I have not been looking forward to this since this was a decade that had so many great films and many of them won best picture. But here it goes.
10. The Sting (1973) - An offbeat comedy-drama that won in a year that didn't have a lot of strong competition. Not to say that it is a bad film, but there were so many other films that are classics compared to this one. Basically someone had to finish in tenth.
9. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) - A strong movie for its time but a bit dated today. Possibly shouldn't have won best picture, Apocalypse Now was much better. But this film is a great time capsule of the late 1970's and did tackle the social issue of should the mother automatically get the child in a divorce.
8. Rocky (1976) - And the other film that won from the decade that it shouldn't have. Still a sports classic and popular to this day. Proof that the social climate of the country does play into how the academy votes, remember this was during the Vietnam, Watergate and Bicentennial area, so a movie like Rocky was a sure bet for best picture.
7. Patton (1970) - Possibly one of the greatest war movies of all time. George C. Scott's portrayal of the great general is so amazing, the war scenes, everything about this film is great. Even though it is a long movie, you just don't want it to end.
6. The French Connection - (1971) - Clearly the best cops and robbers film ever made. Tough, gritty, a true example of the 1970's had to offer for cinema. So few films can combine drama with action. Even the classic car chase scene wouldn't be done today, every fifteen seconds someone would have to throw in a witty comment or have some stupid explosion. But this film is a classic.
5. Annie Hall (1977) - A great film from the mind of Woody Allen that finally got him an Oscar for best picture. Comedy doesn't always do well, but in the '70's a film like this could be recognized for how great it was. As a kid I couldn't understand why it beat Star Wars, but now as an adult I understand and glad it won.
4. The Deer Hunter (1978) - On of the greatest films of the decade, which a friend of mine used to brag that it had the longest wedding scene in any movie. I would say this is the best Vietnam War film to win best picture, and I think it hurt Apocalypse Now the next year from winning. Nevertheless, a great film that is in the top five of best pictures for the decade.
3. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - One of only three films to sweep all the major awards at the Oscars (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay), and rightfully so. Still holds up today as an amazing film. In fact after seeing Birdman win at this year's Oscars, I immediately turned over to TCM and this was on. I felt like my pallet was cleansed and felt proud to know the difference between art and kitsch.
2. The Godfather Part II (1974) - Clearly the greatest sequel ever made and one of my personal favorite movies of all time. Great acting combined with a dual story line showing the history of Don Corleone is amazing. It is second only because there could only be one film even better.
1. The Godfather (1972) - One of the best films ever made, a perfect movie. The amazing classic is still enjoyable today, has become part of our society, our lexicon, our lives. If you haven't seen it stop reading right now and go and watch it. If you have seen it, watch it again. Go now!
Monday, September 28, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
And You Thought That Pirates Were Only In Pittsburgh
That's right, Somali Pirates are not a single A franchise of the Pirates organization, but they do love taking over ships. Besides Captain Phillips, a few others that has me now at single digits of what I have not seen. I know it has been a while, but you try and find nominated movies when you've seen almost all of them.
Captain Phillips (2013) - Based on the true story of an American container ship that was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates and how the captain escaped. Well acted by Tom Hanks and a good adventure film, it does run a bit long. And since you know how it ends, there isn't much suspense that builds up. Still a good film and worthy of being nominated.
I will do a full rundown of 2013 since I also have seen the last film of that year, but for now I will put it in seventh place out of the eight I have seen.
The Emigrants (1971) - A film that was so good that after it was nominated for best foreign film for 1971, the next year it was nominated for best picture of 1972. An impressive epic tale of Scandinavians who leave Sweden in the 1850's and their journey across the Atlantic and into the United States. Great acting from the well known stars of Swedish cinema Max von Sydow and Liv Ulmann and a cast of other impressive actors makes this a film worthy of watching, even though it is over three hours. A rare film that has taken me years to see, catch it if you can.
So this closes out the 1970's which will be a post later on. For now I can finally rank 1972, and if it was no surprise the best picture was The Thing With Two Heads staring Ray Milland and Rosie Grier. Just kidding, it was The Godfather, but now thinking about it......nope I'll stick with The Godfather. Second would be The Emigrants, third Cabaret since it was a gritty film, or at least gritty for a musical, and won a number of awards. Fourth is Deliverance, still a classic in my opinion and fifth Sounder a very good drama.
The Tree of Life (2011) - Talk about a pretentious waste of time. What was this even about? Pretty impossible to follow, not sure what was the purpose of the film except that life is difficult? Not sure why it got nominated, let along made, but somehow it did both. A shame because I really do like Brad Pitt, who is always a great actor, even if you don't know what he is supposed to be acting in.
This was the last film of 2011, and the best picture was The Artist. Not that it is one of the best films ever made, but the best it was competing against. Making a silent film in the modern era, and doing it well, is a clever thing and deserves best picture. Second is Hugo mainly because it is a Scorsese movie, but very well done. Third is Midnight in Paris one of Woody Allen's finest in a long time. The Help is fourth, a really good drama and Moneyball finishes out the top five. At sixth is The Descendants which was good, but not good enough for the old criteria. War Horse is seventh because it is very boring and could have been made much shorter which would have helped. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the previously worst nominated film of the year, gets bumped up to eight. Not that it was good, but that ninth is The Tree of Life which is so bad.
Her (2013) - A quirky bizarre film about a man who falls in love with his computer operating system. What works is that even though it is fantasy, it is accepted as fact by the other characters. Rather funny at times, it does bring up a valid point that we may have to deal with at some point in our future, what is a life? Must it be a human being or can it also be a computer that has human intelligence? Thankfully we don't have to worry about that now, but when that day comes I know the dryer will be coming after me.
Now I can finally rank 2013, and the best picture was 12 Years A Slave. Although it was one of the closest years in recent history and rightfully so with American Hustle as the second best film. Gravity is third, one of the best sci-fi films made ever. Remember sci-fi is a genre that doesn't get recognized often, but when it does the academy gets it right. Dallas Buyers Club is a solid fourth carried by great acting. The Wolf of Wall Street just inches into fifth place, the Scorsese edge helping it there. Her is sixth, only because there are five really good movies ahead of it, but you could interchange it with number five. Seventh is a tough choice, but I will say that Captain Phillips just edges out Philomena in eight. Both really good, but Captain Phillips had drama and action, Nebraska is ninth, not because it wasn't a good movie, I would recommend it to anyone, and I like how they used black and white to help with the story. But this was a tough year and someone had to finish last.
Whiplash (2014) - What an amazing film! Seriously this was not what I was expecting. Not to reveal too much, but the basic story is about a music student trying to become the best jazz drummer and the music teacher who you don't know is trying to push him to better or push him over the edge to quit. JK Simmons was amazing and rightfully so got the Oscar for best supporting actor. This is one of those films that you have to see.
With this being the last film to see of 2014 I can rank the movies. And we have a perfect example of the academy going off the rails and making a major mistake. Big time mistake, like 1994 or 1951 epic mistake. The best film overall was Boyhood. The reason is that you have to weigh all options about a movie, and this one had it. It set out what it wanted to do, and did it perfectly. It wanted to show twelve years in the life of a boy, and actually took twelve years to film it. Just the complexity of such a project alone is enough to win, but it was the best picture. In second is American Sniper, but if all things were fair, this could have won best picture also. But due to the political makeup of many of the voting members, this film was doomed. Whiplash falls into third, a really great film. And finally in fourth would you get Birdman, the one that did get the Oscar for best picture. Don't get me wrong, Birdman is a very good film, funny at times, well acted, but it was NOT the best picture. Fifth is The Imitation Game, a great film about Alan Turing in WWII. At sixth is The Grand Budapest Hotel, mainly because Wes Anderson puts so much effort into his films, you really enjoy watching them. The Theory of Everything is seventh, just barely, but a good movie, but could have easily missed the cut. Selma is eight only because it was rushed and could have been better.
Captain Phillips (2013) - Based on the true story of an American container ship that was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates and how the captain escaped. Well acted by Tom Hanks and a good adventure film, it does run a bit long. And since you know how it ends, there isn't much suspense that builds up. Still a good film and worthy of being nominated.
I will do a full rundown of 2013 since I also have seen the last film of that year, but for now I will put it in seventh place out of the eight I have seen.
The Emigrants (1971) - A film that was so good that after it was nominated for best foreign film for 1971, the next year it was nominated for best picture of 1972. An impressive epic tale of Scandinavians who leave Sweden in the 1850's and their journey across the Atlantic and into the United States. Great acting from the well known stars of Swedish cinema Max von Sydow and Liv Ulmann and a cast of other impressive actors makes this a film worthy of watching, even though it is over three hours. A rare film that has taken me years to see, catch it if you can.
So this closes out the 1970's which will be a post later on. For now I can finally rank 1972, and if it was no surprise the best picture was The Thing With Two Heads staring Ray Milland and Rosie Grier. Just kidding, it was The Godfather, but now thinking about it......nope I'll stick with The Godfather. Second would be The Emigrants, third Cabaret since it was a gritty film, or at least gritty for a musical, and won a number of awards. Fourth is Deliverance, still a classic in my opinion and fifth Sounder a very good drama.
The Tree of Life (2011) - Talk about a pretentious waste of time. What was this even about? Pretty impossible to follow, not sure what was the purpose of the film except that life is difficult? Not sure why it got nominated, let along made, but somehow it did both. A shame because I really do like Brad Pitt, who is always a great actor, even if you don't know what he is supposed to be acting in.
This was the last film of 2011, and the best picture was The Artist. Not that it is one of the best films ever made, but the best it was competing against. Making a silent film in the modern era, and doing it well, is a clever thing and deserves best picture. Second is Hugo mainly because it is a Scorsese movie, but very well done. Third is Midnight in Paris one of Woody Allen's finest in a long time. The Help is fourth, a really good drama and Moneyball finishes out the top five. At sixth is The Descendants which was good, but not good enough for the old criteria. War Horse is seventh because it is very boring and could have been made much shorter which would have helped. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the previously worst nominated film of the year, gets bumped up to eight. Not that it was good, but that ninth is The Tree of Life which is so bad.
Her (2013) - A quirky bizarre film about a man who falls in love with his computer operating system. What works is that even though it is fantasy, it is accepted as fact by the other characters. Rather funny at times, it does bring up a valid point that we may have to deal with at some point in our future, what is a life? Must it be a human being or can it also be a computer that has human intelligence? Thankfully we don't have to worry about that now, but when that day comes I know the dryer will be coming after me.
Now I can finally rank 2013, and the best picture was 12 Years A Slave. Although it was one of the closest years in recent history and rightfully so with American Hustle as the second best film. Gravity is third, one of the best sci-fi films made ever. Remember sci-fi is a genre that doesn't get recognized often, but when it does the academy gets it right. Dallas Buyers Club is a solid fourth carried by great acting. The Wolf of Wall Street just inches into fifth place, the Scorsese edge helping it there. Her is sixth, only because there are five really good movies ahead of it, but you could interchange it with number five. Seventh is a tough choice, but I will say that Captain Phillips just edges out Philomena in eight. Both really good, but Captain Phillips had drama and action, Nebraska is ninth, not because it wasn't a good movie, I would recommend it to anyone, and I like how they used black and white to help with the story. But this was a tough year and someone had to finish last.
Whiplash (2014) - What an amazing film! Seriously this was not what I was expecting. Not to reveal too much, but the basic story is about a music student trying to become the best jazz drummer and the music teacher who you don't know is trying to push him to better or push him over the edge to quit. JK Simmons was amazing and rightfully so got the Oscar for best supporting actor. This is one of those films that you have to see.
With this being the last film to see of 2014 I can rank the movies. And we have a perfect example of the academy going off the rails and making a major mistake. Big time mistake, like 1994 or 1951 epic mistake. The best film overall was Boyhood. The reason is that you have to weigh all options about a movie, and this one had it. It set out what it wanted to do, and did it perfectly. It wanted to show twelve years in the life of a boy, and actually took twelve years to film it. Just the complexity of such a project alone is enough to win, but it was the best picture. In second is American Sniper, but if all things were fair, this could have won best picture also. But due to the political makeup of many of the voting members, this film was doomed. Whiplash falls into third, a really great film. And finally in fourth would you get Birdman, the one that did get the Oscar for best picture. Don't get me wrong, Birdman is a very good film, funny at times, well acted, but it was NOT the best picture. Fifth is The Imitation Game, a great film about Alan Turing in WWII. At sixth is The Grand Budapest Hotel, mainly because Wes Anderson puts so much effort into his films, you really enjoy watching them. The Theory of Everything is seventh, just barely, but a good movie, but could have easily missed the cut. Selma is eight only because it was rushed and could have been better.
Monday, February 23, 2015
87th Oscar Results
Just when you think the Academy Awards are finally doing what's right, they remind you that even they don't know what they are doing. More on that rant later. Here is how it went, and not very good.
Visual Effects
Chris - Guardians of the Galaxy
Adam - Interstellar
Winner - Interstellar
Chris - 0
Adam - 1
This one was mentioned as the most likely to win online, and they were right.
Sound Mixing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
Winner - Whiplash
Chris - 0
Adam - 1
All right, it is a movie about music, so sound mixing would be very important.
Sound Editing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
Winner - American Sniper
Chris - 1
Adam - 2
The only victory for American Sniper at the Academy Awards.
Cinematography
Chris - Unbroken
Adam - Birdman
Winner - Birdman
Chris - 1
Adam - 3
My logic paid off, the same person won it twice in a row. Or unless it wasn't him but the movie.....
Makeup & Hairstyling
Chris - Foxcatcher
Adam - Guardians of the Galaxy
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 1
Adam - 3
While it turns out the one that neither of us picked won, I can see why. Can't argue with this, should have seen it coming.
Costume Design
Chris - Into the Woods
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 1
Adam - 4
Got this right, should have used the logic for the one above. Anyway, up by three.
Production Design
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 2
Adam - 5
A very logical win since the movie is nothing but production design.
Film Editing
Chris - The Imitation Game
Adam - Boyhood
Winner - Whiplash
Chris - 2
Adam - 5
The only film I didn't see, but from what I understand it is very well edited. I am more disappointed that Boyhood didn't get it, but if Whiplash deserved it, then I can live with this.
Music Original Song
Chris - Selma
Adam - Selma
Winner - Selma
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
Not only did I predict the win, but the annoying speech as well.
Music Original Score
Chris - Interstellar
Adam - The Theory of Everything
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
Didn't expect this, the film is more visual than auditory. But it is it's fourth Oscar.
Writing Adapted Screenplay
Chris - Whiplash
Adam - Whiplash
Winner - The Imitation Game
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
This is the we don't want you to go home empty handed award.
Writing Original Screenplay
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - Boyhood
Winner - Birdman
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
This is a bit confusing, Birdman over The Grand Budapest Hotel or Boyhood? Did people not watch the other films nominated?
Short Film Animated
Chris - Me and My Moulton
Adam - Feast
Winner - Feast
Chris - 3
Adam - 7
Got lucky, and I will use it to move further ahead.
Short Film Live Action
Chris - The Phone Call
Adam -The Phone Call
Winner - The Phone Call
Chris - 4
Adam - 8
Apparently this was favored to win.
Documentary Short Subject
Chris - Crisis Hotline
Adam - Crisis Hotline
Winner - Crisis Hotline
Chris - 5
Adam - 9
Again, another one that was favored.
Best Animated
Chris - How to Train Your Dragon 2
Adam - How to Train Your Dragon 2
Winner - Big Hero 6
Chris - 5
Adam - 9
The acceptance speech from the winner. "We are so glad that The Lego Movie was not nominated......"
Best Documentary
Chris - Citizenfour
Adam - Citizenfour
Winner - Citizenfour
Chris - 6
Adam - 10
Didn't realize that it was about Edward Snowden, that must be why everyone was picking it online.
Best Foreign Language
Chris - Ida
Adam - Wild Tales
Winner - Ida
Chris - 7
Adam - 10
The wife is catching up here.
Best Supporting Actress
Chris - Patricia Arquette
Adam - Patricia Arquette
Winner - Patricia Arquette
Chris - 8
Adam - 11
Besides a silly speech when she won. this is the first win for Boyhood. Always funny when someone is a millionaire complaining about wage inequality. I'd be happy to only make as much as her on her next film.
Best Supporting Actor
Chris - J.K. Simmons
Adam - J.K. Simmons
Winner - J.K. Simmons
Chris - 9
Adam - 12
I am so looking forward to seeing this movie.
Best Actress
Chris - Julianne Moore
Adam - Julianne Moore
Winner - Julianne Moore
Chris - 10
Adam - 13
No surprise here.
Best Actor
Chris - Bradley Cooper
Adam - Eddie Redmayne
Winner - Eddie Redmayne
Chris - 10
Adam - 14
And pretty much wrap up the win.
Best Director
Chris - Alejandro G. Inarritu
Adam - Richard Linklater
Winner - Alejandro G. Inarritu
Chris - 11
Adam - 14
A bit shocked that Richard Linklater didn't win, but this could have been like last year with Gravity.
Best Picture
Chris - Boyhood
Adam - Boyhood
Winner - Birdman
Chris - 11
Adam - 14
What was the Academy thinking?!?!?!?! Seriously?!?!?!??! Really?!?!?!?!?!?! This makes my victory hollow. Birdman is a good film, worthy of a nomination. But it is NOT the best picture of the year. Maybe it was nominated in a different year, no not really. Unless you could drop it into say 1983, then yes. This once again proves that the Academy will pick movies that they like instead of picking what is best. Although it is disappointing for Boyhood, it now joins an elite class of films that were also subbed like The Shawshank Redemption, Goodfellas, Network, A Streetcar Named Desire, Citizen Kane. Years from now no one will recognize Birdman as a classic but Boyhood will be.
Visual Effects
Chris - Guardians of the Galaxy
Adam - Interstellar
Winner - Interstellar
Chris - 0
Adam - 1
This one was mentioned as the most likely to win online, and they were right.
Sound Mixing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
Winner - Whiplash
Chris - 0
Adam - 1
All right, it is a movie about music, so sound mixing would be very important.
Sound Editing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
Winner - American Sniper
Chris - 1
Adam - 2
The only victory for American Sniper at the Academy Awards.
Cinematography
Chris - Unbroken
Adam - Birdman
Winner - Birdman
Chris - 1
Adam - 3
My logic paid off, the same person won it twice in a row. Or unless it wasn't him but the movie.....
Makeup & Hairstyling
Chris - Foxcatcher
Adam - Guardians of the Galaxy
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 1
Adam - 3
While it turns out the one that neither of us picked won, I can see why. Can't argue with this, should have seen it coming.
Costume Design
Chris - Into the Woods
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 1
Adam - 4
Got this right, should have used the logic for the one above. Anyway, up by three.
Production Design
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 2
Adam - 5
A very logical win since the movie is nothing but production design.
Film Editing
Chris - The Imitation Game
Adam - Boyhood
Winner - Whiplash
Chris - 2
Adam - 5
The only film I didn't see, but from what I understand it is very well edited. I am more disappointed that Boyhood didn't get it, but if Whiplash deserved it, then I can live with this.
Music Original Song
Chris - Selma
Adam - Selma
Winner - Selma
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
Not only did I predict the win, but the annoying speech as well.
Music Original Score
Chris - Interstellar
Adam - The Theory of Everything
Winner - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
Didn't expect this, the film is more visual than auditory. But it is it's fourth Oscar.
Writing Adapted Screenplay
Chris - Whiplash
Adam - Whiplash
Winner - The Imitation Game
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
This is the we don't want you to go home empty handed award.
Writing Original Screenplay
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - Boyhood
Winner - Birdman
Chris - 3
Adam - 6
This is a bit confusing, Birdman over The Grand Budapest Hotel or Boyhood? Did people not watch the other films nominated?
Short Film Animated
Chris - Me and My Moulton
Adam - Feast
Winner - Feast
Chris - 3
Adam - 7
Got lucky, and I will use it to move further ahead.
Short Film Live Action
Chris - The Phone Call
Adam -The Phone Call
Winner - The Phone Call
Chris - 4
Adam - 8
Apparently this was favored to win.
Documentary Short Subject
Chris - Crisis Hotline
Adam - Crisis Hotline
Winner - Crisis Hotline
Chris - 5
Adam - 9
Again, another one that was favored.
Best Animated
Chris - How to Train Your Dragon 2
Adam - How to Train Your Dragon 2
Winner - Big Hero 6
Chris - 5
Adam - 9
The acceptance speech from the winner. "We are so glad that The Lego Movie was not nominated......"
Best Documentary
Chris - Citizenfour
Adam - Citizenfour
Winner - Citizenfour
Chris - 6
Adam - 10
Didn't realize that it was about Edward Snowden, that must be why everyone was picking it online.
Best Foreign Language
Chris - Ida
Adam - Wild Tales
Winner - Ida
Chris - 7
Adam - 10
The wife is catching up here.
Best Supporting Actress
Chris - Patricia Arquette
Adam - Patricia Arquette
Winner - Patricia Arquette
Chris - 8
Adam - 11
Besides a silly speech when she won. this is the first win for Boyhood. Always funny when someone is a millionaire complaining about wage inequality. I'd be happy to only make as much as her on her next film.
Best Supporting Actor
Chris - J.K. Simmons
Adam - J.K. Simmons
Winner - J.K. Simmons
Chris - 9
Adam - 12
I am so looking forward to seeing this movie.
Best Actress
Chris - Julianne Moore
Adam - Julianne Moore
Winner - Julianne Moore
Chris - 10
Adam - 13
No surprise here.
Best Actor
Chris - Bradley Cooper
Adam - Eddie Redmayne
Winner - Eddie Redmayne
Chris - 10
Adam - 14
And pretty much wrap up the win.
Best Director
Chris - Alejandro G. Inarritu
Adam - Richard Linklater
Winner - Alejandro G. Inarritu
Chris - 11
Adam - 14
A bit shocked that Richard Linklater didn't win, but this could have been like last year with Gravity.
Best Picture
Chris - Boyhood
Adam - Boyhood
Winner - Birdman
Chris - 11
Adam - 14
What was the Academy thinking?!?!?!?! Seriously?!?!?!??! Really?!?!?!?!?!?! This makes my victory hollow. Birdman is a good film, worthy of a nomination. But it is NOT the best picture of the year. Maybe it was nominated in a different year, no not really. Unless you could drop it into say 1983, then yes. This once again proves that the Academy will pick movies that they like instead of picking what is best. Although it is disappointing for Boyhood, it now joins an elite class of films that were also subbed like The Shawshank Redemption, Goodfellas, Network, A Streetcar Named Desire, Citizen Kane. Years from now no one will recognize Birdman as a classic but Boyhood will be.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Picks for the 2014 Oscars
It's that time of the year to once again compete my wife on picking the nominees for the Oscars. This time I have seen seven out of the eight films nominated for Best Picture and in some categories I have seen most of the films nominated. Not sure if this will help or hinder me. Remember not always the best will win but sometimes the most popular.
Visual Effects
Chris - Guardians of the Galaxy
Adam - Interstellar
Unlike last year where Gravity was going to win all of these technical awards, this year it is a bit tougher. I haven't seen Guardians of the Galaxy but I have seen Interstellar. I'm sure one of these will win.
Sound Mixing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
American Sniper is one of the best movies made this year, but unfortunately I think this is only one of the two Oscars it will win.
Sound Editing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
And this is the other. The sound was incredible, you felt like you were in the middle of the battle with bullets flying around you.
Cinematography
Chris - Unbroken
Adam - Birdman
This one could be a toss up too. My logic is the cinematographer for this film has won before and is respected. Also I don't think Birdman will pull off too many victories and this may be one of the only awards it will win.
Makeup & Hairstyling
Chris - Foxcatcher
Adam - Guardians of the Galaxy
No idea, saw something on the web, one in three chance.
Costume Design
Chris - Into the Woods
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
These are probably the top two front runners in this category. I can see either one pulling out a victory.
Production Design
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
One of the few that we are on the same page with each other. This is an incredibly stylish film and should be a lock.
Film Editing
Chris - The Imitation Game
Adam - Boyhood
This category has a lot of emphasis placed on it lately, although historically not every best picture will win this category. Personally I felt that American Sniper was the best edited of the four films I watched, still haven't seen Whiplash at this point. But I have to go with what the voters will pick.
Music Original Song
Chris - Selma
Adam - Selma
Besides Best Picture, this was the only other nominee that Selma got. And if you watched the movie and/or read my last blog post, you'll see that this makes sense. But the academy will want to reward this movie. Get ready for a long winded speech.....
Music Original Score
Chris - Interstellar
Adam - The Theory of Everything
Some really good nominees in this category. Again, this could be a toss up. But The Theory of Everything did play Wagner, so even it is loses, it still is a winner.
Writing Adapted Screenplay
Chris - Whiplash
Adam - Whiplash
While I have not seen this movie yet, I hear that it is a great movie. It only seems logical that they would want to reward it with a major award.
Writing Original Screenplay
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - Boyhood
This could be a free-for-all seeing how a different film that the ones my wife and I are picking could win. I'm sticking with Boyhood on this, my wife thinks that Wes Anderson will finally get some love.
Short Film Animated
Chris - Me and My Moulton
Adam - Feast
No idea, no idea, no idea. And there is no logic, rhyme or reason who wins these.
Short Film Live Action
Chris - The Phone Call
Adam -The Phone Call
One year I actually got to watch the five films that were nominated and the one that won I would have never picked it in a million years.
Documentary Short Subject
Chris - Crisis Hotline
Adam - Crisis Hotline
The best bet is to randomly pick one. Or if you ever watch them, pick the one that you think couldn't win.
Best Animated
Chris - How to Train Your Dragon 2
Adam - How to Train Your Dragon 2
No Disney film this year and The Lego Movie didn't get nominated. This is understandable since Lego has been.....has been.....all right I got nothing why they didn't nominate the biggest animated film of the year. So this is the best bet.
Best Documentary
Chris - Citizenfour
Adam - Citizenfour
Not sure, but there is a lot of buzz on the web about this winning.
Best Foreign Language
Chris - Ida
Adam - Wild Tales
This category has been becoming harder to pick over the years, with the exception when Amour was nominated. Ida was nominated for cinematography which may help it. I'm surprised that Estonia was able to make a movie seeing how they are the only European nation to be powered by cabbages.
Best Supporting Actress
Chris - Patricia Arquette
Adam - Patricia Arquette
This was the only acting award given to Boyhood, which should make this a lock. That and no one else in the category did that great except for Meryl Streep, but she isn't going to win this year.
Best Supporting Actor
Chris - J.K. Simmons
Adam - J.K. Simmons
Another one of those guaranteed to win.
Best Actress
Chris - Julianne Moore
Adam - Julianne Moore
The odds of her not winning this rank up there with Hawaii getting a snowstorm.
Best Actor
Chris - Bradley Cooper
Adam - Eddie Redmayne
My wife is going with the logical argument that American Sniper has to win something. And Bradley Cooper was terrific. I'm playing it safe and going with the Golden Globe winner.
Best Director
Chris - Alejandro G. Inarritu
Adam - Richard Linklater
I'm going with the director of Boyhood since it was a very difficult project he started and completed. I think the academy will want to reward him for his hard work.
Best Picture
Chris - Boyhood
Adam - Boyhood
This year there is a strong competition for Best Picture. Boyhood was the early favorite. Then Birdman started to win a bunch of awards. Then American Sniper became the most popular film in America and probably has made more money than the other seven combined. Add to this Whiplash could be a wild card coming in with the vote split. Or people angry about Selma may vote for it. There is still The Imitation Game crowd who compares it to The King's Speech. One thing is for sure, The Theory of Everything will lose.
Visual Effects
Chris - Guardians of the Galaxy
Adam - Interstellar
Unlike last year where Gravity was going to win all of these technical awards, this year it is a bit tougher. I haven't seen Guardians of the Galaxy but I have seen Interstellar. I'm sure one of these will win.
Sound Mixing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
American Sniper is one of the best movies made this year, but unfortunately I think this is only one of the two Oscars it will win.
Sound Editing
Chris - American Sniper
Adam - American Sniper
And this is the other. The sound was incredible, you felt like you were in the middle of the battle with bullets flying around you.
Cinematography
Chris - Unbroken
Adam - Birdman
This one could be a toss up too. My logic is the cinematographer for this film has won before and is respected. Also I don't think Birdman will pull off too many victories and this may be one of the only awards it will win.
Makeup & Hairstyling
Chris - Foxcatcher
Adam - Guardians of the Galaxy
No idea, saw something on the web, one in three chance.
Costume Design
Chris - Into the Woods
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
These are probably the top two front runners in this category. I can see either one pulling out a victory.
Production Design
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - The Grand Budapest Hotel
One of the few that we are on the same page with each other. This is an incredibly stylish film and should be a lock.
Film Editing
Chris - The Imitation Game
Adam - Boyhood
This category has a lot of emphasis placed on it lately, although historically not every best picture will win this category. Personally I felt that American Sniper was the best edited of the four films I watched, still haven't seen Whiplash at this point. But I have to go with what the voters will pick.
Music Original Song
Chris - Selma
Adam - Selma
Besides Best Picture, this was the only other nominee that Selma got. And if you watched the movie and/or read my last blog post, you'll see that this makes sense. But the academy will want to reward this movie. Get ready for a long winded speech.....
Music Original Score
Chris - Interstellar
Adam - The Theory of Everything
Some really good nominees in this category. Again, this could be a toss up. But The Theory of Everything did play Wagner, so even it is loses, it still is a winner.
Writing Adapted Screenplay
Chris - Whiplash
Adam - Whiplash
While I have not seen this movie yet, I hear that it is a great movie. It only seems logical that they would want to reward it with a major award.
Writing Original Screenplay
Chris - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Adam - Boyhood
This could be a free-for-all seeing how a different film that the ones my wife and I are picking could win. I'm sticking with Boyhood on this, my wife thinks that Wes Anderson will finally get some love.
Short Film Animated
Chris - Me and My Moulton
Adam - Feast
No idea, no idea, no idea. And there is no logic, rhyme or reason who wins these.
Short Film Live Action
Chris - The Phone Call
Adam -The Phone Call
One year I actually got to watch the five films that were nominated and the one that won I would have never picked it in a million years.
Documentary Short Subject
Chris - Crisis Hotline
Adam - Crisis Hotline
The best bet is to randomly pick one. Or if you ever watch them, pick the one that you think couldn't win.
Best Animated
Chris - How to Train Your Dragon 2
Adam - How to Train Your Dragon 2
No Disney film this year and The Lego Movie didn't get nominated. This is understandable since Lego has been.....has been.....all right I got nothing why they didn't nominate the biggest animated film of the year. So this is the best bet.
Best Documentary
Chris - Citizenfour
Adam - Citizenfour
Not sure, but there is a lot of buzz on the web about this winning.
Best Foreign Language
Chris - Ida
Adam - Wild Tales
This category has been becoming harder to pick over the years, with the exception when Amour was nominated. Ida was nominated for cinematography which may help it. I'm surprised that Estonia was able to make a movie seeing how they are the only European nation to be powered by cabbages.
Best Supporting Actress
Chris - Patricia Arquette
Adam - Patricia Arquette
This was the only acting award given to Boyhood, which should make this a lock. That and no one else in the category did that great except for Meryl Streep, but she isn't going to win this year.
Best Supporting Actor
Chris - J.K. Simmons
Adam - J.K. Simmons
Another one of those guaranteed to win.
Best Actress
Chris - Julianne Moore
Adam - Julianne Moore
The odds of her not winning this rank up there with Hawaii getting a snowstorm.
Best Actor
Chris - Bradley Cooper
Adam - Eddie Redmayne
My wife is going with the logical argument that American Sniper has to win something. And Bradley Cooper was terrific. I'm playing it safe and going with the Golden Globe winner.
Best Director
Chris - Alejandro G. Inarritu
Adam - Richard Linklater
I'm going with the director of Boyhood since it was a very difficult project he started and completed. I think the academy will want to reward him for his hard work.
Best Picture
Chris - Boyhood
Adam - Boyhood
This year there is a strong competition for Best Picture. Boyhood was the early favorite. Then Birdman started to win a bunch of awards. Then American Sniper became the most popular film in America and probably has made more money than the other seven combined. Add to this Whiplash could be a wild card coming in with the vote split. Or people angry about Selma may vote for it. There is still The Imitation Game crowd who compares it to The King's Speech. One thing is for sure, The Theory of Everything will lose.
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