen and Douglas McGrath) and acting (especially from Tilly and Wiest -- who won an Oscar) are excellent. Short and sweet, this film is a must-see.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A

Film Review -- The Great Beauty

The Italian film, winner of this year's Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, is directed by Paolo Sorrentino and stars Toni Servillo. Jep Gambardella (Servillo) is an aging writer who, after his sixty-fifth birthday, has only written a single, bestselling novel. He spends his time immersed in the parties and nightlife of Rome, but when news of the death of someone in his past reaches him, he reflects on the choices he's made in life, and the meaning of life itself. I watched this film before the Oscars, but honestly forgot to write a review for it. The reason? I was sorely unimpressed. The director, influenced by Fellini, wanted to make a film that was an ode to his work, but his film simply comes across as a poor man's Fellini. Not even the great Italian filmmaker can always pull off that eccentricity, much less can Sorrentino. I expected the film, with a 2-hour, 20-minute running time, to be chock-full of character insight and reflection, but instead all I got was a shallow narrative seemingly about absolutely nothing. While one can appreciate this Italian approach to filmmaking, which is wildly different from non-Latin filmmaking, this film did not work for me. I'm positive that another film deserved the Foreign Language Oscar more than The Great Beauty.

Should you see it: At your own risk
Grade: C+

My Oscar Reactions and Analysis

2013 was a phenomenal year for movies -- the best in recent memory. The 2014 awards season came to a close on Sunday night when the Academy Awards were handed out. There were many worthy nominees, and while the Academy got it right some of the time, it also left lots of deserving people winless. But that's how it usually goes.
 Here are my thoughts on the ceremony:

• Host Ellen DeGeneres was disappointing overall. Although she had some good skits, such as the pizza and the selfie -- which are being widely talked, about so she certainly succeeded in that regard -- her general performance wasn't nearly as funny as I had hoped it would be. Perhaps the Oscars should take a page out of the Golden Globes handbook and hire the dynamic duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler? 
• The insistence of having a "theme" to the Oscars is unnecessary. The honoring of "heroes" at this year's ceremony seemed very random and out of place. The show is long enough as it is; we shouldn't have to sit through needless montages and musical performances as well.
• 12 Years a Slave deservedly won the top prize of Best Picture. While pundits had been deeming this race as "too close to call" all awards season, there was never any doubt in my mind that this brilliant film would come out on top. 
• Matthew McConaughey won Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club. I thought that Chiwetel Ejiofor deserved this for his masterful and heartbreaking portrayal of a free man sold into slavery, but McConaughey has been bringing in the big bucks for Hollywood for some years now, so I guess he was due this honor. Not that he wasn't excellent; he certainly was, but he wasn't the most deserving. He is absolutely amazing, though, in HBO's True Detective, so maybe some of that love propelled him here. It's unfortunate, though, that he diminished his win with that RIDICULOUS acceptance speech.
• Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for Blue Jasmine, as expected. She was phenomenal in the film, and is long-overdue an Oscar for a leading role, so no complaints here. Deep inside, though, I wish that she and Judi Dench had tied. I have such a soft spot for the latter and her touching performance in Philomena.
• Jared Leto won Best Supporting Actor for Dallas Buyers Club. I feel the same way about his win as I do about his costar's: while Leto gave a great performance, I don't feel like he was the most deserving; that would be Michael Fassbender, who was utterly horrific in 12 Years a Slave. I haven't disliked a character like I did this one in a very long time, which says a lot about his performance. I enjoyed his speech, though, and he seems to be a nice guy, so I'm not too upset.
• YES! Lupita Nyong'o WON Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave! I can't tell you how happy I am about this. Anyone who's watched the film knows what a stunning performance Nyong'o gives in her feature film debut as abused slave Patsey. All awards season long, I was irked at those comparing Jennifer Lawrence's performance in American Hustle with Lupita's, and some even alleged that the former's was superior. I'm sorry, I think Lawrence is a fine actress, but two Oscars in two years for essentially the same role? Give me a break. Thank goodness justice prevailed and the Academy chose the deserving winner. 
• Alfonso Cuarón won Best Director for Gravity, in recognition of his accomplishments in helming a film that relies on never-before-used technology. However, much like the Academy honored Kathryn Bigelow for the small, but brilliantly made film The Hurt Locker over James Cameron for the technological marvel that is Avatar a few years back, I felt that the Oscar should have gone to Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave. While Cuarón certainly made an inspiring film, McQueen was able to make a practically perfect film with a limited budget and limited resources That is a testament to a gifted filmmaker, and this feat is perhaps even more impressive than achievements made with unlimited technology. So, the award should have gone to Steve.
• John Ridley and Spike Jonze won the Adapted and Original Screenplay Awards for 12 Years a Slave and Her, respectively. I'm thrilled for Ridley (but also would have loved to see a tie with Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope for Philomena). In regards to Jonze, I made my feelings about Her very clear in my review of the film, so it's needless to say that I thought this award should have gone to someone else. I can't knock him for being original, though, so I guess that's what the voters went for.
• Frozen won the Oscar for Animated Feature as well as Original Song for the infectious "Let it Go." It's been stuck in my head since the film came out, so no complaints here!
• As expected, Gravity took home most of the technical awards. The film is a visual wonder, and unlike in the Best Director category, absolutely deserved every technical win. 

So there it is, my brief reflection on the Oscars ceremony and winners. Looking forward to seeing what great films come out in 2014!