Yearly Archives: 2014

REVIEW: “Rush”

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RUSH POSTER

I’m not a racing fan so the story of Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda was new to me. Ron Howard’s biographical sports film “Rush” tells the story of these two men and the rivalry that grew between them. Filmed with flash and gusto, “Rush” mixes common sports movie techniques with its more serious dramatic focus. The result is a film centered around an intriguing relationship between two racers that generally plays out fairly well. Unfortunately there are some kinks and wrinkles which keep the movie from being as smooth as it should have been.

Folks in Europe will be much more familiar with the story of Hunt and Lauda. These two championship racers were as different as night and day. James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) is a talented driver who is more interested in the excesses of alcohol and sex that accompany his fame. He flies by the seat of his pants both on and off the track. Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) has no interest in accolades or fame. He is a by-the-book fellow who takes a cold and calculated approach to everything he does from racing to relationships. According to the movie Hunt and Lauda get off on the wrong foot and their drastically different approaches to racing and life constantly clash.

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Interestingly neither of these characters are particularly likable. Peter Morgan’s script unveils their strong competitive wills which are inseparably tied to their inflated egos. They just show their haughtiness in different ways. But their rivalry takes a different turn during the 1976 Formula One season after Lauda is involved in a fiery crash. He is severely burned and faced with an excruciating rehabilitation. During this time Hunt is able to take the season points lead and looks to be on track for the championship. But only 42 days after his accident, Lauda attempts a comeback that defies all odds.

“Rush” offers a fascinating and personal story and we get hearty bites of it here and there. But there is a really odd structure to the film as a whole. A big hunk of the movie deals more with their individual rises to Formula One status. Sprinkled in are some brief run-ins they have and of course the races themselves. This does a good job of defining them and their vices but it also takes a lot of shortcuts. For example the two main female characters are shoehorned in and not given much to do at all. Olivia Wilde plays a supermodel who suddenly marries Hunt but later develops an off-screen romance with Richard Burton after being shunned by her husband. It’s a paper-thin side story. Equally underdeveloped is Lauda’s quick marriage to Marlene (Alexandra Maria Lara). The couple do get a few good moments but she is mostly reserved to standing at his races looking terribly concerned.

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Speaking of those races, they are some of the most exhilarating race sequences ever put on screen. Ron Howard’s energetic and pulse-pounding perspectives truly are amazing to watch. Also a ton of credit has to go to the editing team of Daniel Hanley and Mike Hill. Far too often race or car chase sequences are chopped up into pieces making it almost impossible to discern what is going on. Hanley and Hill never make that mistake. Howard’s vigorous touches and technical flare gels perfectly with his editors’ approach to create some truly intense racing action. Howard also has a ton of fun playing in the whole 1970s period whether it’s the hair, the wardrobes, or the atmosphere. It looks great and I loves all of that stuff.

But back to the film’s structure. Lauda’s wreck and attempted recovery (which features prominently in the trailer and in the real life story) feels under-served. It does play an important part in changing the direction of the plot but it felt like there was much more there to explore. There were also several sports movie gimmicks that are frequently used. For example most of the races are shown with the voiceover of a highly dramatic announcer. The amazing visuals reveal to us the immense danger, the sometimes terrible weather conditions, etc. But that doesn’t stop the announcer from ratcheting up ever ounce of drama.

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The real statement of the film comes from Chris Hemsworth. He more known for his role as the musclebound hammer-wielding Thor from the Marvel movies, but here he shows a definite range that may come as a surprise to some people. He jumps headfirst into Hunt’s life of overindulgence and he never oversells it. Brühl clearly is working hard but ultimately I think he is shortchanged by Peter Morgan’s script. He definitely has some strong moments but more often I found him to be a bit dull. It’s hard to put the bulk of the blame on him though.

Overall “Rush” is a sports biopic that doesn’t full utilize the intriguing story it is based on. That’s not to say it’s a bad film. The are some good dramatic moments and the race scenes are things of fuel-injected beauty. But there are some narative hiccups and I just can’t help but think the film could have better used its time. For example, maybe a few less music video-styled sex scenes and more time spent on the two main female characters. I just feel that there is more to this story that could have been told and ultimately that left me wanting.

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Know Your Movies – Three Hints, One Image

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It can’t only be reviews, Phenomenal 5 lists, and commentaries, right? Know Your Movies is all about having fun. Here’s how it works: I’ll share a single shot from a movie. It can be extremely serious or completely absurd. After that I’ll provide you with three hints. The rest is up to you. Hop in the comments section and share your guess as well as any thoughts or memories you have on the movie, actor/actress, or the scene itself. It should be a blast.

Today’s image is from a film that has become a true classic. So here’s the shot. Three hints will follow.

REAR

Hint 1: Released in 1954

Hint 2: The entire film was shot on one huge set

Hint 3: Received four Academy Award nominations

Now head to the comments and share your guess. Pretty obvious, right? I would also love to hear your thoughts on the film, the scene, or anything else related to it. The correct answer will be announced first on my Twitter feed tomorrow (@KeithandMovies for those who want to follow). Now feel free to guess and discuss this movie classic.

REVIEW: “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”

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CAT POSTER

After a relatively slow start to his career, playwright Tennessee Williams struck gold with a series of hits that captivated audiences on both stage and big screen. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is one of those hits. The film adaptation is loaded with Williams’ signature sizzling dialogue and rich, complex characters. A brilliant cast including Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives, and Jack Carson spark this story of fractured relationships, family dysfunction, and the word of the day mendacity. It’s sharp, edgy, and chock full of fiery energy.

Williams’ play first hit Broadway in 1955 and it would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The film opened in 1958 and was a big success. Richard Brooks co-wrote and directed the adaptation which (as was usually the case) slightly dulled the edges of the play in order to adhere to the Motion Picture Code. Williams didn’t like the changes, so much so that he often pointed people away from the film version. Many of his plays took from his own tumultuous and contentious life making them deeply personal but sometimes turgid and overblown. Judging the movie on its own merits, I find Brooks’ version to be overflowing with great scenes, a perfectly captured setting, and dialogue that pierces with shards of realism.

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With the exception of two brief scenes the entire story takes place on a huge family estate in the Mississippi Delta. It places us with the Pollitt family, an assortment of deeply flawed and sometimes contemptible people each with more emotional baggage than any world traveler. The family patriarch is Big Daddy (Ives) who may be struggling with some life-threatening health issues. His two sons and potential heirs each have their own problems. Brick (Newman) is a raging alcoholic who hobbles around on a crutch after breaking his ankle pulling a drunken stunt. His relationship with his wife Maggie (Taylor) is as stormy as the Deep South weather. The other son Cooper (Carson in what turned out to be his final role) is more interested in his inheritance. Spurred on by his manipulative wife Mae (Madeleine Sherwood), Cooper is the quintessential brown-noser who hopes to be first in line for his daddy’s fortune.

There are so many complicated family dynamics at work. Brick and Maggie have a cold and bitter relationship that stems from harbored anger and pain. There is clear animosity between the brothers which is often fueled by their boisterous wives. There is also a disconnect between a wealthy and success-driven father and the two sons that simply wanted his love. All of these conflicts and others are woven together to create the stinging, vitriolic fabric that makes up the story. Amazingly the various family angles never conflict and there is almost a twisted poetic quality to the various contentions and quarrels.

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The story is fantastic but it’s the cast who makes it simmer. Elizabeth Taylor was never more beautiful and her sultry natural beauty and Southern charm is ever-present. Paul Newman is perfect as the angry and closed-off Brick. Surprisingly he was not the first choice. Robert Mitchum, Montgomery Clift, and even Elvis Presley all turned down the role. Carson plays a character type that he was well known for and Sherwood is convincing as the hateful and conniving Mae. But I haven’t even mentioned Judith Anderson who plays Big Daddy’s wife Big Mamma (of course). She lives in a delusional bubble where she pretends everything with her family is okay. Anderson is wonderful and many times she is the glue that binds the various fits of dysfunction we see.

Brimming with Southern personality, big but fitting performances, and a script with a bite, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” is as mesmerizing today as it was over 50 years ago. Perhaps some of the edge is missing from the Broadway production, but I found it to be a delight. It’s a beautiful cinematic creation that still proudly shows its stage show roots. And it only gets better when you consider the phenomenal cast lead by Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman. For some it falls short of a more popular Tennessee Williams adaption “A Streetcar Named Desire”. For me this film stands right there with it.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS

The Oscars Rundown…

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The 85th Academy Awards® will air live on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, 2013.

For weeks my fellow movie fans and I have talked about, wrote about, predicted, and anxiously awaited the Academy Awards and their celebration of the 2013 movie year. Well, just like that they have come and gone. On Sunday night Hollywood put on their best suits, best dresses, blinding bling, and headed to the biggest show of the year. Quite a bit of intrigue had built up leading up to show and we were left with plenty to talk about. So lets hop right into it. Here are a few thoughts in my Oscars Rundown:

  • Overall it was a pretty predictable show once again. I and many others perfectly predicted the major writing, acting, directing categories as well as Best Picture. Why are the Academy Awards so predictable? Is it because of our easy access to all of the other awards shows which usually frames the Oscar winners? Or does it reveal something within the Academy’s voting system?
  • “12 Years a Slave” joins the celebrated list of Oscar Best Picture winners. Personally I think “Gravity” is a better film, but I have no problem with “12 Years a Slave” winning. It has its flaws (I’m looking at you Brad Pitt) but it is still a powerful and piercing film that people will still be talking about 10 years from now.
  • I loved seeing Alfonso Cuaron win the Oscar for Best Director. What he accomplished with “Gravity” was monumental. The visuals were jaw-dropping and what he and his crew did to advance special effects is incredible. But it is also an emotionally satisfying story that hooked me from the start. Cuaron was the anchor.
  • “American Hustle” was tied with “Gravity” for the most nominations. In the end the David O. Russell ensemble piece went home empty-handed. Honestly I had no problem with that. For me “American Hustle” stands out only for its performances and they weren’t strong enough to beat out the more deserving ones. It’s a decent movie but it’s not one with much staying power.
  • I have to say I was sorely disappointed with how the Best Documentary category turned out. “20 Feet from Stardom” won the Oscar and it’s a nice little film. But there is no way it is as powerful or as important as “The Square” or “The Art of Killing”.
  • To my surprise Ellen DeGeneres wasn’t terrible. Her humor was a bit hit or miss but as a whole she was pretty good. She kept things lively and the participation she pulled from the audience was a lot of fun. She also managed several good laughs. Not the best host but better than I was expecting.
  • Bummed that “Nebraska” didn’t take home at least one Oscar but to be honest it wasn’t surprising. It was a long shot for every category it was nominated in. Still it was a tremendous film featuring a wonderful story, really good performances, and gorgeous cinematography. I’m thankful Oscar at least recognized it with some nominations.
  • This was an Oscar night of wonderful speeches. The two real standouts came from Lupita Nyong’o and Matthew McConaughey. Nyong’o poured out her heart and everyone could sense the appreciation and pure joy through her words. McConaughey was just a blast. He talked about what inspired him. He made it personal and heartfelt by thanking God and his family. These were just two of the many great speeches.
  • I’m still frustrated over “The Hunt” not earning more than one Oscar nomination. I was even more bummed when it lost out in its lone category – Best Foreign Language Film. “The Hunt” was a phenomenal film and it deserved a lot more recognition from the Academy than it was given.
  • Cate Blanchett was one of the more obvious winners of the night but it was such a well deserved win. She was incredible to watch as she fleshed out her fractured and emotionally complex character. Blanchett also gave us a great acceptance speech which was a real treat.
  • Everyone knew Jared Leto was going to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar so it came as no surprise when his name was announced. But I still wanted Michael Fassbender to get it. Leto was good but it was Fassbender’s work that had the bigger effect on me out of the two. Hopefully Fassy won’t have to wait a long time to win like someone else we know (right Leo?).
  • I gotta admit the mass “selfy” (which was photo-bombed by Kevin Spacey) was actually pretty funny. It certainly brought a brief halt to my live tweeting!
  • Family seemed to be a reoccurring theme throughout the Oscars. So many “thank you’s” went out to family members but there were also many people who brought their mothers, fathers, daughters, brothers, or sisters with them. It was really cool to see.
  • Some people don’t care for the “In Memorium” segment of the Oscars but I actually love them. So many greats were mentioned including Fontaine, Ebert, Gandolfini, Temple-Black, Hoffman, and Ramis just to name a few. But may I ask where was Dennis Farina??? Seriously Academy???
  • Wasn’t a bit weird that the Razzie winning actor Will Smith was selected to present the Best Picture Oscar?
  • The Oscars are always criticized for going so long and ending so late. Here’s a possible solution. Don’t wait to start the show at 8:30 Eastern/7:30 Central. I know it’s out on the West Coast but I bet the celebs could get there a little earlier.
  • I would have loved to hear John Travolta announce Chiwetel Ejiofor!

So those are just a few thoughts on cinema’s biggest night of the year. What stood out to you? Did you enjoy the show? Please take some time to share your thoughts on this year’s Academy Awards. They will be back around before you know it. See you then!

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5 Phenomenally Awful Oscar Blunders

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PHENOM 5

Well it’s that time of year again. The Academy Awards are upon us which means the glitz and glamor of Hollywood will be on display. But it also means that movies will take center stage for one fantastic evening. In honor of the illustrious Oscars I thought I would take a slightly more cynical look at them in this week’s Phenomenal 5. I’m giving you five of the biggest blunders in the history of the awards. Of course we know the Oscars are perfect. This year alone we’ve seen glaring omissions including “Inside Llewyn Davis” and Mads Mikkelsen. So considering that, I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. Still I have no problems identifying these as phenomenally awful Oscar blunders.

#5 – No Best Picture nomination for “The Dark Knight”

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Look, I know that in the grand scheme of things this is a fairly minor blunder. But my adoration for Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” is such that I had to slip it on this list. Call it gratuitous self-indulgence. For my money “The Dark Knight” is the greatest superhero film ever made. But it’s more than that. The movie really showed what the often dismissed genre was capable of. It had an incredible story, fantastic performances, brilliant action and effects. In reality I knew it didn’t stand a chance considering the typical Oscar bait that received nominations that year. But it’s still a shame because I would put “The Dark Knight” up there with any of them.

#4 – The 1953 Best Picture Debacle

GREATEST

The 25th Academy Awards were notable for being the first ceremony broadcasted on television. They were also notable for completely flubbing up the Best Picture category. It all starts with the nominations. Shockingly the great Gene Kelly classic “Singin’ in the Rain” didn’t even receive a Best Picture nomination. In fact it received only two nominations that year and lost them both. But the Academy didn’t stop there. The Best Picture winner was “The Greatest Show on Earth” which beat the highly favored (and considerably better) “High Noon”. “The Greatest Show on Earth” is widely considered the weakest Best Picture winner in Oscar history. And to think it came at the expense of two bona fide classics.

#3 – “How Green Was My Valley” beats “Citizen Kane”

KANE

The best films of 1941 duked it out and a stunning surprise winner was crowned. John Ford’s “How Green Was My Valley” upset the Orson Welles classic “Citizen Kane” to win the Best Picture Oscar. This is definitely not considered a criminal offense because “How Green” is a really good film. But it’s hard to believe that a drama about a Welsh mining town would beat what is widely considered as the greatest movie of all time. “Citizen Kane” was groundbreaking both in form and technique. It’s also a better film that deserved the Oscar. What’s rarely mentioned is that “How Green” also beat the brilliant and much better “Maltese Falcon”. A classic double fail by the Academy.

#2 – Tommy Lee Jones Wins Over Ralph Fiennes.

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Let me start by saying I really like Tommy Lee Jones and his performance in “The Fugitive” was very good. But for me it paled in comparison to Ralph Fiennes’ work in “Schindler’s List”. In portraying the Nazi Lieutenant Amon Goeth, Fiennes gives us one of the most brutal and detestable screen villains in movie history. But his performance is all the more potent because it is rooted in reality and he completely emerges himself in the role. He made me uncomfortable and unsettled and it is a defining performance. Fiennes was believed to be the sure winner. Instead he was beaten by a much lighter performance that is good but certainly not deserving.

#1 – No Oscars for Cary Grant

CARY GRANT

Let me clarify that – no ACTING Oscars for Cary Grant. Sure the Academy eventually gave him one of those “whoops, we messed up” lifetime achievement Oscars, but when it counted they never gave this deserving actor a statue. All you have to do is look at the magnificent filmography of this phenomenal actor. He excelled in screwball comedies, romantic dramas, daring thrillers. He shined under some of cinema’s best directors including Hawks, Hitchcock, and Donen. I could go on and on listing the different movies that exhibited his brilliance as an actor. The fact that none of those performances earned him an Oscar is simply astonishing.

Those are just some of Oscar’s biggest flubs. Agree or disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts and your picks for this list.

Movie Bloggers Roundtable

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The Movie Bloggers Roundtable is a new feature where I join up with four esteemed movie bloggers and we share our thoughts on a certain subject. Everyone on the panel will share their thoughts and feelings on the topic of the day and then we share them with you. The panel may change from post to post and hopefully we will get a wide range of opinions and perspectives.

With the Oscar ceremony set for tomorrow night tons of conversations are swirling about the nominees and potential winners. Today we are going to chime in on the big prize – Best Picture. Joining this roundtable is Mark from Marked Movies, Ruth from Flixchatter, Chris from Terry Malloy’s Pigeon Coup, and Sati from Cinematic Corner. I can say without hesitation that I LOVE THESE BLOGGERS. If you haven’t visited their sites you should! So here is today’s Oscar-centered question:

Who WILL win this year’s Oscar for Best Picture and who SHOULD win it?

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Keith (Keith & the Movies)

Who SHOULD win Best Picture:
For me this is an easy one to answer. Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity” was one of the most captivating and thrilling motion picture experiences I’ve had in a while. The visual artistry on display is unquestionable. Cuaron and his amazing team have created one of the most stunning and stimulating canvases you’ll ever see. But there’s also a stirring story of perseverance and personal rebirth that I found so satisfying. I’ve seen “Gravity” four times and each time I’ve left with a full heart and a full appreciation for Cuaron’s amazing accomplishment. It deserves to win Best Picture.

Who WILL win Best Picture:
While we may have a good race going for the Best Picture Oscar, there’s one film in the running that seems perfectly in line with what the Academy loves. It’s a historical piece, it deals with an emotionally charged subject, and its been a hot topic since its debut. I’m talking about “12 Years a Slave” and I believe it will win the big prize. Thankfully “12 Years” is a really good film. It’s not getting Oscar hype just because of the subject matter. It’s very well-made and it features some breathtaking performances. It’s not perfect, but it’s right up Oscar’s alley and I think it will hold off its competition.

Ruth (Flixchatter)

Who SHOULD win Best Picture:
Gravity. On top of being a technical marvel, it’s a film unlike any other in that it gives you a full immersive experience as you watch it. It’s got drama, suspense, humor, and despite being set entirely in space, an organic quality that’s stirring and emotionally gratifying. It’s a film that will be talked about for years to come, both by film students and casual moviegoers.

Who WILL win Best Picture:
12 Years A Slave. No doubt it’s one of those important films of the decade and made by a filmmaker who’s been a critical darling despite this being only his third feature. Its genre and subject matter of slavery is quite popular in the Academy, and it’s been gaining traction in other award circles.

Mark (Marked Movies)

Who SHOULD win Best Picture:
In what is one of the most hotly contested Oscar races in quite some time, it’s a tough call to predict which film will walk away with the coveted Best Picture award. Frankly, I find it shocking that the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis” never even received a nomination but again, it shows the strength of the competition this year. Personally, I think Spike Jonze’s “Her” should win as it would confirm the academy’s appreciation and support for original filmmaking. I don’t think there’s a more original movie amongst the nominees this year and “Her” certainly stands out on its own terms. That’s being said, it won’t win.

Who WILL win Best Picture:
In choosing the winner I think the academy will be deciding on the importance of the film itself and for that reason it’ll come down to two films; One will be “Gravity” for its astounding achievements and advancements on the use of 3-D but I think that will most likely be recognised in the technical departments, leaving the likes of “12 Years A Slave” to walk away victorious with the big award. The academy seem to love a solid historical drama and Steve McQueen’s film has that edge of quality and importance that will sway the voters’ decision.

Sati (Cinematic Corner)

Who SHOULD win Best Picture:
Gravity. Cuaron’s film is beautiful in every way – a technical marvel with an elegant story that makes the movie so timeless and relatable. It is a wonder and the one that has a heart.

Who WILL win Best Picture:
12 Years a Slave. The Academy loves movies about history, filled with emotional moments. And everyone during this Oscar season seem a bit too afraid to reward something other than ‘the most realistic movie about slavery ever made’.

Chris (Terry Malloy’s Pigeon Coup)

Who SHOULD win Best Picture:
It’s a pretty strong year this year and I don’t think you could begrudge any of the films a win to be honest. Each brings plenty to the table and are all well worth your time. I went back and forth between a few of them as to which I thought should win and I finally decided on Gravity.

I still think it has its problems – The script is dodgy and George Clooney thinks he’s still in a coffee advert, but it’s a film that makes you realise why you love the cinema. It’s one of the most immersive cinematic experiences I’ve ever had and actually makes good use of 3D. Any film that does that deserves to win in my eyes!

Who WILL win Best Picture:
Although there has been talk of American Hustle and Dallas Buyers Club being dark horses for the award, I see it as a straight fight between 12 Years a Slave and Gravity. These were the two cinematic juggernauts towards the back end of 2013/start of 2014 and I’d be very surprised if one of the others won.

It’s difficult to separate them but I think 12 Years a Slave is just going to nick it. It just fits the bill. The setting, the subject matter, the strong performances, the great directing; it’s the kind of thing the Academy normally laps up, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Steve McQueen picking up the well deserved Oscar.

So what is the consensus?

4 of 5 believe “Gravity” SHOULD win Best Picture

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A unanimous 5 of 5 believe “12 Years a Slave” WILL win Best Picture

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I want to thank Ruth, Mark, Sati, and Chris for participating in this inaugural Movie Bloggers Roundtable. You have heard our thoughts, now we want to hear yours. Do you like the feature? More importantly, who do you think SHOULD win Best Picture and who WILL win Best Picture. Please share you thoughts in the comments section below.