Movie Critic Attempt: The Theory of Everything

Candid Critic Commentary: 3 1/2 Claps (out of 5)

The score above is really just to give a relationship to the other movies watched this Oscar season. I liked this movie. I did.

Eddie Redmayne, as Stephen Hawking, is amazing. A true physical performance that required skill and mastery, that most actors don’t have the patience or prowess to accomplish. Felicity Jones, as Jane his wife, is sweet and perfect for this role.  Watching this from home, I was able to keep Wikipedia open as I learned to story of Hawking’s life and legacy.

From a critic’s perspective, there is a lot that this movie misses for me in the story telling. It felt as though I was supposed to go into the movie knowing bits of the story ahead of time, which I didn’t. Personally, I was curious to know more about his illness and how he is able to survive well beyond his diagnosis. I left still curious about how he makes money. I wanted to know more about his feelings and emotions of having to be cared for.  It was focused on early, but then never really highlighted again.

Oscar watchers should know that this Redmayne’s portrayal is really one of the only Oscar races that seems to be tight. The votes are between him and Keaton.  My vote goes to Redmayne.

Thank goodness for Wikipedia.

Movie Critic Attempt: Whiplash

Candid Critic Commentary: 4 Claps (out of 5)

I started this movie with absolutely no expectations. I knew it was about a drummer, his mean instructor, JK Simmons ,known for his insurance commercials and being Juno’s dad (one of my favorite Oscar movies). What I didn’t know was that from the beginning of this film, I would be sitting on the edge of my seat. Like a good horror movie, Whiplash has you waiting anxiously and nervously for what could and might happen next.  Having only played the trumpet for a few years in grade school and never even being a starter on a my sport teams,  I never felt the pressure of having to perform at such a high degree.  This movie, for me, captured that feeling of wanting to be great, to be remembered for something unique and amazing. Andrew, played by Miles Teller, physically shows this obsession in every scene – without many words.

For those of you that will be watching the Oscar’s with me tonight, expect to only see one major win come from Whiplash, the supporting actor category.  JK Simmons is most deserving.  If this was one of the movies you didn’t think you wanted to see, I think you should reconsider.

Movie Critic Attempt: “The Imitation Game”

Candid Critic Commentary: 4 1/2 claps (out of five)

About  ten minutes before the credits rolled, I turned to my husband and said; “Why did it take so long to make this movie?”  “The Imitation Game” is probably one of the best stories told through film in a very long time. This movie made me want to re-enroll in college just to take World History again.  The story of Alan Turing  sheds light on everything from World War II, to gay rights, to technology. I am disappointed that it took until now for me to know more about the amazing and purposefully secretive life of Alan Turing.

I struggle to write a review of this movie because I don’t want to say anything that might by confused as a spoiler for those who haven’t seen it.  I recognize that I have not completed my 2015 Oscar journey, but at this moment, if I could pick a winner for best movie, my vote would go to “The Imitation Game”.

Movie Critic Attempt: “American Sniper”

Candid Critic Commentary: Five Claps (out of five)

A few years ago if someone would have told me that I enjoyed going to war movies, I wouldn’t have believed them.  It has truly been because of the Oscars that my appreciation for these patriotic films has flourished. With movies like “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty” nominated in the past few years, I have learned that these are about so much more than violence and politics. American Sniper falls right in line with these other Oscar winners.

“American Sniper” follows the story of Chris Kyle (it is based on his book), a Navy SEAL known for this accuracy and humble demeanor. Having seen this on opening weekend, I wasn’t surprised this movie made as much money as it did. The story it tells is one that is both important and interesting.  I am surprised as the amount of media backlash. This movie does not glamorize war, fatality or the blood shed.  Instead it reminds us, or at those of us that haven’t experienced war, that these amazing men and women on the front lines are forced to make morality decisions in the name of our country daily. I hope and pray I am never put in the same positions as Chris was throughout this movie.

Bradley Cooper encompasses Chris Kyle for this movie. His nomination is well deserved.  His both physical transformation and range as an actor were pushed for this role and, in my opinion, he was flawless.  As much as I give this movie high accolades, I also don’t expect that it will win any of the major awards on February 22nd.  I expect that the Oscar voters will be looking to redirect their praise from the war movies this year, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still take the time to watch it.

Movie Critic Attempt: “Boyhood”

Candid Critic Commentary: 3 1/2 claps (out of five) 

The second Oscar nominated movie under the microscope is “Boyhood”.  If you hadn’t heard, the truly unique element of this movie was that it was made over 12 years, truly following the stages of a boy through his school year ages (1st grade through high school graduation). It must have been difficult to keep a cast  committed to the storyline over such a long period of time, never losing their character development and not feeling disconnected.  I worried this movie would feel piece-mailed together, so I was definitely surprised to find that the transition from ages was instead subtle and interesting to watch.  “Boyhood”, much like Linklater’s other movies (eg. Before Sunset, After Sunset), this movie is about the characters and their interaction.  Don’t expect amazing sets, makeup, costumes rather soak in the dialogue.

“Boyhood” has already won the Golden Globe for best picture (drama), which makes it a true front-runner for the Oscar too.  Of the nominations it is up for, watch for it to only walk away with the highest honor of Best Picture.

Movie Critic Attempt: “Grand Budapest Hotel”

Candid Critic Commentary: 4 1/2  claps (out of five) 

Watched from the comfort of my airplane seat in route to Florida, “Grand Budapest Hotel” (GBH) was the first of my Oscar movies watched this season.  Having seen a number of Wes Anderson movies in the past (eg. The Royal Tennebaums,  Fantastic Mr Fox, Moonrise Kingdom), I didn’t approach this movie with high expectations. In the past, though I found Anderson’s directing to be both interesting and quirky, I also found myself lost and confused in this unrealistic plot lines.  GBH, is both similar and all together different.  The plot moves quickly, but easy enough to follow along.  The characters, though each odd in their own rite, are relatable and interesting. Beyond the cast and plot, this movie is fun to watch for the makeup, the sets, the quick wit and the cameos.

As much as I wouldn’t be disappointed if this movie one a major award (GPH is nominated for nine this year), I don’t expect to see it walk away with best director or best picture.  Instead I’d watch for this to win for editing, makeup, and production design.