The first four

As I always do around this time of year, I began watching the films that are nominated for various achievements. In particular I focus on the Oscar nominees. Award season has always been an exciting time for me (and millions of avid film lovers/creators) but seeing as I now study film and film theory as part of my course, I finally have a valid excuse to watch a hoard of new movies each week. And this year the Oscar noms are films that I really want to see! So far I have watched Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Flight and Silver Linings Playbook in that order. But before I delve into comparisons and opinions I want to make clear that these opinions are my own. You may not agree with them and that is something you are fully entitled to and it doesn't bother me one bit! But I ask that you keep an open mind to any criticisms I make. And as for spoilers, I don't plan on including any in this post but just in case if you haven't seen the four afore mentioned films maybe give this blog a miss!
Les Mis was a huge disappointment. Having never seen the stage show or read the book, I approached the film with a completely open mind like many others and prepared myself to be wowed by a story and characters that friends have described as breath taking and captivating. Unfortunately the experience I had was nothing like the experience that friends had had. I found the story to be messy and disjointed and the characters were underdeveloped. As my opinion was drastically different to those of nearly everyone else who saw the film, I decided to read a little into the creation and development of Les Miserables. I really tried to change my mind but even after reading page after page of facts and stories, I still found myself utterly underwhelmed. It is possible that my expectations were simply too high but isn't it also equally possible that the film was just 'average'. I do believe that Anne Hathaway gave a desperate performance and for that she deserves an oscar but I really hope that Les Mis does not win Best Picture. In my opinion, it is not the best film in that category.

The second film I saw was also my favourite. Actually I've gotten pretty obsessed with everything about it! Django Unchained directed by the infamous Quentin Tarantino is a fantastic blend of serious and comedic. I was pleasantly surprised by certain scenes that had the audience in stitches. Naturally, as the film explores Slavery in the South, there were scenes that I found difficult to watch. In particular, the audiences first encounter with Mandingo fighters was bloody and painful to watch. I believe whole heartedly that this film deserves every single award it has been nominated for. Not only was the screenplay excellently written and executed but every aspect of the film from the actors to the carefully selected soundtrack helped pull together a truly interesting and compelling piece of cinema that I want to see again and again. Jamie Foxx was snubbed by the Academy but his performance will not go unnoticed by film goers across the world. If he hadn't already proven himself as a serious actor with Ray, this film will certainly do it. And I for one cannot wait to hear Christoph Waltz acceptance speech.

Flight starring Denzel Washington is not actually nominated for Best Picture but is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. I completely understand this decision. Whilst it is a heart wrenching story of a troubled pilot and is acted brilliantly by Washington, it did feel very familiar to films that have already been made. I enjoyed Flight in the same way that I enjoy films with Colin Firth - I could take it or leave it. I wasn't bored but I wasn't fully engaged with the characters. I don't think Denzel will win in his category but I think that even he knows that. It was a very average film for him to be involved with. But one aspect of the plot that I really 'enjoyed' was the unfortunate circumstances. The audience sees Captain Whitaker navigate through an incredibly unusual and tragic situation. We see a true hero at work. Unfortunately the aftermath of the crash sees government officials desperate to assign blame. And despite his courageous and skilled efforts he was intoxicated during the incident and has to face the consequences for that. Facing your own devils and accepting the consequences is a heavy theme in the movie that is possibly the reason for its popularity amongst audiences.
Finally, I saw Silver Linings Playbook. This film surprised me. Whilst it was still showing in cinemas I felt no inclination to go and see it. I don't know if it was the trailer that failed to capture my interest or if it was my misconceptions about Bradley Cooper in any serious role. But thankfully the movie was not what I had thought it would be. The heavy subject matter was dealt with delicately and Lawrence and Cooper make a wonderful on-screen couple. I enjoyed Robert De Niro's portrayal of Pat Sr. and overall enjoyed the experience of watching it. It could have been very easy for the film to step on the toes of other films that deal with the inner workings of a troubled mind but it managed to pave its own way. In terms of cinematography I would compare it to A Beautiful Mind. Both films have a dark wash over them but Silver Linings has breaks with light humour and conversation. Whilst A Beautiful Mind is purely drama opposed to the rom-com drama that I am comparing it to, it shows the delicacy of the mind and how fragile we are especially when our emotions go into over drive. This emotional state is seen repeatedly throughout Silver Linings Playbook. Despite my positive review of the film, I do not think that it is Best Picture material. A movie needs to really evoke an emotional response. With Django Unchained, I smiled, I laughed, I teared up, I recoiled and I gasped. But with Silver Linings Playbook I simply watched and took in the action. I was reading up on the film and its creation and discovered it was based on a book that I have now added to my 'to read' list for summer. I find books are normally better at stirring emotions so hopefully my opinion will be swayed once its read.

My first blog of the year has turned into the longest. But hey! I love films and I love to write about them. Hopefully I will have watched the remainder of the Best Picture nominees before the ceremony in late February.