Who would you pick as the Best Supporting Actress of 1999:
Chloë Sevigny in Boys Don't Cry
OR
Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted
?
Like you didn't see this one comin'....
Friday, 8 January 2010
"I'm sorry, Brandon, I don't mean to be a cunt.
- Brandon and Dawn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This little hidden underrated gem is one of the funniest, freshest, and most original films I have ever seen. The kind of film that would never be made today, not even in the indie film circuit. The story follows middle-schooler Dawn Wiener (no, seriously) and the unfortunate events that trip her up. What's so interesting about the film is that there is no real happy ending, and that nothing good ever happens to Dawn. The film is very realistic, and completely un-Hollywood where films like this usually end with a happy ending that makes sentiment almost unbearable.
The script is downright hilarious, but the real treasures come from the film's two central performances given by Heather Matarazzo and Brendan Sexton III. Matarazzo gives a genuinely funny and delightful performance as a young girl with determination that never goes anywhere. She never strains herself, never overplays any moment, and always keeps that geeky awkwardness intact. Sexton's performance is poignant, compelling, intense and unique. He makes threats of rape to get attention, he smokes, he's misunderstood, he steals, but he's not your average "bad boy". Sexton infuses his scenes as someone who no one sees as a human being, someone who has never felt love or affection, and it is this that makes his scenes with Matarazzo so engaging. The two soon begin a secret love affair where two outsiders are now inside each others hearts. We want this unlikely couple to be together forever, no matter how odd the circumstances may be. Then when Brandon runs off to New York we are put in the same position as Dawn; sad that the two will not be together anymore, and wondering if their paths my cross again.If you're looking for something new and sick of the old, tired, redunant shit out there today check out
"Welcome To The Dollhouse"
Don't get the impression that I hate or strongly dislike Terri Garr's performance as the neuortic girlfriend, but I just didn't feel that it was anything I could truly award a nomination to. She's fun, she's light, but she lacks real depth to warrant the nomination.
Here are the results:
Jessica Lange : 21% Terri Garr: 78%
I'm going to be doing some more of these poll's between two competing nominees so I will you know when you can vote!
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Sunday, 3 January 2010
NASHVILLE
It had been on the top of the list of movies I had to see, and recently I was able to check Nashville off the list. I found it be a fresh, multi-layered, thought provoking, and fully positive experience. But of course, two of the best parts of the film came in the amazing performances given by Ronee Blakley and Lily Tomlin, whom I will discuss in more detail very soon. A great movie to get you're spirits up!
Friday, 1 January 2010
I belong to that small group of people who actually believed that Oscar did right by this choice, amoung that group are StinkyLulu's smackdowners who just loved Ms. Lange's work. Although many believe that the Tootsie Oscar was conpensation for her loss in Best Actress, this award was for her acting and the members of the New York Film Critics Circle, National Society of Film Critics, Golden Globes, and Academy agreed with me that Lange was the right choice for the Best Supporting Actress of 1982. And, yes, I do think that Lange's is a supporting performance, while Dustin Hoffman is the only lead.
Off to the side, please vote for who you think was the Best Supporting Actress of 1982 out of the choices of Lange and Garr.
Are any of you Star Wars fans, junkies, obsessors? I watched the Family Guy parody "Something, Something, Something Dark Side" on DVD and I got thinking about how long it's been since I had seen any of the actual films. I sort of grew up with it. Well, more like forced (haha) to love it because my cartoony uncle, who to this day has a deep devotion/passion for these films, has literally every friggin' memorabilia item from every single f'n film. The guy has an entire room in his tiny house acting as a shrine to his collectings complete with a Han Solo in carbonite door. Yeah, I wish I was kidding. So my brother and I were given all of the action figures, videos, playsets, etc. Back in 2002 we saw Episode II more times than I can count on the IMAX. Not bad, but after a while it gets downright irritating. As I have gotten older I have come into my own (thank God) and looking back it was fun but now....ugh. First things first. In my opinion there are only two good movies out of the six; A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. The third, Return of the Jedi, felt like a HUGE let down and creativity/originalty were running on empty. The first film is magic - leading us into this mystical world, and laying down the foundation of the story, while giving the viewer a view into a whole new galaxy of possiblity and wonder. The second chapter is even better - not only is it better to look at, but the film has a errie, dark atmosphere, richer themes, deeply realized complex characterizations, humanity, humor, and kick ass effects. Pretty aweome. Nowadays, you are suddenly "cool" when you say that the second film is superior to the first. Thankfully that is true indeed.
I don't think I should even start on the mess that is the second trilogy. Basically relying on effects to get him out of any jam, Lucas never finds the spark that made the first two films so enjoyably memorable. The dialouge is retched, the acting; mannequin-esque (save for the bad ass Sam Jackson), and the overall efforts feel imcomplete and lacking in much needed soul.
What do you think?
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