VFX (Visual Effects) (Rhythm&Hues)

VFX (Visual Effects) (Rhythm&Hues).

VFX (Visual Effects) (Rhythm&Hues)

This green square is meant to point out the terrible state of the VFX (visual effects) industry, in particular the recent bankruptcy of Rhythm & Hues, which won the BAFTA Award for its work on “Life of Pi”. During the Oscars on Sunday night, about 400 protesters gathered outside the Dolby Theatre to bring awareness to Rhythm & Hues’ bankruptcy woes and to the need for unionization of the VFX industry. This month, more than 250 employees of the house were fired without pay due to crushing financial problems.

Rhythm & Hues filed for Chapter 11 last week after winning the BAFTA award. The house has been behind the visual effects of some hugely acclaimed films like the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Hunger Games” and “The Golden Compass.”

Best Adapted Screenplay by Chris Terrio-Academy Awards 2012 (Argo)

Best Adapted Screenplay by Chris Terrio-Academy Awards 2012 (Argo)

Here is the link to the full script of “Argo” and it’s fresh from it’s impressive Academy Awards win last night for Chris Terrio in the Best Adapted Screenplay.

Best Adapted Screenplay-The Academy Awards

Best Adapted Screenplay-The Academy Awards

The Heart and Head Pics

Best Supporting Actor: All these actors are award winners so there is no unwritten rule that one deserves it over another. My heart says Tommy Lee Jones for “Lincoln” but my head says Robert De Niro  for “Silver Linings Playbook” in a shocker.

Best Supporting Actress: This is Anne Hathaway‘s to lose as Fantine in “Les Misérables” so that’s my head and my heart says Helen Hunt for “The Sessions.”

Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino for “Django Unchained” is my heart and heads unified pick.

Best Adapted Screenplay: My heart says David O. Russell for “Silver Linings Playbook” but my head says Chris Terrio for “Argo.”

Best Animated Film: My heart says “Brave” but my head says “Wreck-It Ralph.”

Best Foreign Film: My heart says “Kon-Tiki” but my head says “Amour.”

Best Director Not Named Ben Affleck: My heart says David O. Russell but my head says Steven Spielberg.

Best Picture: My heart says “Silver Linings Playbook” but my head says “Argo.”

Overall there are about 7 films in this years round up that will be studied in film schools from now until the end of time. Ben Affleck has become our generations Clint Eastwood, and David O. Russell has softened, matured and gotten better if that’s even imaginable and say what you will Mr. Harvey Weinstein is a true Oscar legend.

Oscars: Best Actor

This is one of the strongest actor fields since 1975 when Art Carney (“Harry and Tonto“) beat Albert Finney (“Murder on the Orient Express,”) Dustin Hoffman and (“Lenny,”) Jack Nicholson (“Chinatown“) and the unforgivable slight; Al Pacino for (“The Godfather: Part II“) and there are no sentimental “Nortons” in this years field.

Joaquin Phoenix‘s performance as Freddie Quell in”The Master” was in this class the least seen film of the five nominees. It was probably the one actors everywhere were in awe of. His performance is physical and expressive and when it came out in the late spring people who ran to see it  warned those following suit that the film was dark; which was code for Mr. Phoenix nailed the tortured, lost soul of a man who may never understand the depth of his hellish mind and soul.

Denzel Washington‘s portrayal of Whip Whitaker in (“Flight“) may be considered the trap nominee. Is Mr. Washington’s reputation give him the benefit of the doubt in the nominations game. Well, in this particular case the performance takes him to new heights (No pun intended) and he plays flawed as well as charming and although he’s a reluctant hero his greater problem is he’s a reluctant truth sayer. He either changes and faces redemption or if not he’d be really be the lead in a film made for films sake. A bona fide star and actor are often never in the same room together at the same time; Mr. Washington once again deserves his nomination for showing us all the duality of man.

Bradley Cooper makes the transition from movie star to actor in one fell swoop in David O. Russell‘s “Silver Linings Playbook” and what a time to transition to our modern day Cary Grant. He plays Pat a bi-polar man unaware of the harm he’s caused and the real situation he’s in and the long journey ahead which is clouded to him but obvious to those around him. The good and bad news is he’s surrounded by family and a widow who acts out sexually to help her in her grieving. The spin and it’s a play on words is he and Tiffany played by Jennifer Lawrence find their turning points with all things-dance.

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean in (Tom Hooper‘s directed and the Academy’s le grande snub # 2) Les Misérables opens the film unrecognizable and when you come to the belief  that that’s really him you just watch his transformation from hapless prisoner, parolee and citizen who must live on the run and out of sight. The film had all their actors sing live and not to track. That means Mr. Jackham never stopped singing. He is the only person who could have pulled off this role to a film that took years to make and transition from stage to screen. He is physical, subtle and gives a performance the Academy would love to reward if it weren’t for the fact that:

Daniel Day-Lewis and his stunning performance in “Lincoln” as the sixteenth President seems like the most likely award  “Lincoln” is to win; however, you’re talking about the Academy and a tradition and secret set of rules that never get written down because they change on an individual basis. Will the Academy let Mr. Lewis be a three time Oscar winner because they didn’t let many a brilliant actor get in that rare air. He personifies the president and is as subtle and demanding on the eyeball as his co-nominees but ultimately you believe you’re watching home movies and no one else could be more convincing.

But, my heart says Mr. Lewis but my head says that a split-vote for Mr.’s Lewis and Jackman may pull the name of a Mr. Cooper or Mr. Phoenix.

Head says: Daniel Day Lewis gets the trifecta.joaquinp

 

Oscars:Best Actress

The voting membership from one day to the next changes generations wise by two. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) sometimes get it right; and when they flub so seriously  like Mr. Ben Affleck‘s snub for Best Director which followed in his sweeping every awards season leading up to last week’s WGA Awards.

So, the story is no longer lack of roles for women. The story is women are becoming more and more powerful on screen, behind the scenes and in the direction of film (Megan Ellison,.

This years crop of Best Actresses seems like a two person race but the depth of the nominees mean that the remaining three would have won easily in other years.

However, if international voters and awards ceremonies like bafta.org and the César Awards are any indication there is an 85 year old grand damé in the mix who is a generational peer of most Academy voters by the name of Emmanuelle Riva in “Amour.” She blinks, she disappears mentally right before your eyes and portrays dementia as painfully accurate as possible. It’s a dire, bleak film without anything but performances to keep it a once must see.

Quvenzhané Wallis plays the only “adult” in the splendid film “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” She’d make Oscar history in the other opposite age spectrum from Ms. Riva. She was five when she auditioned and six when filming began and to see her at the ripe old age of 9 doing press for the film it makes her performance even more surreal and that no one else in the world could have played this role with the conviction and power she did and if she could do that at six she’ll be among the elite five for long, long periods of time.

Naomi Watts played the real life Maria Belon and her unexpected reality with tsunami in Thailand and the disaster of losing contact with her family and the strong drive she had to put back all the pieces. “The Impossible” was a little seen film but those who saw it know Ms. Watts deserves her nomination.

The race begins here between Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain for their roles in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Zero Dark Thirty” respectively. Both stars keep your eyes off their cast mates and in the case of Ms. Lawrence that remarkable considering who her cast mates were. Tiffany is a widow, and is processing that burden her way. She has a “perfect” sister that impedes her focus and she deals with her issues with the therapeutic power of dance. Her character has the strength to add the most unlikely of partners and either by design or divine changes a man who changes her.

Ms. Chastain is a composite of an actual CIA operative who after 9/11 must deal with the procedural differences in transitional presidential administrations. Torture, information, and prisoners are in her opinion worthless unless for the pursuit of the sole target of her desire, Osama Bin Laden. Ms. Chastain is relentless and her character conveys the red tape and hesitancy in progress in governmental machinery decisions. If it weren’t for her character and the facts are accurate Mr. Obama would never have had the ability to claim Bin Laden’s end on his watch without her.

My heart and head say this is the year of Jennifer Lawrence but because this is the Academy and there are those in Ms. Riva’s age bracket at the very least I label her the longshot who sometimes ends up in the winner’s circle.

 

Spirit Awards: Best Supporting Male

Five actors who students of the craft would all change places with in a heartbeat. They have glorious futures and incredible pasts. This makes the Spirit Awards special people known for their blockbuster pasts and the character actors who steal scenes and movies.

Bruce Willis, has been a person you can’t keep your eyes off from the little screen to the big screen. He made bad films that made him wealthy but what is forgotten is that anyone would have done the same and that doesn’t diminish his acting chops. So, when “The Sixth Sense” and “Pulp Fiction” come around they’re seen as “Comeback” vehicles when in reality they are roles any actor would be crazy not to take. Captain Sharp is “Moonrise Kingdom” lone mature adult. He is the protector of all on his island and when the runaway hijinks of the stars Suzy and Sam set the search in motion he leads with his quite, controlled approach. It’s during the search and spring to action that it’s revealed what he does in his spare time and it comes to light he is the grown up Sam and Suzy’s mom, the ever amazing Frances McDormand is the grown up Suzy. The star crossed lovers go to rescue the teen version of themselves from forbidden love. Mr. Willis showcases his movie star brilliance with his forgotten origins as an actor of tremendous execution.

Sam Rockwell plays a character similar to other characters he’s played in the past. He is the creator of the impending action in “Seven Psychopaths” and as “Billy” you are uncomfortably rooting for him to succeed in continuing the actions necessary to make a perfect murder mystery script come to life! He is the most comfortable of the “Psychopaths” in the day to day thoughts to action one might take to earn that moniker.

Michael Peña is the best actor to come out of San Fernando High since? Well, he’s it. So, being no stranger to any of the highs and lows that come with his role of “End of Watch” he plays the loving father, husband and more seemingly important because the nature of the business parter to his fellow officer Brian Taylor (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and brings the humanity necessary to his character Mike Zavala. There is a perceived perception that a mentor or role model sometimes has to be an elder to your age and that his or her experience is more vital than one of your peers. This film succeeds because of the fact that these two men and officers learned, encouraged, honored and disobeyed as a team and not one-sided. Michael Peña will always be a workhorse because he’s a sure bet to finish in the money.

David Oyelowo is featured in the opening moments of a film who’s decaffeinated tea bag budget at the craft service table was larger than the budget of the whole film, ” Middle of Nowhere.” He plays Brian the “free” and freeing possibility between and a couple dealing with Littleton’s ( Omari Hardwick) impending release and Ruby’s (Emayatzy Corinealdi) from prison. There are no simple ways to deal with love of a woman who is loyal to those who deserve contempt. Ruby has stopped living her life to help the man who put the joint bars on her life. Mr. Oyelowo is hope, a future, a genuine love interest but to the eyes of a practicing victim Ruby can’t seem to make the obvious choice. Mr. Oyelowo at least gets the nomination if not  the girl.

Matthew McConaughey is an “experienced” stripper with a mind for business and implementing his vision for growth in the exotic dancer world. He is the Tony Robbins of Exotic male dancers and as Dallas plays the road of a man with the plan and no one; not even Channing Tatum‘s star turn as “Magic Mike” can stop him from achieving the achievable. No one matters in Dallas’ world unless they bow and genuflect in his presence. You forget that snake oil salesmen are of the second oldest profession and he’s the 21st century version and he’s the oiled snake selling himself.

My heart says Bruce Willis my head says David Oyelowo.

Spirit Awards: Best Male Lead

I wish the Academy would consider letting the actors be six. Voting scenarios would make any nominated performance a true contender. Here at the Spirit Awards six remarkable performances were nominated and knowing the Film Independent people as I do; they tossed and turned for this category having to pick only one actor.

In dealing with indie film voters they have a financial criteria that makes their eyeballs focus on movies lost in the shuffle of the blockbuster and Oscar machines and this eliminates usually the eventual Best Actor. I’ve also have seen the scenario where the deserved Best Actor wins Saturday and the most lobbied performance wins Sunday.

Here is the beauty of the nominees; most are actors you heard of but they’re nominated the least likely role or a film you have never heard of and you fancy yourself a film fanatic.

Let’s start with the remarkable and deserved nomination of the hardworking Wendell Pierce for “Four” the film presentation of Christopher Shinn‘s play of the same name. If you saw Mr. Pierce on the street and you started to wonder where have I seen him and he offered “The Wire” or “Treme” or “Suits” you’d probably say no and think he was one of your children’s music teachers. He plays a man with the need to fill his void of loneliness like many do with the help of the internet and meets up with a young caucasian for a night out. It’s not easy to try and control the scenery of a blind leap of faith in dealing with personals. Long gone are the letters to the PO Box it’s all about instant gratification or eternal regret. He is the type of actor actors root for and by this reading has probably appeared in ten shows, 2 films and three shorts.

Thure Lindhardt, is the driving force of “Keep the Lights On” because he’s the empathetic character that you root for. As in most lopsided relationships the one who cares is the one who is least cared about with the equivalent of the “worser” half. He carries the picture and you root for him, you hope he runs away, and ultimately you understand why he does what he does because his actions are human which can be overlooked by the judgemental eyes of different points of view.

Matthew McConaughey was figured by many to be nominated for his more acclaimed roles in “Magic Mike” and “Bernie” for the Academy Awards but thank goodness for The Spirit Awards where he was deservedly able to be a double nominee chiefly because the brisk bits of brilliance that showed him at polar opposites of the acting spectrum. Here he is nominated for his centrist yet darker work in “Killer Joe” and he portrays a cop who moonlights as a hitman with all the other mental twists a bored human must create to keep the game of life interesting. He makes the performances of those around him better and he leads a bunch of rag tag kids to do things they never would have considered on his own.

Jack Black can act; he carries comedies and what voters in any voting body forget is acting too and often the most difficult to do. Mr. Black has created an array of methods to draw us in doubled over laughter sometimes just a look, or the way he sings operatically to something as simple as a nursery rhyme but in “Bernie” he captures a man who has a better chance of budding with a plant than making the commitment or duality of sex with either a man or woman. Men of God sometimes take the path to keep their demons at bay and with any luck don’t act on them. Mr. Black plays a real person who liked the fanciest things in a small Texas town and he played along with the wealthy widow Marjorie Nugent played by the acerbic Shirley MacLaine. Mr. Black’s portrayal of the real life Bernie Tiede shows us that even the nicest, loving, generous and God loving can snap and usually well after when you thought he would. He took the challenge of drama and used his expertise in comedy to make it pay off for this well-deserved nomination.

David O. Russell did what no one else has been able to do. He made Bradley Cooper become better known as an actor instead of a movie star. They are two different animals and they always will be and rarely does someone escape the movie star tag and begin a career as an actor so well into his career. He is our modern day Cary Grant and here in “Silver Linings Playbook” he captures the insidious denial of a bi-polar person who refuses to accept his duality. We see him after the inevitable exit stage of his marriage, a physical shell of his former self, a court mandated rehab stay and his belief that despite his delusional reality he can if he follows his plan of Excelsior he can get it all back. He is a native of Pennsylvania and he played the role that will define him for years to come. He was the guy you root for from beginning to end and the person who benefits most from the most unlikely sources of scenarios; dance.

Finally, the work of John Hawkes has gone from consistent to gold standard and more actors wish they had his career trajectory than one like a Tom Cruise or Robert Downey Jr. His roles are gritty and dark and in his portrayal of the most polite and understanding man in an iron lung in “The Sessions” is only going to increase the ever growing legend of his work. He was a presumed shoo-in for the Oscar nomination that wasn’t even questioned. Well, the five that were nominated (and had it been six four other actors would have vied for the sixth pole position) were performances that were well deserved and from an inevitable place of this being the year of the actor he has a tremendous chance of winning his second Spirit Award (The other being the one he earned for “Winter’s Bone” the sharpest, rapier opposite of his portrayal of Mark.) He gives a performance that young actors from here to eternity will use in their showcases and will try to duplicate the genius of Mr. Hawkes for his ability to create so much with so little ability for movement. His voice his eyes and facial expressions are all he’s able to convey compassion for and his truth is one you hope you never have to experience.

My heart says Bradley Cooper and my head says John Hawkes; he can’t be snubbed twice in two days.

The Spirit Awards: Best Screenplay

Here is a category where the players change ever so slightly and deliciously. Mr. Wes Anderson and Mr. Roman Coppola wrote a love story to both youth and nature, “Moonrise Kingdom.” These are forces we all hope to experience without the inevitable forces of those who want to end youthfulness and nature. Brilliant dialoge and love explained by two adorable teens in a slapstick style escape and chase for the better make this a script worth reading.

Mr. David O. Russell adapted  Matthew Quick‘s novel “Silver Linings Playbook” and made it his own. His son, Matthew Russell was featured in the film as the autistic neighborhood kid wanting to capture Mr. Bradley Cooper‘s manic moments via video camera and it was his son’s true journey growing up that ends up blended in the powerful story of this film. You can’t make this stuff up but yet he seems to and the film becomes like a capper comedy.

Mr. Ira Sachs and Mr. Mauricio Zacharias wrote a screenplay and made it a film that sadly just now could be made without fanfare or protestation, “Keep the Lights On.” The power of love combined with the dark side of love and addiction leap off the page and create situations that anyone with a romantic bone in their body can relate to either openly or secretly. We don’t have the capability of seeing relationships after the party or the concert or the gala. That show is a two person play and the characters who are at opposite ends either flame out or with less likely odds fail which doesn’t mean it ends.

Mr.Martin McDonagh was nominated for the film “Seven Psychopaths” a remarkable screenplay about a screenwriter and his accidental entrance to a bunch of seedy Los Angeles criminals listless lives. There is the need for the fictional screenwriter Marty played by Colin Farrell to get back in the swing of things and produce and with the secret plan and life of his buddy Charlie played by Sam Rockwell as his blood thirty muse the story unravels and writes itself and the most unlikely of characters wander in and out of scenes that make the few who ended up seeing this film hungry for the “right” ending. Scenarios aplenty.

Ms. Zoe Kazan also a well deserved nominee who wrote, produced and starred in “Ruby Sparks.” A tortured writer creates the perfect and literal girlfriend only to come to life and change for better or for worse the fate of Calvin Weir-Fields played by the reliable Paul Dano. Another love story that begins perfect on paper and ultimately turns into a literary Frankenstein creation gone mad. The performances made this story stick.

My heart says Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola and my head says David O. Russell.