Waltz with Bashir

Ari Folman's Waltz with Bashir is one of the most unique films you will ever see. And it certainly is one of the very best films of 2008.

It is a documentary focusing on Isreali soldiers who served in the war on Lebanon in 1982. Folman himself was in that war. At the beginning of the film he is talking to friend who tells him of a dream he has been having for 20 years. The dream is very disturbing but it never stops. And it has to do with the fact that he was involved in the 1982 war. Folman cannot remember anything about his participation in that war. So he goes on a search of others who were in that war. He also speaks to therapists about his trauma and loss of memory. The story is very compelling and the way Folman pieces together everything is amazing. The film is animated - which adds to its greatness. And there is a fabulous soundtrack. Folman knows how to make make sight and sound mesh.

Just a bit of history. The Christian Phalangists in Lebanon were headed by Bashir Gemayel. After he was assasinated the Phalangists went into the Palestinian refuge camps of Sabra & Shatila and massacred many, many people. The Israeli army knew about this but did nothing. So, they are to blame as well. Folman is not afraid to be critical of them.

I don't want to say much more about the film. I had a hard time getting up after seeing it. But I think that it is a must see. Waltz with Bashir has already won numerous awards and I hope that on February 22 the Academy does the right thing and gives it the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

This is a film about how war affects soldiers. And it is ultimately a film that is anti-war.

DVD Mini Review - The Two of Us

The Two of Us was the late Claude Berri's first feature film (he died on January 12 of this year). And what a wonderful debut it was.

The story is a simple one. Young Claude (Alain Cohen) and his parents are in hiding from the Nazis during World War II. The woman who has taken them in most recently convinces Claude's parents that it might be better for him to live in the country with her parents. He would be much safer there than in a big city. The catch is that he must live as a Catholic and change his last name. Claude and his famiily are Jews and the woman's father is not fond of them.

So off to the country Claude goes. Claude calls the old man Grandpa (Michel Simon plays him). The two of them form a close bond and you can see that they love each other. Claude will sometimes ask Grandpa what he thinks about Jews or why he doeesn't like them but he never blows his cover. Grandpa doesn't just single out Jews - he isn't crazy about Asians, Freemasons or Communists either.

Berri does a wonderful job of directing the film - he also co-wrote the screenplay. Young Cohen is very good as Claude. And Simon is outstanding as Grandpa. He makes his character so likeable despite the fact that his views are deplorable to us.

No need to go into what happens in the film. Just rent it and see for yourself. Included in the DVD is Berri's Oscar winning short Le Poulet (he features love of animals and vegetarianism in these films). In addition, there are a few interviews with Berri (including one with the woman who hid him and his parents), an old interview with Simon and a more recent one with Cohen. I commend folks at Criterion who put this together.

Defiance

Defiance is a true story of the feisty Bielsky brothers who decided to fight the Nazis rather than go like sheep to the slaughter. The film is based on a book by Nechama Tec and it is directed by Edwards Zwick. Zwick tries to make a good film but I would say that he just made an okay film (not a bad one either).

After their parents are killed the brothers head for the forest to hide. Tuvia (Daniel Craig appears to be the leader) but he has fierce competiton from his brother Zus (Liev Schreiber). Tuvia was a more reasoned approache while Zus is more interested in revenge. Younger brother Asael (Jamie Bell) is torn between them.

While hiding in the forest they are joined by more and more Jews who are in hiding. They decide to form a community and rebuild their lives.

The problem with the film is that it is more of a Hollywood action film than anything else. We don't find out much about the brothers. I would have liked to know more about their backgrounds.

All of the acting is good with Craig and especially Schreiber turning in terrific performances. Also of note in the acting department is Alan Corduner as Shamon Haretz. He is a wonderful actor. I think that if a different director made this film - especially a European director - it would have made a world of difference.

Despite its flaws I was glad that I saw Defiance. It tells a little known story that needed to be told.

SAG Awards Winners

Film
Ensemble Cast: Slumdog Millionaire
Lead Actress: Meryl Streep, Doubt
Lead Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Lifetime Achievement Award: James Earl Jones

Television
Lead Actress, Comedy Series: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Lead Actor, Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Ensemble Cast, Comedy Series: 30 Rock
Lead Acress, Drama Series: Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Lead Actor, Drama Series: Hugh Laurie, House
Ensemble Cast, Drama Series: Mad Men
Lead Actress, Miniseries: Laura Linney, John Adams
Lead Actor, Miniseries: Paul Giamatti, John Adams

DVD Mini Review - The Inheritance

The Inheritance is a very good film directed by Per Fly. It shows us how people who are good can be easily corrupted. Christoffer (Ulrich Thomsen) left Denmark for a nice life in Sweden. He runs a restaurant and has a loving relationship with his partner Maria (Lisa Werlinder). Maria is stage actress on her way up. The couple has a brief visit from Christoffer's father and before you can say boo they find out that he has committed suicide. Naturally, Christoffer has to go back to Denmark for the funeral.

Christoffer's domineering mother Annelise (Ghita Norby) wants Christoffer to take over the steele factory. He has worked there before and found it unbearably stressful. Hence his flight to Sweden and a better life. But Annelise works on him and gets him to agree to do this. This causes tremendous strain on his relationship with Maria, who doesn't want to leave Sweden. It also causes problems with his sister Benedikte (Karina Skand) who is married to Ulrik (Lars Brygmann). You see, Ulrik has worked at the factory for fifteen years and he thought he would take over when something happened to his father in law.

Besides all of this tension with family Christoffer has to lay off many long time employees. This creates even more stress.

This film is very relevant to what goes on these days. But it also shows how people sell their souls. Christoffer is a changed man. He hates what he is doing but yet he does it. It seems like his mother has some kind of power over him and he just can't refuse her.

I won't say more about the plot. But the ending does not give us a neat little wrapped up package. Fly's directing is terrific. All of the actors are on par. You can just feel the tension that Thomsen creates in his Christoffer.

People should be true themselves but most of us are not. We trade a paycheck or sometimes prestige and power for what our soul wants. I suppose that is how it is in this materialistic, capitalistic world. And it is too bad for all of us.

2009 Oscar Nominations

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year
“Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
“Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction
“Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography
“Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design
“Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
“Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature
“The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
“Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
“The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
“Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
“Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject
“The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
“The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
“Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
“The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
“Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year
“The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
“The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
“Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
“Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
“Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

Achievement in makeup
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.),Alexandre Desplat
“Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
“Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
“O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman andMaya Arulpragasam

Best motion picture of the year
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production,Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
“Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production,Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film
“La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
“Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
“Oktapodi” (Talantis Films) A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
“Presto” (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
“This Way Up”, A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

Best live action short film
“Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
“Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
“New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
“The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
“Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
“Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
“Wanted” (Universal),Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney),Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
“Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
“Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
“Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay
“Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
“Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
“In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
“Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

DVD Mini Review - Roma

Director Adolfo Aristarin has created a very interesting film with Roma. The story takes place primarily in Buenos Aires and in Madrid as well.

Manuel Cuerto (Juan Diego Botto) is a journalist student who also works for a publishing company. He is assigned to help famous writer Joaquin Gonez (Jose Sacristan) write his autobiography. But Joaquin is not an easy person to work with.

As time goes on Joaquin remembers his childhood. Young Joaquo (Agusting Garrie) had a very happy home life. But his father dies when he is very young and he is primarily raised by his mother Roma (Suse Pecoraro). Roma has great faith in him but as a young adult Joaquo (also played by Botto) seems aimless.

This is a wonderful little story and it held my interest for the two and half hour running time. This film includes romance, intrigue, politics and social unrest. Pecoraro is wonderful in the title role and all of the other actors were. All in all, this is a very touching film which centers on the power of a mother's love. Highly recommended for lovers of world cinema.

The Wrestler from a wrestling fan's point of view

As promised, here is the piece by my nephew Scott:

Being a wrestling fan nearly all my life, I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in on the authenticity of the film's more graphic moments. I've seen almost every type of match, either on television, tape, live or on the internet, and I feel that the 3 matches in the film more than pay respect to how wrestlers perform in the ring. The first match, where Randy "The Ram" Roberts wrestles a up and comer named Tommy Rotten is as basic as you get. Throw some punches, hit a handful of spots, some cheap heat to get the crowd prepared for "The Ram's" comeback, and the payoff with the finishing maneuver from the top for the 1, 2, 3. Even the blading, the act of cutting a body part to draw blood to add more realism to the match, was well done, albeit more obvious than it would be during a match. Most times, the wrestler will do their best to hide the blading from the audience, while here, for the sake of the movie, it was very obvious. But that is more a minor issue that does not take away from the film or match within. It was interesting to see before the match how Tommy was, before anything else, a fan. It was also interesting to see them talk about the spots, or stunts, they would perform in the ring, as well as the use of cheap heat to get a crowd reaction. Cheap heat is where the heel, or villain, would use a low blow and cheap shot to get the crowd booing the heel and preparing for the babyface's, the hero, so to speak, comeback.

The second match of the movie is the exact opposite of the first match where it was anything but basic. For the most part, it wasn't even about wrestling. It was about the blood. The gore. And the rabid fans eat it up. The level of violence, as unrealistic as it may seem, in the match is not an everyday part of wrestling, but is not uncommon. Randy "The Ram" wrestled The Necro Butcher, a man who is well known for putting his life on the line for the sake of the fans. He made his career working for promotions such as CZW and IWA-MS working deathmatches like these. The use of weapons in these matches are common, the amount of blood shed during them are sickening, and the fans of these promotions always want more. Other fans refer to it as garbage wrestling, due to the fact that most times it's not wrestling at all. The gore here was what you usually get in those matches, maybe even a little subdued. Before the match you saw "The Ram" and his steroid connection go to a dollar store and pick out items to be used in the match. I know this happens because I've been to shows where wrestlers walk into the ring with a bag of goodies you would only find in a dollar store. Pizza cutters, frying pans, cookie sheets, cheap trash cans, plastic bowls, plastic baseball bats, plungers, and giant plastic crayons, all to be used as weapons in a match. I've actually seen a dvd player used in a match recently. I never did get to find out if it still worked or not.

The last match of the movie might have been the best representation in the film, although somewhat unrealistic for the independent wrestling scene. Usually when you see two old wrestlers go at it in the ring, even those that were once as iconic as "The Ram" and the Ayatollah were to have been, it would not garner that much fanfare, nor would it really be showcased in ROH. But that is another reason why this movie worked so well in the ring, they were able to create that big match feel even at a show that usually only gathers 800 people in the crowd. The spectacle was well covered, but what really made this match was the acting within Randy's response to his heart about to give out on him, the Ayatollah trying to end the match early to save his life, the speech before the match, and the ending, where you are left to make your own judgment on what happened. It truly felt like an historic moment in wrestling history that played out so well in the ring.

Darren Aronofsky did the right thing for this film, hiring wrestlers and having them act, something they do on a show by show basis, instead of having actors try to wrestle. The quality of wrestling in the movie would hold up on any independent show I've been to in the last 10 years. It wasn't the most technically sound wrestling, but then again the movie was not about that but rather the wrestler himself. I will give all the credit in the world to Mickey Rourke, though. He learned moves at his age some young wrestlers could not even pull off. It felt like he has been wrestling for years, and did not just learn it for the movie.

Being broken down, heavy hearted, and doing anything he can to stay in that spotlight. Most wrestlers with his history would not work a match like that of the Deathmatch scene with the surprisingly humble Necro Butcher, but Randy "The Ram" needs to continue living the life. I've seen this in person on more than one occasion, wrestlers who should have long ago hung up their boots lumbering around the ring for the next big pop. But they just can't leave the ring. The need the fans more than they need to walk when they get home. Also, back in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, not many people prepared for life outside the ring. So all they can do is stay in the ring, even when they no longer have the ability to do so. I think that was one of the best and well represented aspects of "The Ram's" character. Especially in the end, where he risks love and his life just to have that one last moment, that one last time where the crowd chants his name, and he's the star of the show again.
The language used in the film was also rather authentic. The terms face, heel, pop, spot, heat, bump, all used in the business today, as well as the "smart mark" fans out there. Going over spots before the matches, talking in the ring about the next spot, even having to cover for an injured opponent, was very well done. The only thing I really couldn't comment on is the sale of steroids right in the locker room, but according to some wrestlers they say this is unrealistic while others confirmed it. Also, as a fan, I had a fun time picking out wrestlers I knew in the background, like Monsta Mack backstage at the JAPW show or Bobby Dempsey backstage at the ROH show. I'm trying my hardest not to chant Bobby Dempsey right now.

I am such a mark, and as one, this film was very well made, in and out of the ring. Rourke really felt like a broken down wrestler, someone who should have retired years ago and moved on. Ernest "The Cat" Miller's Ayatollah was a good villain to Rourke's Randy "The Ram" Roberts. And I'm happy a movie like this was finally made. It might finally break the stigma that wrestling is for white trash only. For me, this film is an absolute must see and a must buy the day of release.

- Scott (nexusdx.deviantart.com)

Just a note, one of the wrestlers that were in the first locker room scene, Paul E. Normus, died just days ago. Still don't know how or why at the time of writing this.

Last Chance Harvery & The Wrestler

A few words on two movies that I saw yesterday.

Last Chance Harvey is an old fashioned romantic comedy in the style that we don't see too often these days. And that is because the two people involved are not in their 20s or 30s.

Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is a failed pianist writing jingles for a living in NYC. In addition to not be satisfied with what he does, he is constantly gettig hassled by his boss. He had to go to London for his daughter Susan's (Lianne Balaban) wedding. When he gets to his hotel he finds that his ex-wife Jean (Kathy Baker) has made arrangements for all family members to stay at a rented house. All except Harvey. So he understandably feels left out. When he goes to the rehearsal he has that same feeling. Things get even worse for him when he finds out that Susan decides that her stepfather Brian (James Brolin) will give her away.

Adding insult to injury Harvey finds out that he just got fired. After leaving the wedding ceremony goes to a local restaurant/bar for a drink and encounters Kate Walker (Emma Thompson). He had encountered here at the airport when he came in. She was taking a survey and he quickly brushed her off. Kate had a bad blind date the night before and just wants to be left alone. But when she and Harvey start to talk they find that something special happens.

I will not say more about the plot. But Last Chance Harvey is a very charming and warm film. Hoffman and Thompson have wonderful chemistry together. And even if you think that these things are not very likely to happen you get swept away with the story. Also marvelous in the film is Eileen Atkins as Kate's overbearing mother Maggie. The message of this film is that it is never too late to find love and happiness (and it can happen when you least expect it to).

Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler is one of the best films of 2008. In fact, I am surprised that there is not more Best Picture and Best Director buzz for this film.

Richard D. Siegel has written a terrific screenplay about a down and out wrestler named Randy "The Ram" Robertson (Mickey Rourke). Actually, his first name is really Robin and I can't remember his real last name. But that doesn't matter because Randy the Ram is who this man sees himself as. Randy works at a supermarket and has trouble making ends meet. In the 1980s he was a big star on the wrestling scene. But in 2008 he is a broken down man.

Randy likes to frequent a strip club and has a fondness for a stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), a woman who has identity issues of her own. But as she is not allowed to get close to customers it is hard for them to form a relationship.

Randy tries to repair his relationship with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). But that is even harder than trying to form a relationship with Cassidy. Stephanie has a lot hurt feelings from the past.

The wrestling scenes are very graphic and were sometimes very hard to watch. My nephew Scott was with me. He is a big wrestling fan and said these scenes were very authentic. He wrote a lengthy piece from a fan's point of view and I will publish it as a separate blog entry.

I will not say more about what happens. But I will say that Aronofsky certainly deserves more recognition for his work. As for Rourke, if I had my way he would win the Oscar. For me the mark of a great performance is when the actor does not have to open his/her mouth for you to feel something. And Rourke's weathered face and expressions says it all. He might be a mess of a man but your heart certainly goes out to him. Tomei is also outstanding and I hope that she gets an Oscar nomination.
We will find out later this week.

I loved the way the film ended. That is all I will say. But I have been thinking about it since I saw it yesterday. And mostly I am thinking about the brokenhearted cirucumstances in which some people have to live their lives. Do yourself a favor and see The Wrestler - one of the very best of 2008 with a performance for the ages.

BAFTA Nominations

BEST FILM
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Cean Chaffin
“Frost/Nixon” — Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
“Milk” — Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen
“The Reader” — Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Christian Colson

DIRECTOR
“Changeling” — Clint Eastwood
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — David Fincher
“Frost/Nixon” — Ron Howard
“The Reader” — Stephen Daldry
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Danny Boyle

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“Burn After Reading” — Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
“Changeling” — J. Michael Straczynski
“I’ve Loved You So Long” — Philippe Claudel
“In Bruges” — Martin McDonagh
“Milk” — Dustin Lance Black

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Eric Roth
“Frost/Nixon” — Peter Morgan
“The Reader” — David Hare
“Revolutionary Road” — Justin Haythe
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Simon Beaufoy

LEADING ACTOR
Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”
Dev Patel, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Sean Penn, “Milk”
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

LEADING ACTRESS
Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”
Kristin Scott Thomas, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
Kate Winslet, “The Reader”
Kate Winslet, “Revolutionary Road”

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey Jr., “Tropic Thunder”
Brendan Gleeson, “In Bruges”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
Brad Pitt, “Burn After Reading”

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Freida Pinto, “Slumdog Millionaire”
Tilda Swinton, “Burn After Reading”
Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”

MUSIC
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Alexandre Desplat
“The Dark Knight” — Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard
“Mamma Mia!” — Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus
“Slumdog Millionaire” — A.R. Rahman
“Wall-E” — Thomas Newman

CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Changeling” — Tom Stern
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Claudio Miranda
“The Dark Knight” — Wally Pfister
“The Reader” — Chris Menges, Roger Deakins
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Anthony Dod Mantle

EDITING
“Changeling” — Joel Cox, Gary D. Roach
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall
“The Dark Knight” — Lee Smith
“Frost/Nixon” — Mike Hill, Dan Hanley
“In Bruges” — Jon Gregory
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Chris Dickens

PRODUCTION DESIGN
“Changeling” — James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
“The Dark Knight” — Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
“Revolutionary Road” — Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Mark Digby, Michelle Day

COSTUME DESIGN
“Changeling” — Deborah Hopper
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Jacqueline West
“The Dark Knight” — Lindy Hemming
“The Duchess” — Michael O'Connor
“Revolutionary Road” — Albert Wolsky

SOUND
“Changeling” — Walt Martin, Alan Robert Murray, John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff
“The Dark Knight” — Lora Hirschberg, Richard King, Ed Novick, Gary Rizzo
“Quantum of Solace” — Eddy Joseph, Chris Munro, Mike Prestwood Smith, Mark Taylor
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp
“Wall-E” — Ben Burtt, Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Matthew Wood

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Eric Barba, Craig Barron, Nathan McGuinness, Edson Williams
“The Dark Knight” — Chris Corbould, Nick Davis, Paul Franklin, Tim Webber
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” — Pablo Helman
“Iron Man” — Shane Patrick Mahan, John Nelson, Ben Snow
“Quantum of Solace” — Chris Corbould, Kevin Tod Haug

MAKE UP & HAIR
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” — Jean Black, Colleen Callaghan
“The Dark Knight” — Peter Robb-King
“The Duchess” — Daniel Phillips, Jan Archibald
“Frost/Nixon” — Edouard Henriques, Kim Santantonio
“Milk” — Steven E. Anderson, Michael White

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
“Hunger” — Laura Hastings-Smith, Robin Gutch, Steve McQueen, Enda Walsh
“In Bruges” — Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Martin McDonagh
“Mamma Mia!” — Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman, Phyllida Lloyd, Catherine Johnson
“Man on Wire” — Simon Chinn, James Marsh
“Slumdog Millionaire” — Christian Colson, Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
“The Baader Meinhof Complex” — Bernard Eichinger, Uli Edel
“Gomorrah” — Domenico Procacci, Matteo Garrone
“I've Loved You So Long” — Yves Marmion, Philippe Claudel
“Persepolis” — Marc-Antoine Robert, Xavier Rigault, Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Parannaud
“Waltz With Bashir” — Serge Lalou, Gerhard Meixner, Yael Nahl Ieli, Ari Folman

ANIMATED FILM
“Persepolis” — Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Parannaud
“Wall-E” — Andrew Stanton
“Waltz With Bashir” — Ari Folman

SHORT ANIMATION
“Codswallop” — Greg McLeod, Myles McLeod
“Varmints” — Sue Goffe, Marc Craste
“Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death” — Steve Pegram, Nick Park, Bob Baker

THE CARL FOREMAN AWARD
(For special achievement by a British director, writer or producer for their first feature film.)
Simon Chinn, producer — “Man on Wire”
Judy Craymer, producer — “Mamma Mia!”
Garth Jennings, writer — “Son of Rambow”
Steve McQueen, director/writer – “Hunger”
Solon Papadopoulos, Roy Boulter, producers — “Of Time and the City”

SHORT FILM
“Kingsland #1 The Dreamer,” Kate Ogborn, Tony Grisoni
“Love You More,” Adrian Sturges, Sam Taylor-Wood, Patrick Marber
“Ralph,” Olivier Kaempfer, Alex Winckler
“September,” Stewart le Marechal, Esther May Campbell
“Voyages D’affaires” (The Business Trip), Celine Quideau, Sean Ellis

THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
Michael Cera
Noel Clarke
Michael Fassbender
Rebecca Hall
Toby Kebbell

DVD Mini Review - Glue

Glue is director Alexis Dos Santo's feature film debut. It takes place in a small town in Argentina. It is an interesting film but not for every taste.

The film focuses on Lucas (Nahuel Perez Biscayart), who is about 15 years old. He is off from school and it is a long, hot summer. His parents are separated. He really wants to have sex. The attraction between him and his best friend Nacho (Nahuel Viale) is growing. Add their mutual friend Andrea (Ines Efron) into the mix and you have something different.

There really isn't a plot to this film. It is more about experiences - namely the experiences of these three teenagers. Sometimes we hear their inner voices. At one point we hear Lucas think - "what is the difference between kissing a girl or a boy? The boy has a beard." Well, that is certainly true. The film explores bisexuality in a natural way. One can only imagine how an American film portray this.

While not fantastic filmmaking, Dos Santos has made a good first film. And he has a fresh approach. The three young actors are very good with Efron the standout (see her in XXY. She is absolutely amazing in that film). There is also a terrific fight scene in the film between Lucas's mother and the woman who is sleeping with her husband.

If you are into world cinema and want to see something that is not at all mainstream then check out Glue (and you will find out why it is called Glue).

Golden Globe Winners

Best Picture - Drama
Slumdog Millionaire


Best Actor - Drama
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler


Best Actress - Drama
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Best Picture - Comedy/Musical
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Actress - Comedy/Musical
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky


Best Actor - Comedy/Musical
Colin Farrell - In Bruges


Best Director
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire


Original Score
A. R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire


Best Writer
Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire


Foreign Language Film
Waltz With Bashir (Israel)


Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight


Animation
Wall-E


Original Song
"The Wrestler" - The Wrestler
Music & Lyrics By: Bruce Springsteen

Best Supporting Actress
Kate Winslet - The Reader



TELEVISION

Best Television Series - Drama
Mad Men


Best Performance By An Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical
Tina Fey - 30 Rock


Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical
30 Rock (NBC)
Universal Media Studios In Association With Broadway Video And Little Stranger Inc

Best Performance By An Actor In A Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television
Paul Giamatti - John Adams


Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock


Best Performance By An Actress In A Mini-Series
Or Motion Picture Made For Television
Laura Linney - John Adams


Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television
John Adams (Hbo)
Playtone In Association With Hbo Films

Best Performance By An Actress In A Television Series - Drama
Anna Paquin - True Blood


Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series - Drama
Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment


Best Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role In A Series, Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television
Tom Wilkinson - John Adams

Best Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role In A Series, Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television
Laura Dern - Recount



___________________________________________

Gran Torino & Revolutionary Road

I saw two more "Oscar" films over the weekend. The first film, Gran Torino, was directed and stars Clint Eastwood in what may be his last acting role. The film is scripted by Nick Shenk. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a retired Ford worker in Michigan. The film starts out with the funeral of Walt's beloved wife. It is easy to see that Walt does not get along with his two sons, their wives and his grandchildren. He also has no use for the young priest who wants to hear his confession. Walt just wants to be left alone so that he can sit on his porch and drink beer in the company of his loyal dog Daisy. He also likes to admire his 1972 Gran Torino. One thing that Walt does not like is the change in his neighborhood.

Next door to Walt lives a family of Hmong (from China or Laos) and at first they don't see eye to eye with Walt. But as time goes on the rather gruff elder becomes friendly with the brother and sister Thao (Bee Vang) and Sue (Ahney Her). As time goes on Walt becomes a changed man.

Gran Torino is clearly Eastwood's film. He gives a terrific performance that is at times quite funny. This is not great filmmaking nor is it one of Eastwood's best directed films. But it is solid and there are enough surprised to hold your interest - especially at the end. Eastwood could get an Oscar nomination and even a win. Who knows? It is certainly a possibility.

Revolutionary Road is directed by Sam Mendes from a script written by Jonathan Haythe. It is adapted from a novel by Richard Yates. I just finished the book days before I saw the film so I knew what to expect. But the film still carried an emotional punch.

Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April (Kate Winslet) live in suburban Connecticut with their two young children. On the outside it look like they have it all. But things are not what they seem. Frank hates his meaningless job. And April longs for a life with more fulfillment. They are often at odds with each other.

One day April comes up with a plan for the family to move to Paris. When she met Frank he told her he had been there and wants to go back because people are really alive over there. I'm certainly not going to tell you what happens. You will have to see the film (and read the book or do both) to find out.

This is a very strong film. It is not about surburbia. It is about how a marriage can fall apart. It doesn't really matter where they live. Mendes does a fine job in the directing department. DiCaprio has definitely matured as a actor and this is his best work yet. What is there to say about Winslet? She is one of the best actresses working today and her April is a torn up human being. It is suprising that this film is not getting much Oscar buzz but there are only so many films that can get nominated. I am also wondering why no one has mentioned the marvelous perforomances of Kathy Bates as Helen Givings, the real estate agent (and busy body) who sold the Wheelers their home and Michael Shannon as her deranged son John.

Revolutionary Road is a powerful film and makes us think about the choices we made in our lives. And while not on the level of such films dealing with marital disasters as Scenes from a Marriage and Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Revolutionary Road deserves to be seen.

So, check out both of these films.

Silent Light

Silent Light is the magnificent newish film from Mexican director Carlos Reygadas. While this film is not for everyone it is for people who don't mind lingering shots and films that take their time to unspool.

The story is a simple one. Johan (Cornelio Wall) is a Mexican Mennonite (the film is in the Plautdietsch language). He is a farmer and he has a wife named Esther (Miriam Toews) and many children. But Johan is in love with another woman - Marianne (Maria Pankratz). Adultery is something that is certainly forbidden in this community but Johan just can't help himself.

The film is just stunning to look at. Cinematographer Alexis Zabe does a stunning job of capturing this rural community. The opening shot is of daybreak and the closing shot is of nightfall. The actors are nonprofessionals and fine in their roles. Silent Light is about love, a loss of faith and redemption. It is a spiritual film. Visually the film reminded me a bit of Days of Heaven. And it's themes reminded me of Ingmar Bergman. In fact, I think that most people who love Bergman would love this film.

While I think that Silent Light is a brilliant film I cannot recommend it to everyone. My friend didn't care for it and found it slow moving. But if the description I gave you intrigues you then do go and see the film (and read more about it online). I hope that you have as an amazine cinematic experience as I did.

Critics Choice Winners

Best Comedy Movie: Tropic Thunder
Best Acting Ensemble: Milk
Best Young Actor/Actress: Dev Patel
Best Writer: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Action Film: The Dark Knight
Best Composer: A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Song: Bruce Springsteen, The Wrestler
Best Documentary: Man On Wire
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Best Foreign Language Film: Waltz With Bashir
Best Animated Feature: WALL·E
Best Movie Made for TV: John Adams
Best Actress: tie!!
Meryl Streep, Doubt; Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Best Actor: Sean Penn, Milk
Best Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Directors Guild of America Nominees

David Fincher, Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk

Writers Guild of America Nominations

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Burn After Reading, Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Focus Features

Milk, Written by Dustin Lance Black, Focus Features

Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Written by Woody Allen, The Weinstein Company

The Visitor, Written by Tom McCarthy, Overture Films

The Wrestler, Written by Robert Siegel, Fox Searchlight Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Screenplay by Eric Roth; Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord; Based on the Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures

The Dark Knight, Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer; Based on Characters Appearing in Comic Books Published by DC Comics; Batman Created by Bob Kane, Warner Bros. Pictures

Doubt, Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley, Based on his Stage Play, Miramax Films

Frost/Nixon, Screenplay by Peter Morgan, Based on his Stage Play, Universal Pictures

Slumdog Millionaire, Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, Based on the Novel Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Fox Searchlight Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story, Written by Stefan Forbes and Noland Walker, InterPositive Media

Chicago 10, Written by Brett Morgen, Roadside Attractions

Fuel, Written by Johnny O'Hara, Greenlight Theatrical / Intention Media

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, Screenplay by Alex Gibney, From the Words of Hunter S. Thompson, Magnolia Pictures

Waltz with Bashir, Written by Ari Folman, Sony Pictures Classics

DVD Mini Review - Under the Sun

Director Colin Nutley has created a wonderfully thoughtful romantic film with Under the Sun. The film takes place in rural Sweden. Olof (Rolf Lassgard) is a lonely farmer of about 40. He places an ad in the town newspaper for a housekeeper. But it seems like he might want more than just someone to cook and clean for him. When he sees Ellen's (Helena Bergstrom) picture with her letter he decides to take a chance on her.

Things go kind of routinely for a while but in time Olof and Ellen discover that they have feelings for each other. However, there is a thorn in their garden. Olof's best friend Erik (Johan Widerberg) is suspicious of Ellen. Or perhaps he is just plain jealous even though he has a girlfriend.

I won't tell you more about the plot. You will have to see the film for yourself to find out what happens. The film is well directed and well acted. It is beautifully shot and very sexy. The story has a lot of depth to it. Under the Sun is just the kind of romantic film that I love. Highly recommended to all of the romantics out there!

P.S. I forgot to mentione that the music was composed by Paddy Maloney of The Chieftans. So while the story takes place in Sweden we had wonderful Irish music in the background.

Producers Guild of American Nominees

Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight

Animated:
Wall-E
Bolt
Kung-Fu Panda

Documentary:
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water
Standard Operating Procedure

National Society of Film Critics Winners

Best Picture
“Waltz with Bashir”

Best Director
Mike Leigh, “Happy-Go-Lucky”

Best Actor
Sean Penn, “Milk”

Best Actress
Sally Hawkins, “Happy-Go-Lucky”

Best Supporting Actor
Eddie Marsan, “Happy-Go-Lucky”

Best Supporting Actress
Hanna Schygulla, “The Edge of Heaven”

Best Screenplay
“Happy-Go-Lucky”

Best Cinematography
“Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Non-Fiction Film
“Man on Wire”

Best Experimental Film
“Razzle Dazzle”