Jaynormous Mind: Ethan Hawke

Showing posts with label Ethan Hawke. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Top 10 Supporting Actors of 2014

Not my favorite category this year but it has a couple of performances that I really love.

JK Simmons as Terence Fletcher

Whiplash

He's going to win the Oscar and it's very deserved. So intense, deceptively fun and thoroughly entertaining. We'll never refer to JK Simmons as Spiderman's boss ever again.

2
Edward Norton as Mike Shiner
Birdman

Thank God for his role in Birdman because we've never seen such a complex character Norton played ever since Fightclub. The level of douchebaggery of his character made room for Norton to address the rumors about him being hard to work with and I think it paid off. Mike Shiner is my favorite character in the film.

3
Ethan Hawke as Mason Evans Sr.
Boyhood

Sometimes I wonder if Ethan Hawke just played himself as the father of Mason Jr. Because he acted so naturally with so much charisma that you can't help but wish you have the same father as jolly as him despite his imperfections. Either way, it's a performance that's very likable that there's no way you'd put him out of this year's suppporting actors list.

4
Stellan Skarsgård as Seligman
Nymphomaniac

If only Nymphomaniac is a bit friendlier to the masses, Skarsgård will definitely be commended. His role as Seligman in Nymphomaniac is so subtle yet shocking and creepy.

5
Willem Dafoe as J.G. Jopling
The Grand Budapest Hotel

In a film with a huge ensemble and has lots of small roles, Willem Dafoe stands out as this bulldoggish character that is comically endearing in an ironic way. I love Willem Dafoe in this.

6
Josh Brolin as Det. Christian F. "Bigfoot" Bjornsen
Inherent Vice

It is appreciated when a serious actor like Josh Brolin acts in a silly way like Bigfoot in Inherent Vice. The film is definitely not for me but Brolin is one of the bright spots of this bleak and funny film and I would probably have not finished it if not for him.

7
Robert Duvall as Judge Joseph Palmer
The Judge

Robert Duvall, who is known for portraying bad ass, serious and grumpy characters actually made me a little teary eyed in this film. He's got some Vilma Santos in Anak skills.

8
Ben Schnetzer as Mark Ashton
Pride

In a sea of supporting male actors in this film, Ben Schnetzer definitely stood out. Of course he's got one of the flashiest role, but he disappeared in it. When I found out that he's the one who played Max in The Book Thief, I was shocked. He's a chameleon.

9
Mark Ruffalo as Dave Schultz
Foxcatcher

This is perhaps Ruffalo's second best performance to date, his first in The Normal Heart. Who knew Ruffalo got some depth? Here in Foxcatcher, he's so subtle and calm, no big scenes but he's so good nevertheless.

10
Logan Lerman as Pvt. Norman "Machine" Ellison
Fury

I don't think the role suited Logan Lerman in Fury, but his effort was highly appreciated. He showed some of his range and you just know that he's one of the actors to watch out in the future. He reminds me of a less intense young Christian Bale.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Boyhood

Director: Richard Linklater
With: Ellar Cortrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater

As we all probably know by now, Richard Linklater directed yet another film that transcends the possibilities of filmmaking through Boyhood which is 12 freakin' years in the making. So impressive considering that he had projects in between and just when I thought his Before trilogy is already amazing because of how he played with time, here goes Boyhood.

Boyhood follows the life of 6-year old Mason (Ellar Cortrane) as he grows to be 18. Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke play his parents and Linklater's own daughter, Lorelei, plays Sam as Mason's older sister. Twelve years with the same cast is already impressive, but the result of the whole film is even better. As you watch the film, the gimmick somehow didn't even matter that much. Linklater smartly chose to feature the ordinary days in the lives of this family instead of squeezing out the 12-year stunt by inserting jaw-dropping stories and in the end, it's much more rewarding emotionally because he made it impossible not to relate with them.

Okay, there is 100% chance that I wouldn't be able to articulate all the reasons why I love this film or let alone explain how beautiful Boyhood is. I don't even know where to begin. I'm afraid my thoughts won't give justice to how amazing this film experience is and how much it moved me. I feel like Boyhood is a film for everyone who grew up so basically, almost everyone. LMFAO. I mean let's start with the easy and fun one, the film is nostalgia fever with all the pop references that it used -- from Dragon Ball, to Harry Potter, to Twilight, to iPods, to Lady Gaga, Aaliyah and Britney Spears. To its soundtrack that includes Coldplay, Phoenix, Foster the People, Gotye, The Flaming Lips and Family of the Year. It's our generation and it's so easy to be familiar with it. It's like a trip down to memory lane and that it's something that will truly force you to reflect and look back at your own life as you watch Mason move forward to his. And somehow, as much as this film is about Mason growing up, it also explained grownups so well through his parents.

Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke are so good in this that it would also be acceptable if they changed the title of the film to Parenthood because they're as much as stars of the film as the breakthrough star Ellar Cortrane. Both characters are far from being perfect parents but there's something about them that's very admirable. Especially Patricia Arquette's character who walked on a parade of jerks. Her scene in the end where Mason was about to move out of her apartment was extremely affecting as she's always been tough and so when she broke down and looked back to the life that she had, it's insurmountably touching. Ethan Hawke on the other hand portrayed a picture of an ideal father, at least for me. Well, he's not the most responsible father there is but his love for his children and how he communicated with them is held in great respect. Ellar Cortrane is amazing as Mason. I don't think the film would work this much if weren't for his phenomenal transformation characteristically and physically. The young Mason to me felt like my nephew (and I love my nephew so much), so when Mason grew up and experienced the ups and downs of life, I can't help but feel proud or feel sad or feel whatever according to what's happening in his life.

I've been anticipating this film for months and watching it finally with my nephew was such a prize. He wasn't able to finish the whole film though. But I've always wanted him to see this because whenever I tell him to watch the trailers and other Boyhood clips, he kept on asking me about growing up and how did Mason grow up, and how they filmed the film. It's a healthy discussion and I would love if we got to watch the whole film together because I enjoy answering his questions too. Even though it annoys me sometimes when he keeps on asking questions in almost every scene. LOL. I wanted him to see it because I thought it would be awesome for any child to see a glimpse of how people transform, or how they would change eventually through the years because of the experiences they go through. Basically the same thing why I was eager to see it except I've already gone through it but wouldn't it be awesome to watch someone literally grow up before your eyes? Mason and I didn't have similar experiences but growing up through obstacles with family, friends and oneself is something everyone would relate with. And the film made it even more possible by featuring scenes that are not necessarily groundbreaking. But instead it featured the normal living of the characters, from Mason to his sister, to his parents, to every other people that he encountered in his boyhood. That's why it's much easier to be invested in it that despite these normal day-to-day living scenes, I was glued to it. I didn't even notice the time because it's such an interesting and relatable story that I wouldn't mind seeing another three hours of it.

Who knows? Richard Linklater and Ellar Coltrane are probably filming right now for a sequel to this film which will be called 'Adulthood' or 'Manhood'. If it turns out to be true, then I'd be ecstatic but if it's not, Boyhood alone can stand on its own and I'm pretty sure this movie will also stand the test of time. Yarara

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Top 10 LEAD ACTORS of 2013

10. Ethan Hawke as Jesse Wallace - Before Midnight

It seems like Ethan Hawke has matured in terms of acting just like how Jesse Wallace matured in Before Midnight. From Before Sunrise to Before Midnight, we witnessed the changes in his characters but it's in the third installment Hawke shined the most. I always find Julie Delpy a little ahead of him in terms of stealing the scenes but in Midnight, they're pretty much head to head. Ethan Hawke in the hotel scene was amazing. Delpy could easily steal that scene because of her boobs flashing in the camera for some time but Ethan Hawke managed to do his own thing and it was fantastic.

9. Bruce Dern as Woody Grant - Nebraska

Bruce Dern didn't do much talking in Nebraska but his facial expressions are the real reason why he's no. 9 in my Lead Actors ranking (with a straight face). He depicted the frustration, agitation and many other emotions of Woody Grant so perfectly well and we understand him more because of it. That's hard to achieve but Dern, probably with the help of his age, portrayed Woody Grant flawlessly.

8. Hugh Jackman as Keller Dover - Prisoners

Yes, he can be too much most of the time in Prisoners but no kidding, he put me on the edge of my seat and made my heart beat fast for his aggressive take of a desperate father looking for his lost daughter. I often use intense in sentences but Hugh Jackman is the real epitome of INTENSE. He's also one of the actors that surpassed their performance from their previous Acadamy nominated one.

7. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup - 12 Years a Slave

Solomon Northup was a free man who was kidnapped by traders and was enslaved for 12 years. Based on what I saw in 12YAS, I think Ejiofor took note of that when he was acting as him. His performance reeks of intelligence, control and power. His close up shots showing his teary eyes and frowned face depicts the hard life as a slave. Ejifor stayed true to his character throughout the film. For the most part reserved but it's by the end when he showed what a great actor he is.

6. Oscar Isaac as Llewyn Davis - Inside Llewyn Davis

His performance as Llewyn Davis reminds me of Natalie Portman in Black Swan where their acting talent is incorporated with another skill. Isaac is to singing and Portman is to dancing. What's impressive is that their skill is above average, in fact, really superb. Oscar Isaac proved to be a lead actor and I think we'll be seeing more of him in the future.

5. Michael Cera as Jamie - Crystal Fairy

In a film where the plot is kind of slight, Michael Cera managed to show lots of layers in his performance. From being extremely annoying to being lovable. He showed one of the most natural acting I've seen in 2013 films and I think his performance was overlooked by many because he's Michael Cera. I wish he'd accept more realistic films because he excels in them.

4. Daniel Brühl as Niki Lauda - Rush

It's really unfortunate that he was labeled as a Supporting Actor in Rush when he's easily one of the main focus of the film and he's a competent lead for that matter. Daniel Brühl showed that he can be a method actor by mimicking not only the accent of the real Niki Lauda, but also his mannerisms. He also made an unlikable character likable and only few actors can do that. We need to see more of him in the future because he's a legit talent.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort - The Wolf of Wall Street

I rarely find him effective in portraying serious roles because he's not good at being natural and when he does, it's only in some parts of his overall performance. But in The Wolf of Wall Street, I think everything that he did was apt to his character and to Scorsese's vision of the character and the film. He's extraordinary in Wolf and a big good luck to him for the Oscars.

2. Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips - Captain Phillips

We all know how good Tom Hanks as an actor based on his filmography but it's been so long that we've seen him in a role where his amazing acting chops were showcased well. Thanks to Captain Phillips! In the film, he gave an out of this world performance. The last 30 minutes of the film, we see Tom Hanks in his prime. It's hard to tell because he's shown a lot of great acting in the past but his performance in Captain Phillips is up there as one of his bests.

1. Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof - Dallas Buyers Club

After being snubbed the past few years, at last he's being recognized and in a really huge way. We are living in the Age of McConnaisance as they say and it continues this year with raving reviews about True Detective and the upcoming Nolan film, Interstellar and Gus Van Sant's Sea of Trees. Anyway, I was floored by his performance in Dallas Buyers Club. Even without pointing out his weight loss, his transformation is tremendous as an AIDS patient (and smuggler), Ron Woodroof. The scene where he's driving while crying because he has finally come to terms about his dying condition was insanely good and easily my favorite part of the film. McConaughey and Leto's extraordinary performances carried what could have been an ordinary film. From being a romcom heartthrob, apparently he's gone a long way. He's now known as one of the best actors of his generation.

Other Rankings:

Top 5 Original Scores of 2013

Top 10 Cinematography of 2013

Top 5 Original & Adapted Screenplays of 2013

Top 10 Supporting Actors of 2013

Top 10 Supporting Actress of 2013
Top 10 Lead Actresses of 2013