Black Swan is a different movie about Nina, a ballet dancer, and her decent into madness because of the stress of her role in a production of Swan Lake. First, this movie was advertised as a horror movie, and I think that deterred a lot of people from seeing it. I want to clear the air and tell those people that are wary: it is not a horror movie. Yes, there is suspense, and it has graphic scenes, but it does not fit into the typical 'horror' stigma. The film is beautifully acted by the main characters. Natalie Portman does a great job with the vulnerability of Nina. What I think makes her part so awesome is that she is totally unassuming and even becomes scared of her own mind and actions. Mila Kunis also has a fantastic turn as the sultry Lily. Who ever knew she could really act? It sure surprised me. But she is wonderful in this movie, and she definitely got snubbed on the Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress. In my opinion, she should have at least been nominated. Another notable character who hasn't gotten any recognition is Barbara Hershey as Nina's mom. There is something off about her the entire movie that keeps you guessing at her motives, and also if her mind is really all there. I think that Nina's mom creates a whole other side to the story that isn't really explored in the film. The dynamic between the two of them is strange and intense, and it definitely added mystery and interest to the movie.
The way the movie was done was also really great. First of all, the psychological elements were awesome. I loved that you could never tell what was real and what wasn't, and that made it feel like you were losing your mind too. Like we were right there with Nina. This was also really helped by the visual effects. I thought they were done very tastefully and really added to the movie's message. I will forever have Natalie Portman's legs breaking backwards when she is having her biggest episode etched into my mind. And also during the performance as the black swan, you could see her skin crawling with the evil until finally it manifests itself into beautiful wings. Also, one thing I really liked was the ending. It wasn't just a general ending with falling action after the climax. The ending left you just as exhilarated as the rest of the movie and you left with adrenaline still pumping. I can't actually think of any other movies that do this. This movie is just another great one this year.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
127 Hours
First of all, let me say that I have been waiting for this movie since it came out in November. But living in Bloomington, it never came here until now. It was well worth the wait. I absolutely loved it. The movie is about a hiker, Aron Rolston, getting stuck under a rock in a canyon in the middle-of-nowhere, Utah. Since it is a true story, you know what happens, and that actually adds to the suspense. The entire first part of the movie, every time he stepped on something, I thought he was going to fall, and also, once he was down there, I kept anticipating the amputation scene. James Franco does a fantastic job as Aron. He did a great job of being likable and perfectly portrayed his struggle to keep hope and survive. The film does a great job of making you feel like you are right there with him. Usually I don't like movies with a lot of close ups, but for this, it really works. This is especially true for the amputation scene. The whole thing is very visceral, and you feel like it is actually happening to you.
Because of this movie, I am now officially a Danny Boyle fan. He did an absolutely fantastic job with the writing as well as the directing. The film was beautiful, and there were some very interesting split screens that were done very well, and I think they added to the movie. They were very symbolic of how fragmented Aron's thoughts were becoming. Another thing I like about this movie is that it's not just a movie about him freaking out and then all of a sudden he gets free. I know it's a true story, so that has a lot to do with how the situation was actually handled. But this movie was not like that. It just really showed the true potential of the human will to survive. All in all, the movie was exhausting and exhilarating to watch. I was completely captivated the whole time, and I would watch it again and again. It is my new favorite movie of the year. I cried, it was heartwarming, and I suggest that everyone see it. Unfortunately Danny Boyle did not get an Oscar nomination, but otherwise, it is very well represented in the nominations. I don't think it will win any of the big categories, but I wouldn't completely write it off. Any win will be well-deserved. Go. See. It.
Because of this movie, I am now officially a Danny Boyle fan. He did an absolutely fantastic job with the writing as well as the directing. The film was beautiful, and there were some very interesting split screens that were done very well, and I think they added to the movie. They were very symbolic of how fragmented Aron's thoughts were becoming. Another thing I like about this movie is that it's not just a movie about him freaking out and then all of a sudden he gets free. I know it's a true story, so that has a lot to do with how the situation was actually handled. But this movie was not like that. It just really showed the true potential of the human will to survive. All in all, the movie was exhausting and exhilarating to watch. I was completely captivated the whole time, and I would watch it again and again. It is my new favorite movie of the year. I cried, it was heartwarming, and I suggest that everyone see it. Unfortunately Danny Boyle did not get an Oscar nomination, but otherwise, it is very well represented in the nominations. I don't think it will win any of the big categories, but I wouldn't completely write it off. Any win will be well-deserved. Go. See. It.
And the Nominees are...
So, it's the best time of year: Oscar season. This year has been a great year for movies. It's nice because the past few Oscars haven't been as exciting because the movies haven't really been that great. This is has made it exciting again. The nominations were announced this past Tuesday. There weren't very many surprises, and everyone who was nominated was deserving, for the most part.
Here is just a quick list of the movies that are nominated. My predictions are bigger. What are your predictions?
Best Actor
Here is just a quick list of the movies that are nominated. My predictions are bigger. What are your predictions?
Best Actor
- Javier Bardem- Biutiful
- Jeff Bridges- True Grit
- Jesse Eisenberg- The Social Network
- Colin Firth- The King's Speech
- James Franco- 127 Hours
Best Supporting Actor
- Christian Bale- The Fighter
- John Hawkes- Winter's Bone
- Jeremy Renner- The Town
- Mark Ruffalo- The Kids Are All Right
- Geoffrey Rush- The King's Speech
Best Actress
- Annette Bening- The Kids Are All Right
- Nicole Kidman- Rabbit Hole
- Jennifer Lawrence- Winter's Bone
- Natalie Portman- Black Swan
- Michelle Williams- Blue Valentine
Best Supporting Actress
- Amy Adams- The Fighter
- Helena Bonham Carter- The King's Speech
- Melissa Leo- The Fighter
- Hailee Steinfeld- True Grit
- Jacki Weaver- Animal Kingdom
Animated Feature Film
- How to Train Your Dragon
- The Illusionist
- Toy Story 3
Art Direction
- Alice in Wonderland
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
- Inception
- The King's Speech
- True Grit
Cinematography
- Black Swan
- Inception
- The King's Speech
- The Social Network
- True Grit
Costume Design
- Alice in Wonderland
- I am Love
- The King's Speech
- The Tempest
- True Grit
Best Director
- Darren Aronofsky- Black Swan
- David O. Russell- The Fighter
- Tom Hooper- The King's Speech
- David Fincher- The Social Network
- True Grit- The Coen Brothers
Film Editing
- Black Swan
- The Fighter
- The King's Speech
- 127 Hours
- The Social Network
Foreign Language Film
- Biutiful
- Dogtooth
- In a Better World
- Outside the Law
- Incendies
Makeup
- Barney's Version
- The Way Back
- Wolfman
Music (Score)
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Inception
- The King's Speech
- 127 Hours
- The Social Network
Music (Song)
- "Coming Home" from Country Strong
- " I See the Light" from Tangled
- "If I Rise" from 127 Hours
- "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3
Best Picture
- Black Swan
- The Fighter
- Inception
- The Kids Are All Right
- The King's Speech
- 127 Hours
- The Social Network
- Toy Story 3
- True Grit
- Winter's Bone
Visual Effects
- Alice in Wonderland
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
- Hereafter
- Inception
- Iron Man 2
Adapted Screenplay
- Winter's Bone
- Toy Story 3
- True Grit
- 127 Hours
- The Social Network
Original Screenplay
- Another Year
- The Fighter
- Inception
- The Kids Are All Right
- The King's Speech
Friday, January 28, 2011
Okayy so here's the idea...
I've thought about doing this for a while, but just never really got the motivation to do it. Now all my friends are doing it, so I thought I'd try. Anyways, I love to talk about movies, and now I'm going to do it publicly. The idea is that I want to write reviews about movies I've seen, and I want to know what you guys think about the movies too, if you've seen them. I want to make it a goal to go through and watch all of the Best Picture winners going all the way back to 1970. I'll also sprinkle other movies that I see and some more personal posts in there. I hope this will be good and enlightening, and I hope it inspires you to watch more movies!
Tonight I'm going to see 127 Hours. I'm extremely excited because I've been waiting to see it for a really long time. (It originally came out in November). So, my first one will be about that movie.
Lauren
Tonight I'm going to see 127 Hours. I'm extremely excited because I've been waiting to see it for a really long time. (It originally came out in November). So, my first one will be about that movie.
Lauren
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