Maybe it’s just me; but the last year has been unspectacular at the cinema. Which makes it rather difficult to be excited about tonight’s annual self-congratulatory wank-fest that is the Oscars.
Most of the “Best Picture” nominations are competent enough movies; but none really stands out, other than perhaps 12 Years a Slave, which tackles a subject most Caucasians would rather forget in sufficiently harrowing detail that you are unlikely to come out of the cinema and immediately forget it. That’s probably reason enough to give it a statue, because the rest are entertaining without being emotionally engaging.
And on the entertainment scale, nothing comes close to Gravity, provided you experienced it on an IMAX screen in 3D (if you didn’t, you are prohibited from bitching about it). The script is dire, the story is weak, the actors have little do (although Sandra Bullock does look good in what probably isn’t standard issue space suit undergarments). But the spectacle is pretty damn impressive, especially so the seventeen minute continuous opening sequence. Gravity deserves every technical Oscar it has been nominated for; and it might even warrant a Best Director to mark the creative vision of Alfonso Cuaron. But best picture? Nah.
American Hustle was a lot of fun with great acting all round, especially by Christian Bale who changed from the skinny extremes of The Mechanic to sporting a substantial paunch; a long way from Batman. But the story/directing/editing could not match the acting; resulting a rather disappointing, sometimes confusing, rarely engaging couple of hours. Could have been a whole lot better than it was.
Dallas Buyers Club is based on the true story of HIV positive Ron Woodroof who imported unapproved HIV drugs into America and sold them on to a “club” of willing fellow-sufferers. Matthew McConaughey stars, and damn good he is too; as is Jared Leto as a ladyboy; although they weren’t called that in Dallas in the 1980s. Surprisingly fun and upbeat entertainment given the subject matter and Oscar possibilities for McConaughey or Leto. * The Wolf of Wall Street*. Three hours of hedonistic mayhem courtesy of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo di Caprio. Load of fun, but didn’t feel that either of them were operating outside their comfort zone. Sorry guys, I am sure you enjoyed making the movie; but no gold statues for you tonight.
Captain Philips - Tom Hanks in earnest mode as his ship is hijacked by Somali pirates. “Based on a true story” and Paul Greengrass does his make you feel you are dropped into the action thing very well. Solid entertainment, and maybe a supporting actor gong for Barkhad Abdi for being a very convincing Somali pirate (not that I know what a Somali pirate actually looks like).
Nebraska, Philomena and Her; well I haven’t actually watched them yet; but I am sure they are good movies; but not good enough for the top prize.
Before leaving this Oscar nonsense; just a mention of a nominee in the documentary category: The Act of Killing. Firstly, it will win. Secondly, watch it; it’s a chilling revisit of the slaughter of a million “communists” in Indonesia, with those involved in the slaughter recreating the events by making little movies. Powerful viewing.
Pondering further, perhaps the reason that cinematic offerings fail to make the impact they used to is that there are now series on TV which are every bit as good, and often better, than the Hollywood two hour movie experience. Breaking Bad was an example of this, and I still have a withdrawal hangover; but a couple of new finds have cheered me up.
House of Cards - Kevin was kind enough to bring the first series for me when he visited and I consumed it with great relish; then immediately downloaded the thirteen episodes of series two and watched that in two days. The very wonderful Kevin Spacey as an ambitious, amoral American politician who will go to any lengths to advance his career. Supported by his wife (Robin Wright), there is nothing they won’t do, nobody they won’t destroy. It’s intelligent, vindictive viewing; and I have yet another hangover as I wait anxiously for series 3.
True Detective- Matthew McConaughey (again) and Woody Harrelson as detectives who investigate a gruesome murder which appears may be the work of a serial killer. The action takes place across seventeen years via multiple timelines and you need to concentrate to keep up with the various threads. It’s complicated, gloomy, but gripping television. Given the way it is structured, it is hard to see how they can take it further than one series; but no doubt they will find a way; which means yet another hangover. Media consumption can be so tiring.
Having covered movies and TV, let me leave you with a something else to fill your waking hours: The Room, Two. * The Room* was a graphical puzzler for IOS which provided many hours of happy head scratching a year or so ago. Now there is The Room, Two; which is more of the same.
The gameplay is identical. You go into a room and there are one or more objects there. By interacting with them, you gradually work out the secret of the room; which leads you to the next room and more puzzles. There is a story of sorts but it is mainly nonsense and of no consequence to the puzzle solving requirements. The graphics and sound effects are very well done, best experienced on an iPad. All of the puzzles are obvious once you have solved them; but many will make you think for some time. If you get really stuck there is a help system which gives you increasingly instructive nudges towards the answer; best avoided for most satisfaction.
The only downside of the game is that there is no replay value, no fun in working through it again once you know the answers. Which means, as I have finished it, another emotional hangover until The Room, Three is released.
All these hangovers, I need a drink.
Comments 🔗
2014-03-02| Ivo saysThe Act of Killing … will have to download that one. I traveled in Indonesia and after so many years I could notice there was still an impact of this forgotten war against communism. This btw also happened in our wonderful host country of the moment.
2014-03-03| Spike saysWell, the Oscar judges didn’t agree with me. but 20 Feet From Stardom is worth a watch too; even if it does have Sting in it.
Apart from that; technical awards and best director for Gravity; check. Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave; check. Actor and supporting actor awards for McConaughey and Leto; check.
2014-03-04| galumay saysDamn, somehow I had forgotten about your blog and havent checked in for months, oddly I was just watching a show on Thai Ladyboys due to the lunch break in the cricket in SA, and somehow that made me recall your blog and my absent minded failure to check in!
Anyway, House of Cards is my favourite of the last 12 months, watched season 2 over a couple of nights and will now suffer withdrawal waithing for S3.
Have you caught Lilyhammer? Has the guy out of the Sopranos, Steven Van Zandt who is also an accomplished musician. (guitarist with Springsteen’s E Street Band). Its not in the class of House of Cards or The Wire etc, but its fun and entertaining if slightly unbelievable at times.