90th Academy Awards Winner Predictions

Best Picture: Three Billboards Outsing Ebbing, Missouri

Best Director: Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water

Best Actress: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Actor: Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Best Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, Lady Bird

Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Original Screenplay: Get Out

Best Adapted Screenplay: Call Me By Your Name

Best Animated Feature: Coco

Best Foreign Language Film: The Insult (Lebanon)

Best Documentary: Faces Places

Best Film Editing: Dunkirk

Best Cinematography: Blade Runner 2049

Best Original Score: Phantom Thread

Best Original Song: ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman

Best Sound Editing: Baby Driver

Best Sound Mixing: Blade Runner 2049

Best Visual Effects: Blade Runner 2049

Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread

Best Makeup & Hairstyling: Darkest Hour

Best Production Design: The Shape of Water

My Ballot for the 90th Academy Awards

Best Picture: Lady Bird

Best Director: Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird

Best Actress: Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name

Best Supporting Actress: Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Best Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Original Screenplay: Lady Bird

Best Adapted Screenplay: Call Me By Your Name

Best Animated Feature: Coco

Best Foreign Language Film: On Body and Soul (Hungary)

Best Documentary: Faces Places

Best Film Editing: Dunkirk

Best Cinematography: Dunkirk

Best Original Score: Phantom Thread

Best Original Song: "Mystery of Love" from Call Me By Your Name

Best Sound Editing: Baby Driver

Best Sound Mixing: Blade Runner 2049

Best Visual Effects: Blade Runner 2049

Best Costume Design: Phantom Thread

Best Makeup & Hairstyling: Darkest Hour

Best Production Design: The Shape of Water

87th Academy Award Nominations Predictions

Golden Globe Awards have wrapped up, the Guilds, BAFTA, Critics and other guilds have announced their nominees, but the most important of all, Oscars will be announcing under 48 hours from now.

Here are my predictions:

Best Picture:
1. "Boyhood"
2. "Birdman"
3. "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
4. "The Imitation Game"
5. "Selma"
6. "The Theory of Everything"
7. "Whiplash"
8. "Nightcrawler"
9. "American Sniper"
10. "Gone Girl"

ALTERNATES:
11. "Foxcatcher"
12. "Mr. Turner"

Best Director:
1. Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
2. Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman"
3. Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
4. Damien Chazelle, "Whiplash"
5. David Fincher, "Gone Girl"

ALTERNATES:
6. Morten Tyldum, "The Imitation Game"
7. Ava DuVernay, "Selma"

Best Actress:
1. Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
2. Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
3. Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"
4. Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"
5. Jennifer Aniston, "Cake"

ALTERNATES:
6. Amy Adams, "Big Eyes"
7. Marion Cotillard, "Two Days One Night"

Best Actor:
1. Michael Keaton, "Birdman"
2. Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"
3. Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
4. Jake Gyllenhaal, "Nightcrawler"
5. Ralph Fiennes, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

ALTERNATES: 
6. Timothy Spall, "Mr. Turner"
7. David Oyelowo, "Selma"

Best Supporting Actress:
1. Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"
2. Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"
3. Meryl Streep, "Into The Woods"
4. Rene Russo, "Nightcrawler"
5. Emma Stone, "Birdman"

ALTERNATES: 
6. Jessica Chastain, "A Most Violent Year"
7. Tilda Swinton, "Snowpiercer"

Best Supporting Actor:
1. J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"
2. Edward Norton, "Birdman"
3. Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"
4. Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"
5. Robert Duvall, "The Judge"

Best Original Screenplay:
1. Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"
2. Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
3. Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr, Armando Bo, "Birdman"
4. Dan Gilroy, "Nightcrawler"
5. Paul Webb, "Selma"

Best Adapted Screenplay:
1. Gillian Flynn, "Gone Girl"
2. Graham Moore, "The Imitation Game"
3. Damien Chazelle, "Whiplash"
4. Anthony McCarten, "The Theory of Everything"
5. Jason Hall, "American Sniper"

Best Foreign Language Film:
2. "Force Majeure" (Sweden)
1. "Ida" (Poland)
3. "Leviathan" (Russia)
4. "Tangerines" (Estonia)
5. "Wild Tales" (Argentina)

Best Documentary Feature:
1. "CITIZENFOUR"
2. "Life Itself"
3. "The Case Against 8"
4. "Keep On Keepin' On"
5. "Tales of the Grim Sleeper"

Best Animated Feature:
1. "The LEGO Movie"
2. "How To Train Your Dragon 2"
3. "Big Hero 6"
4. "The Boxtrolls"
5. "The Book of Life"

Best Cinematography:
1. Emmanuel Lubezki, "Birdman"
2. Robert D. Yeoman, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
3. Hoyte Van Hoytema, "Interstellar"
4. Dick Pope, "Mr. Turner"
5. Ryszard Lenczewski and Łukasz Żal, "Ida"

Best Film Editing:
1. Douglas Crise, "Birdman"
2. Sandra Adair, "Boyhood"
3. Tom Cross, "Whiplash"
4. Joel Cox & Gary Roach, "American Sniper"
5. Barney Pilling, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Best Production Design:
1. Adam Stockhausen & Anna Pinnock, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
2. Kevin Thompson & George DeTitta Jr., "Birdman"
3. Dennis Gassner & Anna Pinnock, "Into The Woods"
4. Nathan Crowley, Garry Fettis & Paul Healy, "Interstellar"
5. Ondrej Nekvasil, "Snowpiercer"

Best Costume Design:
1. Milena Canonero, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
2. Sammy Sheldon Differ, "The Imitation Game"
3. Colleen Atwood, "Into The Woods"
4. Steven Noble, "The Theory of Everything"
5. Jacqueline Durran, "Mr. Turner"

Best Original Score:
1. Johann Johannsson, "The Theory of Everything"
2. Alexandre Desplat, "The Imitation Game"
3. Alexandre Desplat, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
4. Hans Zimmer, "Interstellar"
5. Mica Levi, "Under the Skin"

Best Original Song:
1. "Glory" ("Selma")
2. "Lost Stars" ("Begin Again")
3. "Mercy Is" ("Noah")
4. "Big Eyes" ("Big Eyes")
5. "Split The Difference" ("Boyhood")

Best Sound Mixing:
1. "Into The Woods"
2. "Birdman"
3. "Whiplash"
4. "American Sniper"
5. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies"

Best Sound Editing:
1. "Godzilla"
2. "American Sniper"
3. "Fury"
4. "Interstellar"
5. "Unbroken"

Best Visual Effects:
1. "Guardians of the Galaxy"
2. "Godzilla"
3. "Interstellar"
4. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"
5. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies"

Best Makeup & Hairstyling:
1. "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
2. "Guardians of the Galaxy"
3. "Foxcatcher"

TALLY:

Birdman - 10

The Grand Budapest Hotel - 10

Boyhood - 7

The Imitation Game - 7

The Theory of Everything - 6

Whiplash - 6

American Sniper - 5

Gone Girl - 4

Nightcrawler - 4

Selma - 3

Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan (Norte, the End of History)

Director: Lav Diaz

With: Sid Lucero, Angeli Bayani, Archie Alemania, Juana Change, Hazel Orencio, Soliman Cruz, Angelina Kanapi

How can I miss Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan when this film is more likely to be the Philippines' submission for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars? First, it screened in Cannes, and then it got UK and US distributors, it won Best Picture in Gawad Urian and it won other several awards in many film festivals. Plus, the raving reviews and hype everywhere. It's got the blessing of so many critics and these are good enough reasons to be our country's ace at the Oscars.

The catch is it runs for 4 freaking hours. O_O

Four hours. Not many people have that time for a single film. It's scary. With my age, it's not wise to spend four hours in a movie especially if there's a chance that it would be torture. It's also longer than Manila to Singapore travel time. That kept bugging me upon deciding if I should watch this so-called masterpiece by many. But it was a Friday night after a long day at work and I've got four hours to kill before fully embracing the weekend. I told myself to just relax and enjoy it. Besides, I've never experienced watching a 4-hour film in a cinema before, so I looked at this as a new experience. No pressure. If I didn't like it, then I'll just leave the movie house in the middle of the film. It was an option but when I watched it, I never even thought about it. Norte is compelling.

Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan tells the lives of three characters -- Fabian (Sid Lucero) who is a law school dropout, Eliza (Angeli Bayani) and Joaquin (Archie Alemania), a couple living in the brink of poverty. When Fabian killed Eliza's creditor Magda, Joaquin takes the blame and receives a life sentence leaving Eliza and their two children behind. Lav Diaz explores so many themes like religion, philosophy, government, politics, war, etc mixing these with this coercive story and it creates for a depressing film beyond belief.

At first, I thought it would be a little pretentious because, in the beginning, Fabian's character has these numerous substantial and deep conversations with his friends and ex-professors from law school. But then I remembered, I've encountered some people who actually talk about these serious matters with their straight faces. They exist, and I've come to terms with it. Especially in the end, it didn't matter much anyway. The devastating story triumphs these themes and it's what matters to me and it's the reason why I liked the film. The aftermath of Fabian's crime that put the three leads to the edge of their beings is what kept me on watching the film. It's as if I'm a masochist who lives to keep on finding out what heartbreaking scene will occur next.

Sid Lucero as Fabian Viduya
photo from www.filmcomment.com

These themes and storylines wouldn't be as effective if not for the top-notch acting of the ensemble, wherein each of them are champions to me because of how unbelievably tremendous they are in this film. I just can imagine Diaz pushing these actors to the end of their limits with all the emotions they had to induce and all the long scenes without cuts that they had to endure. It's unbelievable. Sid Lucero is intense as Fabian who's trying to escape the demon in him where his conscience, knowledge and goodness battle within him which evokes all the shattering actions that he makes after he committed the crime. His outlandish commitment to his character, I bet took its toll on him while they're filming is. It's a character that required so much from him but he depicted it so well. Angeli Bayani as Eliza is like the opposite of Lucero yet she's nothing short of magnificence. This is the first film I've watched from Bayani. I wasn't able to watch Ilo Ilo and Bwaya, but now I want to see them because her acting gave me life throughout the film. Her authenticity made the film so much more powerful as she has the ability to elicit emotions just through her facial expressions. She didn't have much dialogue but she demanded the grief and loneliness to be felt like her look alone pierces beyond the power of words. Archie Alemania as Joaquin is the best I've seen him after so many years of absence in films. This is a great comeback that will surely open new doors for him. He's going to excel in indie films I suppose. The subtlety in his performance is so wondrous especially I've known him as a comedian but here, he showed no ounce of comedy. The supporting characters such as Juana Change, Soliman Cruz, Hazel Orencio and Angelina Kanapi also deserve praiseworthy mentions as they each provided distinctiveness and depth to their respective roles. Personal favorite is Kanapi's Hoda Viduya, Fabian's mentally challenged sister. This film is indeed a glorious instrument for actors. Amazing.

I guess by now it would be cliche to say that it didn't feel like I've watched four hours of depressing stuff because, for one, it DID feel like I've watched hours of depressing stuff. It's undeniably slow but I commend Diaz for sticking to his guns and pushing his vision. That's what film making is about. But I wouldn't call it a masterpiece like what most people ought it to be. Thank goodness for the acting because it made the film so much more raw but there are some aspects of it that are sloppy -- those pesky fake tattoos, fake call, flaws in subtitles (or probably minor hiccups in the script). I wish I didn't notice those but I did and these small details bug me even though overall, the film is acceptable even with these mistakes.

With all these wrongs and rights, Norte is a film that I can sincerely label as a journey or an experience. It's a film that exudes emotions and thoughts in every frame. It's a film that shows the good and dark sides of humanity. A film that showcased the beauty of a simple life. It's also a film that took risks that there's no way it's plain. It's a film that boasts the strength of artists. Therefore, it's a film that needs to be watched by many. It's not for everyone, but as I've mentioned above, it's worth the four hours.

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

List of To-Watch Films for Post Oscar blues

That Maya feeling after Usama Bin Laden was finally captured and killed in Zero Dark Thirty. That's what I feel about the end of this Oscars season. LOLJK but it's close ;_; and now that we're starting over again for 2014 films, most of the films to look forward to are not going to be released anytime soon.

So for now, I made a to-see list of films from the past years while waiting for the next awards season. This list is heavily influenced by the things I've learned, read, heard and everything from the recently wrapped up 86th Acadamy Awards. Here they are:

What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

I've read a lot of articles and comments about this film since the beginning of Leo's buzz for Wolf. This film garnered him his first Oscar nomination and some even say that his performance in this is his best ever and worthy of a win. I'll never know how true is that but if it is indeed a robbed performance then poor Leo. When will he win an Oscar? Oh well, if it happens in the near future (or in the far future), I just know that it'll be sweeter for him, and for his loyal fans as well.

Capote

I know! I know! It's such a shame that I haven't seen this yet. Truth is, I never bothered reading anything about Capote before because... :/ I didn't care. I had no intentions of seeing this even if I know that it's critically acclaimed. I was never highly impressed by anything I've seen from him anyway. Thought he's just okay. But after seeing Phillip Seymour Hoffman's name for his performance in this in many best performance lists, it made me curious.  So I searched this on Youtube and WOW! He's AMAZING!!! Also, he just recently passed away so I consider this a viewing tribute for him.:3

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

This film has been in my hard drive for several years now but I keep on ignoring it because it looks too serious. The title piques my curiosity though. Is it about Virginia Woolf or what? So after seeing August: Osage County, which is also based on a play like Woolf, I realized that I might enjoy this like how I enjoyed August. The fact that Woolf has better reviews and has a great legacy makes me think more positive about the film.

Happy-Go-Lucky

I've read this years ago in forums and even planned of watching it but completely forgotten about it because I guess it's not that memorable. Sally Hawkins recent awards recognitions just reminded me again that I should see it. Unlike many, I find Hawkins' performance in Blue Jasmine as just okay so I hope Happy-Go-Lucky will change my opinion of her and I'm sort of positive it will especially she's the lead in it.

Manhattan

Woody Allen is the latest recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award in Golden Globes and during that segment, they showed a montage of Woody Allen films. Manhattan quickly captured my attention. The fact that Meryl Streep is in this is just a bonus. Meryl + Woody = what more could I ask for? I have all the reasons to watch this and the fact that I haven't yet, I will never understand.

Groundhog Day

This film is dubbed as one of the best comedies of all time, and one of the best films of 1993. And that says a lot because 1993 brought us films like Schindler's List, Philadelphia and Jurassic Park, to name a few. It's also directed by Harold Ramis who just recently perished, someone I didn't know before he died. :( But anyway, the premise sounds interesting and the lead is Bill Murray, one of my favorite actors so it just makes sense for me to see this film.

Citizen Ruth

I realized that I've seen all Alexander Payne's films except for this. And when I researched for this, it looks like it's light and fun that it wouldn't be a chore to sit down through this film. I say, why not?

Skyfall

I actually should have seen this last year since it's nominated in 2 or more Oscar categories. But I haven't seen any James Bond film yet so I was kind of hesitant. A year has passed and I'm still procrastibating. This year, hopefully I'll be able to watch it since a friend also recommended me to see it. His reason? cinematographer Roger Deakins who's nominated for this film and for Prisoners as well.

Grave of the Fireflies

I become interested in seeing Japanese animated films because of The Wind Rises and aside from it, I heard LOTS of good things about them. I haven't seen Wind yet but I watched its 5 minute-trailer. It made me search for other Japanese animated film trailers and from watching clips and reading viewers' comments, one of the most popular suggestion is this, Grave of the Fireflies. This seems deep, and not in the usual Pixar animated films deep, but 'seriously deep' and that got me curious because it's an animated film and I think it's hard to achieve that quality through animation. We'll see.

Cape Fear

Juliette Lewis impressed me in August: Osage County but I gotta admit that I've never heard of her before :/, the fact that she's been nominated when she was younger made me want to see that performance and voila! it's Cape Fear directed by Scorsese. If I watch this, I realized that I'll gain more insights about Scorsese's filmography and that would be a treat as I find almost all of his films with great quality. It also has Jessica Lange who I've never seen in a film before.

Tootsie

Speaking of Jessica Lange, I'm not an avid viewer of American Horror Story but I trust the TV series fans when they say that she's one of the best actress there is. I've seen a number of episodes of it and she's really good. I even read an article saying that she's the counter actress to Meryl Streep. :/ This film gave Lange her first ever Oscar so that urged me to see it. Then, I also saw Chile's Oscar submission Gloria and I read some articles that indicate Gloria's eyeglasses being reminiscent of Tootsie's. Made me curious so I'll watch this.

I'm Not There

Bob Dylan, Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale. I've read about this before and watched its trailer even but I didn't plan on watching it. It didn't have enough rave for me to see it but one time, I was bored after reading Oscar related articles that I happen upon some clips I've never seen before of I'm Not There. It looked way interesting than its trailer. Perhaps, this is the time to see it since Cate Blanchett was also praised for her work in this. I mean, she acted as Bob Dylan for cryin out loud. I want to compare which Blanchett performance is the best so this is a must-see.

Children of Men

I've already watched this before. In fact, I'm midway through finishing the film but I fell asleep. I find it interesting but I was just so tired when I watched it so I think this year, alongside celebrating Cuaron's Gravity success, it's about time I finish his other critically acclaimed film. Oh, and it's quite a fun fact that Chiwetel is in this. ;)

Junebug

Like Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Adams has been nominated several times but has never won. She seems like she's stuck being a runner up and some people even say that she's cemented in 5th place lol. She's becoming the new Julianne Moore. No worries though because she's the lead in the upcoming Oscar baity film of Tim Burton, Big Eyes. I don't wanna jinx it so let's just hope that it will not end up being a flop since.. you know, Tim Burton.. lately. But anyway, a lot of people say that her first Oscar nomination which is for this film is the only deserving one, even deserving of a win they say. I've seen all of her Academy Award performances except for Junebug so maybe 2014 is the year for me to see this.

Spanking the Monkey

I don't know which of the first three feature films of David O. Russell should I watch first. Spanking the Monkey? Flirting with Disaster? or Three Kings? I've never heard of these films before DOR became one of the most known directors of our generation so I just randomly chose Spanking the Monkey. As some people know, I'm not the biggest O. Russell fan. My love for JLaw decreased because of him. The fact that he was nominated for Best Director three times in four years and managed to get all of his actors nominated in the 4 acting categories for 2 consecutive years, I don't know. It's unbelievable and undeserved. But since American Hustle painfully lost all its 10 nominations after having the most nomination count in the last Oscars, and Lupita beat JLaw, and Spike Jonze beat O Russell, everything is now forgiven. :3 I don't hate him anymore. In fact, I gotta admit that I really like The Fighter but I really dislike Huckabees and SLP & Hustle are just okay films for me. So there.. cheers to new start.

This list also includes United 93, Elizabeth, Pretty Woman, My Neighbor Totoro, Howard's End, Sense and Sensibility (which I can't find the energy to finish), Steel Magnolias and probably more. No one knows if I'll be able to see all of these but I'm really curious and excited to see most of them.

There you have it! Do you have other films to recommend? What old films are you planning to see this year?

86th Academy Awards Winner Predictions and Nominee Rankings

 

BEST PICTURE

1. Gravity (ALTERNATE)

 

Full writeup

2. Captain Phillips

Full writeup

3. 12 Years a Slave (PREDICTED WINNER)

Full writeup 

4. Nebraska

Full writeup

5. The Wolf of Wall Street

Full writeup

6. Dallas Buyers Club

Full writeup 

7. Her

Full writeup

8. Philomena

Full writeup
 

9. American Hustle

Full writeup

BEST DIRECTOR:

1. Alfonso Cuarón – Gravity (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave (ALTERNATE)

3. Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

4. Alexander Payne – Nebraska

5. David O. Russell – American Hustle

BEST ACTOR:

1. Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof – Dallas Buyers Club (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort – The Wolf of Wall Street  (ALTERNATE)

3. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup – 12 Years a Slave

4. Bruce Dern as Woody Grant – Nebraska
5. Christian Bale as Irving Rosenfeld – American Hustle

BEST ACTRESS:

1. Cate Blanchett as Jeanette "Jasmine" Francis – Blue Jasmine (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone – Gravity

3. Meryl Streep as Violet Weston – August: Osage County

4. Judi Dench as Philomena Lee – Philomena

5. Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser – American Hustle (ALTERNATE)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

1. Jared Leto as Rayon – Dallas Buyers Club (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Barkhad Abdi as Abduwali Muse – Captain Phillips (ALTERNATE)

3. Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps – 12 Years a Slave

4. Jonah Hill as Donnie Azoff – The Wolf of Wall Street

5. Bradley Cooper as Agent Richard "Richie" DiMaso – American Hustle

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

1. Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey – 12 Years a Slave (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Jennifer Lawrence as Rosalyn Rosenfeld – American Hustle (ALTERNATE)

3. Julia Roberts as Barbara Weston-Fordham – August: Osage County*

4. June Squibb as Kate Grant – Nebraska

5. Sally Hawkins – Blue Jasmine as Ginger

*Julia Roberts is not in my personal Supporting Actresses ranking because I put her on Lead, in which she didn't enter the top 10. :(

BEST WRITING - ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

1. Nebraska – Bob Nelson

2. Blue Jasmine – Woody Allen

3. Her – Spike Jonze (PREDICTED WINNER)

4. American Hustle – Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell (ALTERNATE)

5. Dallas Buyers Club – Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack

BEST WRITING - ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

1. Before Midnight – Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, and Ethan Hawke (ALTERNATE)

2. The Wolf of Wall Street – Terence Winter

3. 12 Years a Slave – John Ridley (PREDICTED WINNER)

4. Captain Phillips – Billy Ray

5. Philomena – Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM:

1. The Croods

2. Frozen (PREDICTED WINNER)

3. Ernest & Celestine

Despicable Me 2

The Wind Rises (ALTERNATE)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:

1. The Hunt - Denmark

The Broken Circle Breakdown - Belgium (ALTERNATE)

The Great Beauty - Italy (PREDICTED WINNER)

The Missing Picture - Cambodia

Omar - Palestine

BEST DOCUMENTARY - FEATURE:

1. Cutie and the Boxer

2. The Act of Killing (PREDICTED WINNER)

3. 20 Feet From Stardom (ALTERNATE)

Dirty Wars

The Square

BEST FILM EDITING:

1. Captain Phillips (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Gravity (ALTERNATE)

3. 12 Years a Slave

4. Dallas Buyers Club

5. American Hustle

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:

1. Gravity (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Iron Man 3

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Lone Ranger

Star Trek Into Darkness

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:

1. Gravity – Emmanuel Lubezki (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Nebraska – Phedon Papamichael

3. Inside Llewyn Davis – Bruno Delbonnel

4. Prisoners – Roger Deakins

The Grandmaster – Philippe Le Sourd

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:

1. Gravity – Steven Price (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. Saving Mr. Banks – Thomas Newman

3. Her – William Butler and Owen Pallett (ALTERNATE)

4. Philomena – Alexandre Desplat

The Book Thief – John Williams

BEST ORIGINAL SONG:

1. "The Moon Song" from Her – Karen Orzolek and Spike Jonze

2. "Ordinary Love" from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – U2 (ALTERNATE)

3. "Let It Go" from Frozen – Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (PREDICTED WINNER)

"Happy" from Despicable Me 2 – Pharrell Williams

If Alone Yet Not Alone's nomination wasn't revoked, it'd be my number 1. #truestory

BEST SOUND EDITING:

All Is Lost

Captain Phillips

Gravity (PREDICTED WINNER)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Lone Survivor

BEST SOUND MIXING:

Captain Phillips

Gravity (PREDICTED WINNER)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Inside Llewyn Davis

Lone Survivor

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:

1. Her

2. Gravity (ALTERNATE)

3. The Great Gatsby (PREDICTED WINNER)

4. 12 Years a Slave

5. American Hustle

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING:

1. Dallas Buyers Club (PREDICTED WINNER)

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (ALTERNATE)

The Lone Ranger

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:

1. American Hustle (PREDICTED WINNER)

2. The Great Gatsby (ALTERNATE)

3. 12 Years a Slave

The Grandmaster

The Invisible Woman

BEST DOCUMENTARY - SHORT SUBJECT:

CaveDigger

Facing Fear

Karama Has No Walls

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life (PREDICTED WINNER)
Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM:

Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?

Helium

Just Before Losing Everything

That Wasn't Me

The Voorman Problem (PREDICTED WINNER)

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM:

1. Get a Horse! (PREDICTED WINNER)

Feral

Mr. Hublot

Possession

Room on the Broom

Total:

Gravity - 6

12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyers Club -3

Frozen - 2

American Hustle, Blue Jasmine, Captain Phillips, Her, The Great Gatsby - 1

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 Actors of 2013
Top 10 Lead Actresses of 2013

Top 5 ORIGINAL SCORES of 2013

Days before the 86th Academy Awards, here I present my Top 5 Original Scores of 2013.

5. Prince Avalanche - Explosions in the Sky & David Wingo

 

4. Her - Arcade Fire

 3. Saving Mr. Banks - Thomas Newman

2. Gravity - Steven Price

1. Before Midnight - Graham Reynolds

Honorable Mentions:

All Is Lost - Alexander Ebert

Ain't Them Bodies Saints - Daniel Hart

Other Rankings:
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 Actors of 2013 
Top 10 Lead Actresses of 2013

The Monuments Men -- 'The Great Gatsby' of 2014?

The Monuments Men

Director: George Clooney

With: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville

Last year, before the awards season bloomed, The Monuments Men project of George Clooney and his co-producer Grant Heslov seems like a great subsequent for their Academy Award winning film Argo -- the arts, Hitler, World War 2, Clooney are good ingredients for a Best Picture recipe. Then its trailer came out and it looked like a huge misfire of a great opportunity. Interviews of the cast about the film also made it seem like it's more of an Ocean's 11/A-Team than your usual 'serious' Holocaust-related films. Finally, it was announced that the release has been pushed back to this year and it's bound to be a disaster.

Saw this last night and I must say, that it's not as bad as it looks and it's actually a little entertaining. But while it is enjoyable, this historical comedy-drama is a hit-and-miss in its punchlines and tender moments. It started a bit off with its humor but eventually hits some of the right punches in the second half to the end. Dramatically and historically, it does not leave a huge impact as the film is bombarded with funny skits, it's a little hard to take the film seriously. There are some sentimental moments that are really touching but while it's at it and the buildup is great, it finds its way in cheesy and cringe-worthy scenes that its impact becomes not as great as its potential.

George Clooney's attempt of making the subject matter light is fair and dignified, but most of the time, he misses the right calibrate. I could honestly say that George Clooney is not that good of a joker. He also included a number of unnecessary and forced scenes, one being a jab at Russia, and it's possibly the reason why it's considered a drag by some.

Having said these, this film is perked up by its charismatic ensemble. With a group of George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban and Hugh Bonneville as 'The Monuments Men', it can never go wrong that even with the bad script, their charisma makes up for its shortcomings. It's also good to see the current leading Oscar Best Actress nominee Cate Blanchett attack an entirely different role than her Jeanette/Jasmine in Blue Jasmine.

The Monuments Men could be my The Great Gatsby this year wherein critics find it distasteful while I find it fine and enjoyable. I could also see some of its aspects to be very competent and should be recognized come awards season -- like its fun, lively and sometimes poignant score by Alexandre Desplat and its production design that aptly encapsulates its time setting. Overall, I learned some from this but it could have been better.

MOVIE WRITEUPS: Wadjda, Inside Llewyn Davis & Cutie and the Boxer

Wadjda

Director: Haifaa al-Mansour
With: Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah, Ahd Kamel, Abdullrahman Algohani

Wadjda is a Saudi Arabian film about an 11-year-old Saudi lass named, guess what? WADJDA. This film has so many firsts. First, it's the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia =o. Second, it's the first feature length film directed by a female Saudi Arabian. Third, Wadjda is their first ever submission at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film category. I know!!!

Wadjda sort of reminds me of A Separation in a sense that it was able to integrate the country's culture to the film's plot and vice versa. Or it just happened naturally because of the setting. Wadjda is similar except the story is quite simpler. It's about the human spirit. The determination of this young lady Wadjda, who simply aimed to have a bike despite all of the traditions and circumstances that hinders her to have one. Apparently in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to ride bikes in public areas. :/ It's through this story that the director was able to display many Saudi Arabian culture and traditions that almost everything was a revelation. It's kind of fascinating albeit the simple story.

Even then, it does not stop from the culture and traditions as one of this film's heavy theme is also feminism. Yes, we're living in a world where women seem to be the inferior sex in other countries. But who am I to judge? This film sort of reminds me of Thelma & Louise in a way, because of the huge amount of female empowerment and Wadjda is just like a modern but much younger Thelma/Louise. Go girl! Oh and this film also has a Nurse Ratched-like character except that she's a principal. Good characters and actresses.

I must say that as a film, it's really just... okay. But because of its background, this is a film of history and importance. And as a film with so many firsts, it sure opened up a lot of eyes about Saudi Arabia. That makes this film really relevant not only to Saudi Arabia, but to the world of cinema as well.  Here's hoping that they'd create more films for the world to see. I'm actually not aware that this is their first and unsure why but the content of Wadjda sort of explains it all. Not bad for a first either.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
With: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, F. Murray Abraham, Stark Sands, Jeanine Serralles, Adam Driver, Ethan Phillips, Alex Karpovsky

Inside Llewyn Davis is about a week in the life of a struggling singer who is determined to enter the New York's folk music scene in 1961. It is perhaps one of the most underacknowledged films of 2013. Not only do I find it pleasant, it's also chock-full of great quality in terms of actors, STYLE which is consistently marvelous, cinematography which is expected in a Coen bros film and of course, their direction. There is nothing thrilling about the story, but it's funny and smart enough to be appealing, somewhat dismal to an extent.

Oscar Isaac as Llewyn Davis is a revelation. His character alone is interesting to follow. Sarcastic, stubborn and complex. He's basically like the male version of Frances in Frances Ha. Not quite but they have a lot of similarities. Both don't know where to go even though they're trying. Both are in shitty situations but they're doing their best to survive despite their wrong decisions in life. Case in point, both are likable even if they're a mess.

I also like the inclusion of the cat as it sorta became an integral part of the story. It even acted better than Carey Mulligan who I suppose was having a hard time changing her accent. The songs are also beautiful. I love folk songs so I easily enjoyed most of them and I think even if you're not a lover of the genre, it's easy to like them especially the ones sang by Oscar Isaac. Totally listenable. The sincerity and the emotions connected to his songs pierce through his voice, his talent and the sound of his guitar. There's like a moment of silence and relaxation when he starts to sing, strum and act as his poignance glimmers through even in the bleakest corners of the setting.

Musically and visually, Inside Llewyn Davis is a treat and with Oscar Isaac's charismatic self and Coen bros unique and distinct direction, it is highly watchable.

Cutie and the Boxer

Director: Zachary Heinzerling
With: Noriko Shinohara, Ushio Shinohara

First of all, I want to thank the Academy for nominating this wonderful documentary. If it weren't for them, I would not know about this film that I so love and cherish. :3 This documentary is about the story of the 40-year marriage of the avant-garde boxing painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife Noriko who was 19 years old when she fell in love with the 41-year-old painter. It also features their original artworks and footage of their moments as a young couple.

Cutie and the Boxer is my favorite 2013 documentary. A huge factor is its cinematography. There's nothing a great cinematography in a documentary film can't please. Most documentaries have shaky footage and blurry scenes as it mirrors rawness and age. The more raw the better, the blurrier the older, so it's such a delight and refreshment when documentarians pick a better way of expressing their story by providing glossy and artistic shots. Let's face it, some documentaries, as important the messages they tell, are boring. And old hideous videos incorporated to them don't help. But Cutie and the Boxer combined these old videos with astoundingly uber artistic, pleasing to the eyes materials and it got me glued. Just like how the past documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi did.

It's just apt that this documentary featured highly creative shots because it revolves around an artistic couple with such a great background to them. Ushio, used to fame and fortune, is now a struggling artist who's having a hard time excelling in the modern world of art. But he is determined to reboost his legacy. Now 80, he hardly can work on his own. Thus, needing the support and assistance of his wife, Noriko. He's also striving to make a living for his family out of his works. His problem with alcoholism also doesn't help. On the other hand, Noriko is now finding her own voice in art that vanished because of her choice to pursue Ushio rather than her ambitions when she was young. She narrates their love story through a series of paintings entitled 'Cutie and the Bullie' and one can tell the emotions and actions associated to her pieces are intense despite her calm nature. Seemingly filled with regrets and frutsrations, she is persistent to improve her stature as a wife to Ushio and a mother to their son. More importantly, as an individual who is now discovering her own creative style and personality which also translates to her own fulfillment.

But despite this, both of their efforts as artists come to a fruition. It wasn't explored whether it was a success or not but what's much important and superior is that through the process of building their work and fulfilling their own purposes, they showed how they truly love each other. That to me is the real success in their journey as a couple. By this time, us viewers have already been touched in the highest power. This documentary shows how strong bonds prevail against the negative aspects of marriage and love. Against the obstacles involved in any relationship. It also makes us understand why there are marriages that stand the test of time however negative they appear to people.

Cutie and the Boxer, unlike other documentaries, may not create a huge impact to mankind as it doesn't tackle world issues. But in its own uniqueness, it explains love and marriage sincerely and substantially. It is a perfect documentary that depicts imperfect and honest love. One can't deny the achievement of this documentary in telling a love story that's so hopeless at first but finds its way to the right direction regardless of hardships and difficulties. Ushio and Noriko's love story is simply amazing and a great example to couples. To top everything, the scenes in the end credits altogether personifies their one-of-a-kind relationship. Definitely made me smile and say that Noriko and Ushio's story is truly a remarkable celebration of love.