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REVIEW: “Avengers: Age of Ultron”

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AVENGERS POSTER

It could be said that the first Avengers movie was in a ‘can’t miss’ position. Sure, with that much ambition comes a degree of risk. But fans had already shown their devotion to the Marvel movies at that point. Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor each had their own films which had earned a ton of box office cash. Bringing them altogether was sure to bring in truckloads of more money. That proved to be true to the tune of over $1.5 billion worldwide. And of course that doesn’t include home-video, merchandising, etc. More importantly, as a movie fan, the first film was fun and very satisfying.

So as is customary in modern Hollywood, a sequel was on the way and we get it in the form of “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. Writer and director Joss Whedon is back this time with a new and unique set of obstacles in front of him. First, it’s always a challenge for a sequel to recapture the magic of a successful first movie while also being distinctly its own film. Also, if Whedon thought expectations were high for the first movie, they are nothing compared to what people will expect from the sequel. And then there is the question of superhero fatigue. Can Whedon and company continue to energize a genre that has a small but growing list of detractors?

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I always give Marvel Studios credit. Their movies aren’t the assembly line sequels that we see each and every year. Certainly some films work better than others, but Marvel is always building upon their bigger cinematic universe and continuity which I enjoy. But for those not thoroughly invested it could be a legitimate stumbling block. “Age of Ultron” is unquestionably an installment – a transition chapter in this enormous franchise. Loose ends are tied up and potential plot holes related to other Marvel films are addressed throughout. Again, these are things that will satisfy fans but probably fuel the indifference of those not on board.

The film starts with our heroes attacking the snowy mountain compound of Baron von Strucker. He was the guy last seen in the mid-credits scene of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”. Strucker has obtained Loki’s scepter and is using its powers for human experiments and other nefarious practices. The results of the conflict leads Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) to fulfill an ultimate peace keeping goal of his – the creation of an ultimate A.I. named Ultron (voiced by James Spader). Ultron becomes self-sustained and self-aware and immediately begins his own plan of global peace which happens to include the distruction of the world. Tony’s mishaps with Ultron and his failure to inform his fellow Avengers of his project creates a festering tension between the team. But they must work together if they have any hope of beating this new threat and once again saving the world.

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That is just a brief set up to what is a movie jam-packed with moving parts. There are so many characters and subplots that are being serviced and it is a testament to Whedon’s writing skills that the film is coherent at all. Wrapped around the central story are countless tie-ins from previous movies and setups for future films. It truly is a miraculous feat, but it’s not a flawless one. There were a handful of things that felt terribly shortchanged occasionally to the point of making no sense at all. During these moments it was as if Whedon was saying “Look, I have so much to cover. I just need you to go with this.” Sometimes I found that a little difficult to do.

But considering the insane amount of moving parts and the hefty ground the film is asked to cover, “Age of Ultron” is an impressive accomplishment. All of the core characters are back and get their moments to shine. In fact the amount of screen time between each hero felt much more balanced than in the previous movie. It also helps to have actors who have become more and more comfortable with their characters. In addition to Downey, Jr., Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) each are a load of fun. We also get a good assortment of past side characters and some very intriguing new characters. The super powers endowed Maximoff Twins, Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Pietro (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) are an interesting addition and there is the appearance of another new character who really got my geek juices flowing.

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“Age of Ultron” is clearly a movie aimed at serving a passionate fan base  which is really good for devotees like me, but maybe not so good for those unfamiliar with or lukewarm to its many intricacies. I ate up the funny banter between each unique superhero personality. I loved the large-scaled action which seemed ripped straight from the pages of a comic book. I was interested in the future movie tablesetting even when the scenes didn’t always play out smoothly. In a nutshell, “Age of Ultron” was a fun and entertaining ride that succeeded as the central cog in Marvel’s constantly moving cinematic universe.

“Age of Ultron” is not a movie devoid of problems and your experience will probably be influenced by the degree of affection you have for these characters and this universe. As a fanboy I loved being back in this world, I laughed at a lot of the humor, and I was thrilled by the big effects and larger than life action sequences. Yet while it scratched nearly all of my itches, it’s hard not to point out the messy patches. Still considering the film’s enormous importance to the Marvel movie universe and the even higher expectations, “Age of Ultron” succeeds where so many movies would have failed. Now I’m ready to start building towards the next installment.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

REVIEW: “Short Term 12”

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SHORT TERM POSTER

“Short Term 12” opens up with a great scene featuring a supervisor from a group home for troubled teens telling a story involving a past patient to a new employee. We are dropped into this conversation as an observer and we get a brief introduction to the main characters. But without a moment’s notice the scene changes dramatically. A young boy bursts through the door and takes off towards the front gate. He’s screaming, waving his hands, and clearing he is deeply upset. The workers subdue him and the emotionally complex setting of “Short Term 12” is realized.

The movie is written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton who was inspired by his real-life experiences of working in a group home for teens. He first made this into a 2009 short film, but later developed it into a feature length picture. This was only Cretton’s second feature length movie which makes his accomplishment all the more impressive. You see, “Short Term 12” is a really good movie and much of its strength and potency can by traced back to Cretton’s pen and his raw use of the camera which perfectly captures the tone and intensity of his setting.

Short Term 12Brie Larson and Keith Stanfield

Brie Larson is unquestionably superb as the lead character Grace. She is a supervisor at the teen group home (called Short Term 12). She works alongside her boyfriend Mason (John Gallagher, Jr.) to both mentor and council a group of teens with an assortment of problems. Along the way we are introduced to them and watch as Grace interacts with them on both procedural and personal levels. Larson’s performance blew me away and there is such a natural quality to what she’s doing as an actress and within the character she is portraying. We also get some interesting scenes between Grace and Mason away from the home. At first these moments seem flimsy but they really payoff later on as the story develops.

Grace never lacks control and she is a compassionate professional when it comes to taking care of these kids. But she is especially invested in a new resident, a troubled young girl named Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever). This is where we see a different side and an interesting turn in Grace. There is a stunning and vivid dichotomy within her. She is a strong and determined woman, but she is also scarred and emotionally fragile. This adds an entirely new layer to the character and the film that I really responded to.

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At no point does “Short Term 12” feel fabricated or overly melodramatic. There is a stinging realism that permeates the entire picture. It constantly draws out raw emotion from its characters and the situations and circumstances are believable and often times troubling. There are a couple of characters than dance dangerously close to stereotypes and their stories take some fairly predictable turns. But overall the film sucks you in and exposes you to truths about these teens and the people gifted with the patience and will to help them.

I tip my hat to Destin Daniel Cretton for crafting a movie that doesn’t lose itself in the typical Hollywood contrivances and forced melodrama that we get these days. I also applaud Brie Larson who not only showed she can act, but she gives an incredible performance that is grounded and always feels true. There are waves of emotions that flow throughout the movie and the story keeps you thoroughly invested. “Short Term 12” is another great example of the strength of independent cinema and the impact these films can have on the movie-making landscape.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

REVIEW: “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”

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Lee Daniels’ 2013 drama “The Butler” is very loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, an African-American man who served as a White House butler for 34 years before retiring in 1986. During those years Allen served under 7 different presidents and became a beloved member of the White House staff. “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” is built on these handful of facts but goes on to invent its own story which is sometimes too overt and preachy but at other times intensely powerful.

In the film Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker) is the main character. His life is quite different from the real life of Eugene Allen. Cecil grows up on a cotton plantation and endures plenty of horrors. But a series of fortunate events sees him eventually being hired as a butler to the White House during the Eisenhower administration. During his years at the White House huge nation-changing events occur which not only effect the presidents he serves but his family at home.

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Speaking of his family, Lee Daniels and screenwriter Danny Strong go heavy on the dramatic family dynamics. His wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) is a boozing shrill whose attitude can change in a second. His oldest son Louis (David Oyelowo) is a disgruntled young man who would rather be proactive in the fight for equality. His youngest son Charlie (Elijah Kelley) is the fun-loving baby of the family who enlists to go to Vietnam. They are all built for high drama and we get plenty of it. Some of it really works on an emotional level. Other times it feels contrived and utterly predictable.

The film seeks to create a historical profile chronicling race relations in the United States. Much of this is done surrounding the Louis character. He ends up going to a college down south where he partakes in various action groups. This leads to protests, arrests, and even encounters with the Klu Klux Klan. There are moments where the tension is incredibly well developed and the discomfort of what you’re watching is powerful. But there are also a few things that I couldn’t quite shake. For example Louis happens to be present at so many of the events that made headlines from the Alabama bus firebombing to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. His presence certainly helps out the story but feels more or less like plot devices.

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But it’s Cecil who is the real attraction and Whitaker is amazing. He is the real heart of this picture and watching him age as the film moves forward makes you feel as if you’ve been on a journey with him. It is hard to gauge at times what Daniels thinks of the character but I thought he was compelling. I also loved the work of David Oyelowo. The 37-year old actor actually first appears as a teenager and is very convincing. But he’s even better as his character springboards into some of the film’s more powerful scenes. The supporting cast is strong and features Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, and Vanessa Redgrave just to name a few. Then there is the unusual assortment of actors who play the presidents. The strongest performances come James Marsden who plays Kennedy and Alan Rickman who plays Reagan. Perhaps the weakest is Robin Williams who is oddly cast as Eisenhower.

Even with the film’s ambition and deeply moving moments, “The Butler” still comes across as a big Hollywood piece. That’s not always bad. There are several big moments that work very, very well. But the further I got into the movie the more it felt scripted. Unlike the more raw and organic “12 Years a Slave”, this film seems to be more dependent on plot gimmicks and melodrama. It also can’t help but get a tad political specifically in the final third of the film. Still, I can’t downplay the great work by the cast led by Forest Whitaker. He’s simply brilliant. I also really enjoyed the smarter and more focused scenes which can be both inspirational and challenging. I just wish we had been given a few more of them.

VERDICT – 3 STARS

COMIC BOOKS 101 – WHO ARE THE AVENGERS? PART 1

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I’m fairly certain that by now everyone knows about this Friday’s release of Marvel’s “The Avengers”. All week I’ve looked at all things superheroes from special Phenomenal 5 lists to flashback reviews. I think it’s also safe to say that most people know that “The Avengers” is based on a comic book superhero team. The characters were first introduced years ago through Marvel Comics. As a comic book nerd, I thought it would be fun to introduce moviegoers to the movie’s characters from a comic book perspective. Each of these characters have a full and rich comic book history. With that in mind, let me introduce you to The Avengers that I grew up reading and loving.

CAPTAIN AMERICA

Steve Rogers experienced a lot of hardship at a young age. He grew up during The Great Depression and both of his parents died while he was still a teenager. A key moment in Steve’s life was when he saw news reports of the atrocities being carried out during World War 2. He enlisted in the U.S. Army but was rejected due to his physical frailty. Steve was given a second chance by Dr. Abraham Erskine, creator of the Super Soldier Serum. Steve was the experiment’s first and only success. Erskine was murdered before sharing his formula. As a result of the experiment, Steve gained body muscle and mass along with lightning reflexes. Through training he became the ultimate super soldier.

Steve fought in World War 2 and became known as Captain America. He served as an inspiration to a war-weary country. It was there he met his sidekick and dear friend Bucky Barnes. They fought through several memorable campaigns with troops and with other superheroes (known as the Invaders). But as the war’s end drew closer, Cap and Bucky were on a mission to destroy a drone rigged with explosives that had been launched by Baron Zemo. The two were on the drone as it exploded in air and both were believed to be killed. Cap had actually plunged into the icy waters below but was saved by the super soldier serum. His body went into a state of suspended animation. It wasn’t until years later that Steve was found by Namor still frozen. The newly formed team called “The Avengers” took Steve, thawed him, and he eventually became their first recruit.

After joining The Avengers, Cap immediately was recognized for his leadership skills. He led the team in epic battles against the likes of Kang the Conqueror, Ultron, The Masters of Evil, and many more. He also found himself up against old enemies like Baron Zemo and his arch-nemesis The Red Skull. But one of the biggest moments in the history of Captain America came at the end of what was known as The Civil War. Following an incident that killed hundreds of civilians, the American government issued The Super-Human Registration Act which required anyone with super-human powers to register with the government. This act split the superhero community in half. Iron Man led the pro-registration group while Captain American led the underground anti-registration group. The conflict was solved when Cap turned himself in. On the steps of the federal courthouse where Steve Rogers was to be indicted, he was assassinated in an elaborate plot orchestrated by The Red Skull.

But as with all good superheroes, you can’t keep him down. Over a year later it was learned that Steve Rogers wasn’t dead. He returned where he continues to lead a group of Avengers and is currently involved in the intense “Avengers vs X-Men” storyline. Steve Rogers has always been my favorite Marvel superhero and this only touches on his history. He’s a much more layered and complex character than you may believe and so far the movie’s are doing him justice.

 

IRON MAN

Anthony “Tony” Stark is the son of the wealthy industrialist Howard Stark. Tony showed himself to be a creative genius at an early age, excelling in everything from engineering to mathematics to physics while still in his teens. But Tony’s relationship with his father wasn’t a perfect one. He eventually inherited his father’s company, Stark Industries, at a very early age. He turned the company into the foremost weapons manufacturers in the world and quickly became a multi-billionaire. His big moment came when he was overseeing the testing of a new weapon for the head of a Communist regime. But there was an accident and Tony was seriously injured. A sharp piece of shrapnel was lodged in his heart. The Communists agreed to save Tony’s life but only if he built them a secret weapon. Tony agreed but instead used the time to create a device that was keep his heart beating as well as a suit of heavily armed armor which he used to escape.

Upon returning home (with the help of James “Rhodie” Rhodes who would become a life long friend), Tony began tinkering with the armored suit idea. Tony was still arrogant and self-absorbed and he saw the suit as another opportunity to make more money and gain more power in the weapons manufacturing business. But soon he found that the suit could serve a greater good. He maintained that the “Iron Man” was his bodyguard but secretly he used the suit to battle all sorts of threats. Only a trusted few knew that Tony was Iron Man, including his trusted secretary Pepper Potts. Tony and Pepper always had an “interesting” relationship. Her dedication to him, even through trying times, could never be questioned.

Tony was instrumental in forming the superhero group called The Avengers. Not only was he a founding member, but it was his mansion in New York that later became Avenger’s Mansion. His vision for The Avengers was to be a force for good. To protect against all threats global or intergalactic. But Tony private life sometimes conflicted with the image The Avengers wanted to project. He was known for his womanizing and became a self-destructive alcoholic. There were also issues with him being on a team protecting the great good while also being a manufacturer of weapons for all sorts of bad people. It took time but Tony really evolved as a person. He eventually controlled his drinking (although it remains a personal demon of his and has reared it’s ugly head once again) and stopped the manufacturing of weapons.

Stark has fought a wide assortment of enemies individually and as an Avenger. He’s battled those wishing to overthrow and take control of his company as well as more global threats. He was a key player in the destructive superhero Civil War and was viewed by many as the man behind many of the problems that caused it. Tony saw many friends turn against him during that period. But time heals all wounds in comic book land and bigger threats require pasts to be forgotten. Tony Stark has patched up his relationships with Thor and Captain America and they continue to fight all kinds of evil as members of The Avengers. Tony Stark is a character with a great Avengers history but with a lot of humanity as well. His real life struggles were pretty bold when first introduced into comics and the fact that he is an imperfect person makes him all the more intriguing.

HULK

The story of Bruce Banner may be one of the saddest in the Marvel universe. He grew up in a dysfunctional home. While he had a loving mother, his father, an accomplished physicist hated him. His father was an unhinged alcoholic who was eventually institutionalized after murdering Bruce’s mother. This left Bruce very closed off as he grew up. He kept all of his pain to himself and didn’t have a social life. This would later play an important role in Banner’s transformation. Bruce was still a brilliant young man and excelled in nuclear physics. He got a job working for the U.S. government. This is also where he first met Betty Ross. The two quickly fell in love. It was also here where Bruce was working on a secret weapon known as the Gamma Bomb. It was during a Gamma Bomb test that Bruce was showered with high levels of radiation. The radiation is what caused him to transform into the large, extremely powerful monster which would become known as Hulk.

Banner’s transformation into Hulk was linked to the release of adrenaline into his system. Whenever he became excited or angered he would turn into the powerful creature. While as Hulk, he would gain body mass, strength, and agility. But he would also lose the brilliance of Banner cause him to be more of a wrecking ball than a tactical fighter. The military immediately fought to contain Hulk. Led by Thunderbolt Ross, Betty’s father, they chased and fought Hulk to no avail. Hulk went into hiding but found time to fight a wide assortment of enemies. He turned from grey to green and evolved into a popular Marvel hero.

Hulk’s association with The Avengers is a strange one. He was a founding member of the team and fought the team’s first real threat, Dr. Doom. But Hulk and The Avengers had a falling out and he quit the team shortly after they were founded. Hulk found himself at odds with both them and The Fantastic Four causing him to once again go his own way. Hulk found himself on the run from everyone. Recognizing his immense power, he was often the object of manipulation making it harder for him to trust people. Banner constantly looked for ways to “cure” himself just wanting a normal life where he could be with Betty. But his attempts resulted in more failure. The Hulk did find a home for a while with The Defenders, but his story is mostly one of loneliness and pain.

More recently, Hulk was jettisoned to an uninhabited planet by a superhero group known as The Illuminati (Iron Man served on the group of higher minds). The group thought sending Hulk there would get rid of the threat he posed once and for all. But their plan went wrong and he landed on a gladiator alien planet called Sakaar. Here he fought until ultimately overthrowing the planet’s leadership. He placed himself as King of Sakaar, even falling in love and having a child. But his family was killed when the shuttle that brought him to the planet exploded. Enraged, Hulk assembled a team and headed to earth where he engaged in a brutal revenge-fueled war against earth’s superheroes. Hulk’s rage was eventually quenched but not without causing more stress in his relationships with the other heroes. There have been several incarnations of the Hulk and a Hulk family in comics. For me the Hulk isn’t as good these days as he once was but he still has a history of great but sad storylines.

To be continued……..

5 PHENOMENAL SUPERHERO MOVIES

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You may have heard that a little movie called “The Avengers” hits theaters this Friday. In honor of this highly anticipated, sure to be blockbuster I thought it would be fun to spend some time this week looking at the hugely popular superhero genre. I’m doing two Phenomenal 5 lists this week starting with 5 Phenomenal Superhero Movies. Now with the title “superhero” my intentions are to stay within the comic book arena. Since the genre has grown there are many movies to choose from. But these are five that made the cut for me. As always I wouldn’t call this the definitive list, but there’s no doubt that these 5 superhero movies are absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – “X-MEN” (2000)

Bryan Singer’s “X-Men” should be thanked for its role in relaunching superhero movies into the popular money-makers they are today. Here Singer does a great job of introducing the team and effectively laying the groundwork for what the team was all about. Another great thing is the fun casting. Patrick Stewart is absolutely perfect as Charles Xavier and Hugh Jackman stole the show with his portrayal of Wolverine. Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, and Halle Berry are also well cast. While some of the dialogue is a little clunky, the story is well written and even though dealing with some heavier underlying themes it doesn’t take itself to seriously. “X-Men” spawned two sequels, neither as good as the first film. But “X-Men” is a movie I can watch anytime.

#4 – “SPIDER-MAN” 2 (2004)

I really enjoyed the first Spider-Man film but this was a case where the sequel was better than it’s predecessor. With the constraints of an origin story behind him, director Sam Raimi puts together a sharp, action-packed story pitting Peter Parker (Tobey Mcguire) against Dr. Octopus (Alfred Molina). The character development and story progression is very well done, the production design is at a higher level, and the movie as a whole is much more polished. Molina is fantastic and the special effects are a blast. The train scene alone is worth the price of admission. Unfortunately the third movie flew completely off the rails instead of building on the success of this film. But “Spider-Man” 2 remains a great example of how to make a really good sequel.

#3 – “BATMAN BEGINS” (2005)

When I heard Christopher Nolan had signed on to do “Batman Begins” I was immediately intrigued. Batman is my favorite comic book hero and I was still bitter at how Joel Schumacher had left the previous Batman franchise in shambles. How happy I was to see Nolan not only successfully reboot the franchise but develop an enthralling film that captured the fun elements of a comic book movie as well as a darker and more fitting tone for the Batman character. Christian Bale is great as Bruce Wayne and Gary Oldman is the perfect Jim Gordon. Throw in Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy, and Morgan Freeman and you have a brilliant cast that perfectly fits Nolan’s vision. “Batman Begins” is not only a really good movie, but it sets the foundation for what has been an incredible franchise so far.

#2 – “IRON MAN” (2008)

I remember when I first heard that an Iron Man movie starring Robert Downey, Jr. was coming soon. I didn’t see how on earth Downy, Jr. could play the role of Tony Stark and I pretty much doomed the movie to failure. Not only was I wrong about the movie but I have no problem saying that Robert Downey, Jr. IS Tony Stark! “Iron Man” is a well crafted and incredibly well written movie that rides Downey, Jr.’s performance. It takes a second tier Marvel superhero and catapults him into the lead role of the upcoming Avengers film. There’s some fun supporting work from Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Terrence Howard and some jaw-dropping special effects. “Iron Man” is a brilliant franchise-launching origin story and a super fun action popcorn picture. It’s incredibly well done and Robert Downey, Jr. is a blast to watch.

#1 – “THE DARK KNIGHT” (2008)

“The Dark Knight” is the second movie in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and I have no problem calling it the best superhero / comic book movie of all time. But it can’t be confined to just the superhero genre. It’s an incredible film that can stand its ground against any movie from any genre. Nolan’s vision takes Bruce Wayne and Gotham City down a much darker and more violent path with the introduction of The Joker played by Heath Ledger. Ledger gives a stunning and unforgettable performance that won him the posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Nolan’s direction is near perfect and his slick style is evident throughout the film. The special effects are very well done and Hans Zimmer’s score is a perfect fit. Bale, Oldman, Freeman, and Caine all return and Aaron Eckhart makes a great Harvey Dent. “The Dark Knight” is a comic book movie but one that never strays to far from reality. It’s dark and intense but it’s also an exercise in precision filmmaking. It’s a movie that legitimizes the superhero genre and one of my favorite movies of all time.

There you have it. What do you think of my list? See a glaring omission? What are you favorite superhero movies?

Oscar – The morning after…

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Well it has come and gone. The 2012 Oscars seemed to get here in a hurry and be done just as quick. As usual for the more recent Oscars, there were few surprises. Most of the “Big 6” went as I predicted and the only real surprises were with the technical awards. But overall it was a fun night. Here’s a few thoughts…

Billy Crystal hosted the 2012 show after the Eddie Murphy debacle (or should I say the Brett Ratner debacle) and he did a solid job. Unlike last year’s odd and sometimes uncomfortable hosting from James Franco and Anne Hathaway, this was more grounded but still quite funny. Crystal used several tried-and-true antics such as the song detailing the Best Picture Nominees and the “What they’re thinking” segment. I found them and several of Crystal’s adaptive one-liners to be very funny. Several of the presenters provided some good laughs including Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, Emma Stone, Chris Rock (I was surprised, too), and of course Robert Downey, Jr. Oh, and c’mon Academy! Am I the only one who thinks that Downey, Jr. would be the funniest Oscars host of all time? Sign him up.

“Hugo” ended the night with five Oscars. It was awarded for its technical achievements and it’s hard for me to argue with that. “A Seperation” won for Best Foreign Language film which was followed by a rather unusual acceptance speech from director Asghar Farhadi. “The Descendants” won Best Adapted Screenplay and I was thrilled that “Midnight in Paris” won for Best Original Screenplay. Of course Woody Allen wasn’t there but did we ever expect him to be?

The supporting categories went exactly as expected. Octavia Spencer (The Help) and Christopher Plummer (Beginners) had already been christened the winners well before the ceremony began and that’s exactly how things played out. Spencer gave one of the most genuine and emotional acceptance speeches of the night and Plummer became the oldest Oscar winner ever. It was good seeing Nick Nolte recognized with a nomination even though I’m not sure he knew where he was last night.

Meryl Streep won Best Actress for her performance in “The Iron Lady”. That category had turned into a two person race and I really felt that Viola Davis had a good chance to win. But Streep was awarded for a performance that certainly outweighed the rather mundane and mixed reviewed movie. The Oscar media had tried their best to sell the whole Clooney (“The Descendants”) versus Pitt (“Moneyball”) Best Actor race. But as I expected (and hoped), Jean Dujardin won the Oscar for his wonderful performance in “The Artist”. Working with several more handicaps than the other nominees, Dujardin nailed his performance and deserved the award. His acceptance speech and subsequent dance showed his enthusiasm and I found myself applauding from my recliner.

The night only got better for “The Artist”. Michael Hazanavicius won the Best Director Oscar which is almost always a sign of which film will win Best Picture. Last night was no different. Hazanavicius’ gutsy project won Best Picture and I have no problem with it. While I was personally rooting for “The Tree of Life”, this was a case where the Academy got it right. “The Artist” was a nostalgic but touching film that felt plucked right out of the silent movie era. I loved seeing it win.

So while it was a fairly predictable night, it was a good night. The stars played dress-up and movie fans witnessed new films and new performances added to that Valhalla of motion picture history. I went 5 for 6 in the “Big 6” categories so that speaks to the shows lack of suspense. But there were some genuinely funny moments and some good movies received their due.