Dallas, Her, Wolf - What a Year for Movies

Four months ago the 86th Academy Awards took place.

Four days ago I watched the last of the nine Best Picture nominees.

Four hours ago I decided which one I liked best.

And four minutes ago I changed my mind.  Again.

Having trouble picking this year.  But unlike recent years it’s not because none of the films really stood out - it’s that there were more than a few that did.  In fact, this was the best year for movies since 2011 (Winter’s Bone, The King’s Speech, The Social Network, Inception, The Fighter and True Grit.)  Not bad.

So without further ado (I'm all out of ado, actually) here's the list:

Dallas Buyers Club

What it’s about:  The struggle of a Ron Woodroof, a homophobic cowboy who gets AIDS in 1985 and has to fight friends, doctors, big pharma and the government in order to survive this dangerous, new disease.

Loved this movie, and not just because Scott Takeda appears within. The story tugs at your heart, but not in a sappy, Steven-Spielberg way.  McConaughey’s transition from healthy homophobe to terminally ill champion of those he hated is sincere and believable.  Leto seems not so much acting as letting out another person who’s been living inside him.  And Jennifer Garner proves again it’s just a matter of time until she wins an Oscar of her own.
 
Review-ku:

Early days of AIDS.
Rodeo cowboy did al-
right alright alright.

Her

What it’s about:  The futuristic tale of a recently-divorced introvert who falls in love with his computer’s operating system.

This movie gets huge points on creativity alone. Spike Jonze’s love story set in futuristic Los Angeles paints a picture of a world where artificial intelligence has advanced to the point where a fulfilling relationship doesn’t really require another person.

Again, Joaquin Phoenix morphs into his character to the point of being unrecognizable. His co-star, the voice of Scarlett Johansson, received calls for a Best Actress nomination. While I could listen to SJ read old issues of the American Journal of Psychiatry for 12 hours straight, there are other, more compelling reasons to check out this gem.

Review-ku:

Scarlett Johansson
Living in my mobile phone?
Where do I sign up?

The Wolf of Wall Street

What it’s about:  The ‘true’ story of a slimy stock broker in the 90’s. Sex, drugs, stocks, strippers, cars, yachts, drugs, egos, FBI agents, drugs, midgets, drugs. Did I mention drugs?

People either loved or hated this movie. Count me in the loved camp. One of Martin Scorsese’s finest efforts, great thought was put into every shot. No fillers to get from one scene to the next (hello American Hustle) - even the simplest transitions are with care.  Think Amélie, The King’s Speech, The Assassination of Jesse James…  Wolf is one of those films.

Jonah Hill excels as the slimiest of a truly slimy crew, Rob Reiner is foul-mouthed and funny, and Australian newcomer Margot Robbie is maybe the guiltiest pleasure in a movie bursting with them. DiCaprio is fun to watch even though at no point do you forget it’s him you’re watching.

Home of one of my favorite scenes of the year.

Review-ku:

Entertaining flick
Though by the end it makes you
Want to take a bath

Gravity

What it’s about: Astronaut Sandra Bullock faces near-insurmountable obstacles after a freak accident destroys her shuttle and kills her crew.

Visually stunning, Gravity was not meant to watch at home unless you have a very, very large TV.  All the hallmarks of a great drama are here - likable characters (Bullock as the newbie astronaut, George Clooney as the warm and wise mentor), near impossible odds with death always an eyelash away, time running out, and a touching B-story brought up just often enough.

At times it’s a bit predictable, other times a bit cheesy, but the imagery alone makes the time fly by - a trait not always seen in 2+ hour movies.

Review-ku:

Two hours about
Sandra Bullock’s well-shaped as-
tronaut character.

American Hustle

What it’s about: Hollywood producers dress popular actors in 70’s clothing, give one a perm and one a comb-over and how in the world could hilarity not ensue?

A virtual Hollywood all-star team combines to make a recent period piece about scam artists and nutty FBI agents in bed together. Cooper and Bale are solid, but Lawrence was the high mark for me as she can play a great crazy. Amy Adams joins the fun as she is contractually obligated to appear in every single movie until 2024.  Bonus: excellent soundtrack.

Review-ku:

Adams and Bale,
Scammers in the seventies.
Cooper gets a perm.

Philomena

What it’s about: An elderly woman enlists the help of a past-his-prime reporter to track down the child she was forced to give up many years ago.

Judi Dench. Really that’s reason enough to watch Philomena. But, if you’re some kind of doofus who needs more than that there’s Steve Coogan, who helped adapt the book. Both are relatable and fun to watch. This is a comfortable movie, a drama with just the right amount of comedy sprinkled in. Good viewing for a rainy day. I’m assuming. I live where it doesn’t rain.

Review-ku:

Enjoyable film,
Though 'Philomena' sounds like
a rare STD.

Captain Philips

What it’s about: A cargo ship captain tossed into a volatile situation after Nigerian pirates board his vessel.

Another movie based on a book, staring Tom Hanks. Enjoyable for the most part but about 30 minutes longer than needed. Director Paul Greengrass does a great job of building tension in the first half but even America’s favorite actor can’t overcome a script that rambles on and on in the second. Proof that longer isn’t always better.

Review-ku:

Hey look it’s pirates
But not the Johnny Depp kind
Forrest Gump kicks ass!

12 Years a Slave

What it’s about: A documentary on the first ice cream stand at Coney Island. No, of course not. Just look at the title. Duh.

From the title, buzz and reviews, I wasn’t looking forward to seeing this one.  I put it off until I’d seen all of the others, expecting it to be a gut-wrenching ordeal like Schindler’s List or Roots, one of those movies you wish you could un-see. But, outside of one incredibly-uncomfortable, well-shot scene, it didn’t meet expectations. A good film, for sure. Interesting, definitely. Well-made, you bet. Socially important, of course. Best Picture? Meh. 

Review-ku:

Oh Hollywood, you
Like nothing more than patting
Yourself on the back.

Nebraska

What it’s about: An old man believes he’s won the lottery after receiving one of those Publishers Clearinghouse letters. His son drives him to the claim center a couple states away to shut him up. Road trip!

Towards the end of this movie one thought kept running through my mind: “Who did what, and to whom, to get this movie nominated?”

Best pic nominees should be strong in all areas. Story/writing, acting, direction, virtually all of the other categories combined. Nebraska, not so much. Not even close. But it was in black and white - that’s artistic! Yes, it sure was a pretty movie.

Review-ku:

Not sure how it got
A nod, then again it was
Shot in black and white.