Not sure if you are aware, but the Oscars are coming on February 22nd, and through my wife’s blog, which you should all read regardless, she’s asked me to do a short write-up on a few films and performances I’ve enjoyed over this latest season.
Expectations were, for the most part, exceedingly high for many of the movies that Caitlin and I were either able to go see in theaters, or through the screeners her grandpa let us borrow. Three of my favorite movies that I won’t be writing about for the sake of our marriage (Whiplash, Boyhood, and Birdman are off limits because #1, Caitlin wants a crack at them since it is her blog, and #2, my thoughts on the movies would probably cause the directors of the films to take notice and, through a series of emotionally spell-binding but amazing, heart-warming adventures, eventually lead to world peace. Which no one wants, right?) lived up to the hype, at least in my eyes.
Expectations were, for the most part, exceedingly high for many of the movies that Caitlin and I were either able to go see in theaters, or through the screeners her grandpa let us borrow. Three of my favorite movies that I won’t be writing about for the sake of our marriage (Whiplash, Boyhood, and Birdman are off limits because #1, Caitlin wants a crack at them since it is her blog, and #2, my thoughts on the movies would probably cause the directors of the films to take notice and, through a series of emotionally spell-binding but amazing, heart-warming adventures, eventually lead to world peace. Which no one wants, right?) lived up to the hype, at least in my eyes.
I Try Not To Be A Real Richard (But It's Hard)
And then there were others that, unfortunately, did not live up to what we’d been hearing. But then again, maybe that hype was misplaced, at least in terms of being an Oscar-caliber film, which is why my wife and I are even writing these pieces for in the first place! So, before I dive in, I want to spend a short time clarifying what you need to expect from me. I look at a movie in multiple ways, and when that picture is up for an Oscar, any Oscar, it allows for those methods to expand even further. There is at first a difference between Guardians of the Galaxy and American Sniper, in case you didn’t know, but in reality these are two similar movies, at least in their actual goal. The former knew what it was when it came out, a summer super hero blockbuster that just absolutely killed at the box office. Fittingly, GOTG is nominated for “Achievement in Visual Effects” and, maybe a little more surprising, “Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling” (which, for the record, should already be awarded to The Grand Budapest Hotel. I mean, three movies for one category? And one of those movies belongs to Wes Anderson, who is basically the word “quirky” and therefore takes pride in ridiculous detail in his movies? And, remember this, the award is for which movie has the quirkiest hair and make-up essentially? Is this real life? Might as well just put the film by itself for God sakes). | Star-Lord in his natural environmentStill won't answer my phone calls. |
Meanwhile, American Sniper believes that it deserves that Best Picture nomination it picked up, along with the four others it carries into February 22nd. Now, what separates an Oscar-worthy film from the rest? What defines what we expect from what’s considered the most prestigious award you can snag in the film industry today? SPOLIER ALERT: Guardians of the Galaxy is not the typical Oscar picture. It’s a fun summer movie that gets to shine with the rest of the other, summer movies in the green-screen category. And that’s perfectly okay! I loved Guardians of the Galaxy, because it knew what it was. American Sniper, on the other hand, thinks it is an Oscar contender, when in reality it’s a summer film hidden behind the pedigree of its lead and director.
An action packed thrill-ride with side-steps into emotional family turmoil, Clint Eastwood’s movie is high on America, gimmicky when it matters most (I don’t know if that bullet headed for Mr. Olympics hung in space and time for that long in real life, but for a brief moment I thought we were watching Wanted. I was hoping for the bullet to curve and kill like, I don’t know, sixty of the Infidels, all in the same close-up, “isn’t this bad-ass” style that I expect from movies like Wanted. Or possibly the Expendables) and something I would like to watch on Netflix, for free. Don’t get me wrong, American Sniper is a fun movie, and I liked it as much as I like pretty much all summer blockbusters. But it is nowhere close to being worthy for an Oscar.
An action packed thrill-ride with side-steps into emotional family turmoil, Clint Eastwood’s movie is high on America, gimmicky when it matters most (I don’t know if that bullet headed for Mr. Olympics hung in space and time for that long in real life, but for a brief moment I thought we were watching Wanted. I was hoping for the bullet to curve and kill like, I don’t know, sixty of the Infidels, all in the same close-up, “isn’t this bad-ass” style that I expect from movies like Wanted. Or possibly the Expendables) and something I would like to watch on Netflix, for free. Don’t get me wrong, American Sniper is a fun movie, and I liked it as much as I like pretty much all summer blockbusters. But it is nowhere close to being worthy for an Oscar.
When we look at the films that win Oscars, they are unique. We award the typical movies with our cash and at critic choice awards where the celebrity is more powerful than the pictures nominated. Oscar does not stand for typical, and therefore the films that “take the cake” on February 22nd will not be the cash-cows at the box office. And that is why they should be judged differently. My opinion on any movie I discuss is my own, and therefore subject to criticism. However, if you happen to agree with my point-of-view or want to read what I think in the future, I want to warn you that I will not be breaking down the finer points of the movies like every other critic has done. I’m not here to beat a dead horse necessarily, but just say what these movies are capable of, and what they mean to me. What follows are the five specific types of movies that are normally considered Oscar contenders: · “The Feeling”: There are times in every person’s life that when they are watching a movie or a show, they just know that it has the potential to capture the attention(s) of everyone besides themselves. The world that is created for the viewer is inviting and does not disappoint. I would say Birdman holds that for me, at least this year (but you didn't hear that from me...) · “The Names”: American Hustle is a perfect example of an Oscar-bait type of movie. That film was so chock full of star actors and actresses that when they were nominated in every major category, it came with a shrug of “what did you expect?” rather than “who saw that coming?” · “The Front Runner”: Remember 12 Years a Slave? That was considered the favorite for Best Picture before it went into production (kidding…or am I?). This movie will have the attention of nearly everyone in the industry, and will tower over the rest of the films as the probable winner, even if we refuse to admit because is it my fault that I fell in love with the better movie and lost on my ballot (tell me, in what world is The King’s Speech a better and more important movie than The Social Network? Wait, wait…I’ll tell you…) · “The Classic Academy Movie”: Oh, hey there King’s Speech, we meet again. This usually is the film that is non-controversial, has a good story, and is just built to put all the Academy Voters in its pocket long before sundown of the big night. I usually enjoy these movies while I’m watching them, leave the theater and realize that they will probably beat the better movie for the award, and then sit on the couch in the living room for a good three to four hours and wonder why I care what wealthy industry players think about movies. · “The Public Champ”: How about Avatar? Or, if you want to come full circle, American Sniper. Speaking of that movie, I’m pretty certain that every American has to say they love this movie or they are shipped off to Canada as a “non-citizen”. This film is the one that every, single co-worker, friend, or family member will tell you to watch because it changed their life. Oh, and after the Oscars, this will be the movie that everyone tells you should’ve won as well (And this is who they think should win Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role…). About the WriterShawn Miller is a well-known film critic around his household. He enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic candle-lit buffet dinners for four, and treating his body like a circus on weekends. He does not represent Through Cait's Eyes in any shape or form, and strongly disagrees with what was said by the writer in this blog. For more information, feel free to call or text him if you have his number. |