Initial reactions to the Oscar Nominations

Now that the Oscar nominations have been announced, I'm surprised by some of the nominations, both good and bad. Here are few I would like to point out:

1) Christopher Nolan (Director) - This is the biggest snub in my opinion. The fact that he was able to have four story lines going on at once and have it all work is astounding. I believe he should not only be nominated but should also win. I don't see why David O. Russell deserved a nomination over Nolan.

2) Danny Boyle (Director) - He was able to make a movie about a guy with his arm stuck exciting and interesting. Some of the most memorable camera angles used this year (straw camera and inside the arm camera).

3) Daft Punk (Score) - While I watched Tron Legacy, I found myself missing the music when it wasn't playing. When it was, it felt like a music video. 

4) Andrew Garfield (Supporting actor) - He provided the passion and emotion the film needed since the Zuckerberg character was so cold and emotionless. He did a great job and deserved a nomination.

5) The Social Network (Visual Effects) - The single best special effect this year was the twins from the Social Network. Most people don't even know that it was played by one person. The best effects are ones that you don't notice.

I do think there were some pleasant suprises:

1) How to Train You Dragon (Score) - A fantastic classic style score in a field or electronic and alternative scores. 

2) Coen Brothers (Direction) - They haven't received much recognition for one of the best westerns in years.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the nominations, although it is easier when they can nominate 10 films for best picture. I have a couple of films to see before the Oscars air, like Blue Valentine and a couple of the documentaries. Congratulations to the nominees this year. Let's just hope they don't screw up who wins.

My Favorite Movies of 2010

So the time has come to make my list of the top 10 movies from 2010. For a year when there was quite a bit of disappointment, there were quite a few movies that were fantastic. Without further ado, here is my top 10:

1) The Social Network – No film this year had a better script than this one.  Bravo Aaron Sorkin! The speed which they talked and the verbal sparing that happened was like watching a fight with words. David Fincher is a master of the intro credits (see Se7en and Fight Club) and this has the same amazing credit sequence. The rowing scene was also shot in a very inventive way.

2) Black Swan –Natalie Portman delivers the best leading female performance of the year is this dark thriller. Darren Aronofsky shows off his talent in direction by putting the audience in the mind of someone going crazy.  I felt like I was going crazy along with Nina and not just watching her.

3) Inception – Just what I needed in the middle of a summer of busts. Some of the most memorable scenes of the year and in this film (Hallway fight, city folding onto itself, and the top spinning at the end). I love how it made you think after the film and I was still piecing it together the next day. Christopher Nolan was the best director of the year for me with how he was able to pull off multiple dream layers without losing the audience.

4) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – Anyone that grew up on video games, comic books, and music needs to see this movie. There are references to them throughout the movie and it’s so cleverly done.  I had more fun watching this movie than any other this year.

5) Toy Story 3 – What an emotional ride this movie was! It had such funny parts (the tortilla man and Spanish Buzz come to mind) and so sad (the incinerator scene and the end when the toys are given away).  Pixar doing what they do best, making movies that emotionally connect to the audience.

6) 127 Hours – James Franco deserves an Oscar for this leading male performance. The whole movie relied on his portrayal as he is really the only one in the movie and he pulled it off in spades. I love Danny Boyle’s direction as well.  The camera in the straw was brilliant.

7) How to Train Your Dragon – Hands down, the best 3-D movie of the year. I’ve never had a sensation of flying like I did in this movie.  Dreamworks stepped up and delivered a movie to rival Pixar. If you’ve ever owned a pet, you need to see this movie.

8) The Town – One of the best heist movies I’ve scene. Ben Affeck has become a better director then he ever was as an actor.

9) Catfish – The best documentary I saw this year.  It tells the story of modern day relationships and how the internet affects them. The scene where they went to visit his girlfriend for the first time is the most tense scene I saw this year. My heart was pounding out of my chest.

10) Kickass – A movie that slid under the radar. It is the comic book movie I always wanted. Hitgirl is one of my favorite characters of the year.

There are a few others that deserve to be mentioned:

True Grit – The Coen Brothers doing what they do best. Great dialog.

Easy A – The best comedy of the year.

The Fighter – Christian Bale delivers the best supporting male performance of the year and Amy Adams as well is the best supporting female performance.

Shutter Island – Scorsese…enough said.

Exit Through the Gift Shop – A great documentary that changes as you watch it. I don’t want to spoil anything so just go watch it. It is on Netflix instant.

It was a great year in cinema and I had a blast watching all these films. Even though we had some bad movies, the cream rose to the top.  Did I leave any off the list that were your favorites?  I hope I peaked your curiosity enough to go see some of the movies you may have missed.  I highly recommend all of these fillms and hope you enjoy them as well.

2011 New Year's Resolutions

Oh 2010, what a year its been! I went back to school at Saint Louis University to finish my degree and that has taken most of my free time. It has been a rewarding experience and I now know that I was always meant to be a billiken.

There has been some great movies in 2010, especially starting with Social Network and going through the end of the year.  I will do my obligatory top 10 list later this week. There has also been some not so great movies (I'm looking at you all summer movies besides Inception).

With the start of a new year, we all reflect on where our lives have gone and set goals for what we would like to do and be. So without further ado, here are mine for 2011:

1) Read more - Since I got a Kindle last year, I've developed a love for reading I have never had before. I've read some good books in 2010 but I want to to read more and watch less meaningless reality TV (However, the Bachelor, Top Chef, and Jersey Shore, I can't quit you).

2) Make the dean's list and honors society - I should qualify for the dean's list after my last semester. I want to continue to make the list each semester and join Alpha Sigma Lambda, which is the national honor society at SLU.

3) Do another triathlon - In 2009, I competed in 2 olympic length triathlons and really enjoyed the challenge. Due to the time I spent on my studies, I didn't have time to train in 2010. This year I would like to get back in "tri-shape" and compete in at least one triathlon.

4) Take more pictures - Over the last couple of years, I've enjoyed improving my photographic eye. I want to get better at composition and the only way to do this is to shoot more.  

5) Start a blog and write more - This starts today with this post. I really enjoy the social interaction of twitter and writing reviews of my favorite things (movies, TV, books, and video games). This blog will allow me the freedom to expound on my ideas and feelings that 140 characters doesn't.

I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew this year. I'd rather try to do do much than watch life pass by.  I recommend making some goals, writing them down, and sharing them with the people close to do.  This will make you accountable for them.  You have a new year, a blank slate to work on. Create something!