The Optimist's Oscar Run 2015!!

 
   So, the Oscars have arrived! Less than 24 hours from now people all over America, maybe even the whole world, will gather around their televisions and watch as Hollywood's finest gather on the red carpet and celebrate each other's achievments over the past year. In other words, they wanna know just as bad as we do who wins, and more importantly, who loses!

   My goal this year was to have watched all of the Best Picture nominated films prior to the awards show. As life would have it, The Optimist came just slightly short of that goal. At any rate, this will be a brief outline of six of the eight nominated films. Of those six I can say that all were truly amazing in their own right. I highly recommend each and every one. Seriously, they're awesome. Of the two I missed...they'll be out soon on DVD and Netflix, I'm sure. Anywho, with out further adieu, here's The Optimist's Oscar Run!

   "Whiplash" is the intriguing tale of young, aspiring drummer Andrew (Miles Teller) who enrolls into a highly competitive, highly cut-throat music conservatory. His dreams of becoming one of the greatest drummers of all time are nurtured and ultimately tested by the infamously dark, and hardened instructor Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). Fletcher's style of instruction is structured on getting the utmost amount of potential from his students by breaking them down emotionally, and at times, physically. Both Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons give some of the best performances not only of the year, but of their respective careers. Hence Simmons' Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination. The dynamic between Andrew and Fletcher is palpable and the tension is pulsating. You really feel connected to Andrew as he goes through the experiences of the film, so much so, that you feel as an audience member the very emotions he feels every time he's beaten down by the tremendously acted Fletcher. The story is provocative, the characters are intense, and the soundtrack is outstanding. If anything, "Whiplash" will rejuvenate jazz music for a new generation. Do not pass up the opportunity to see this film. You won't be disappointed.
 


  It took me a while to eventually get to see "Birdman (Or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)", but I can't say enough about how glad I am that I did. It was so bizarre, yet equally charming all at the same time. The story is saturated with originality and heart; each character drips with enticing morsels of screen time that it is difficult NOT to be mesmerized. The film itself, in how it was shot, is a cinematic-breath-of-fresh-air; the entirety of the movie seems to be filmed in one continuous take. It's an experience, for sure. The premise behind this fabulous film follows a washed up actor named Riggan, played by recent Golden Globe winner Michael Keaton. Riggan is famously known for playing a comic book hero earlier in his career, much like the actor who brings him to life. Riggan battles his ego while attempting to recover his broken family, and his crumbling career, all while trying to open a Broadway play. This movie is...one of a kind. As mentioned before, it recently brought home the Golden Globe award for Best Actor (Keaton), and is up for NINE Academy Awards.
   Again, like beating a dead horse, I can't stress enough in such a short span of time how blown away I was when I saw it. It's one of the most creative movies I've seen to date. It pushes the boundaries of contemporary film making, almost forcing you as the audience to literally move along with Riggan. It's such a daunting task to take on as a filmmaker and I applaud Alejandro González Iñárritu on this huge achievement in directing. This charming, dark, hilarious, well acted and well-directed film is not to be missed. (And it's The Optimist's choice to win Best Picture...not that that matters or anything. But I guess we'll see...)


"The Imitation Game" is an exhilarating character piece that follows one of history's most intriguing stories. In a nutshell, the story takes place during World War II as a group of mathematicians, lead by the great mind of Alan Turing, strive to crack the enigma code. The story itself is compelling, tapping into all the emotional depth and drama that comes with utilizing the backdrop of World War II. But what is truly fun to watch is the developing story behind the flawed, genius mind of Turing. Benedict Cumberbatch has become a household name in entertainment with his work on "Sherlock" and other great works of late like "Star Trek Into Darkness" and "The Hobbit" films. Sometimes when we see an actor take on a role so powerfully, so intimately, it's hard to see them in another light. Cumberbatch is kind of like that for me, however I lose all sight of his past work as he fully envelopes the complicated life of Alan Turing. The overall story is well-written. It has heart, comedy, and a powerful message of inspiration and dedication to ones' self. It's really quite entertaining.


   The biggest surprise for me out off all the nominated films was "The Grand Budapest Hotel". I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion, and it's become one of my favorite films of 2014. The movie follows the outrageous adventures of  Gustav H (Ralph Fiennes), the legendary concierge at the famous hotel in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka between World Wars I and II, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend and ally. The cast is amazing; listing the entirety would take forever. Ralph Fiennes gives a stupendously comedic performance that is complimented greatly by each and every cast member around him. The writing is witty, and the film is unique and entertaining at best. I've come to learn with Wes Anderson's films that the best way to experience them is to do just that: experience them. Stray away from critical reviews (except of this one of course, hard har har!) and just watch it with an open mind and the willingness to go with him into the fascinating worlds he creates. This movie is weird, but in a good way! Will it win Best Picture? I don't think so, but it deserves its nomination, for sure.


"Boyhood" is simply the life story of a boy named Mason from age 5 to 18. No, it's not a documentary. It's a thoughtful, poignant approach to the everyday life of an average boy. So what's so amazing about it? For starters, the film took 12 years to make. Odd, right? Why, you might ask? Because Richard Linklater set out to do what no one else (as far as I know) has attempted to do. He wanted to make a film about a family's journey over the space of 12 years where the entire cast of the film stayed the same from start to finish. It's pretty dang cool. (I reviewed this film earlier in the year and you can read my full review of "Boyhood" here.)



   I'll start off by saying that if you haven't seen "American Sniper" yet, repent and go. The film illustrates quite masterfully the affects of war on those who serve. This story hits home in many ways, the most poignant being that its fairly recent. This Clint Eastwood directed docudrama follows Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and his spot-on accuracy during the events of his four tours. On the battlefield he's known as a legend; his unmatched accuracy has given him the title of America's most deadly sniper. The legend however is contrasted by the flip side of military service, that being the home life the soldiers leave behind. Dealing with the affects of his many tours of service, Chris copes with keeping his family together. It's a powerful story, and visually stunning. (I reviewed this film earlier in the year and you can read my full review of "American Sniper" here.)


Unfortunately I missed out on seeing "Selma" and "The Theory of Everything", but I have every intention of rectifying that. And of course, you can catch my reviews here! I've heard nothing but great things about both of these films.


















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