Well here we are with another year of film behind us and another Academy Awards broadcast tonight. Every year I write this I need to provide a reminder: the Academy Awards are not important as an indicator of quality or the end all be all of a film’s worth. These are fun awards and it’s nice when a film you love wins, but in the end this really only effects the person who won and any future projects they work on – the films (nominated or not) are not changed, so the work stands on its own after today. This is all a preamble of me proving that I’ve spent too much time thinking about these awards, but it’s more of a fun political guessing game than a competition of quality. If you’d like my thoughts on the overall quality of film this year and my personal favorites – click here. With that out of the way I can now say how excited I am because there are some amazing films nominated and likely winning awards tonight. Not only that, but there’s actually suspense in some major categories, including best picture, best director, and lead actor. I have never had such a difficult time predicting winners which is really interesting and should make for a fun show. As for my predictions themselves? Probably ok, not great. In a lot of places my personal favorite is probably a safe second place bet (mostly with "Whiplash"), but guess what – I predicted it anyways because there’s a bit of hope-dicting going on. There could be some major surprises since relatively few categories are utter locks so I’ll always predict and pull for my favorites – it’d be nice to get it all right but in the end I do this as an excuse to talk about some films I love, so if they have a chance I’m going to lean in that direction. This is already too long – just like the show undoubtedly will be – so enjoy!
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The Oscar-nominated Mauritanian film ‘Timbuktu’ provides a view of the 2012 takeover of the titular Malian city by a radical Islam group. Through the dramatization of these events, director Abderrahmane Sissako touches on an investigation of the different actions taken by those who claim to be serving the same God as well as the hypocrisy of tyranny - but really shines a light on the ordinary lives affected by the infiltration. A beautifully heartbreaking film, ‘Timbuktu’ starts off slowly but once it introduces its less radical characters’ everyday problems it really soars.
Well, this is much later than I wanted – but here are my favorite films of 2014. I’ll skip the introduction of the year overall as the themes clearly come out in the films listed. Remember these are not the best films, but merely my favorites – the ones that struck me at the time and have continued to stay with me since I’ve seen them. The reason it's 12 is because I found excuses to do that the past 2 years running, so why not make it a CineMcCord tradition? 12) The Lego Movie Phil Lord & Chris Miller have further solidified themselves as the saviors of terrible premises by creating a hilarious & inspiring film with only the titular interlocking brick toys to build on (sorry, but hilarious wordplay seemed appropriate). To craft a story that feels relevant to the nature of Legos and in a lot of ways criticizes the company’s modern strategy that bows to licensing and pre-planned sets was a stroke of genius that provided one of the better comedic screenplays in recent memory. Even the need to tie-in the endless licensing available to them didn’t hurt the film, even finding a way to bring a wholly original Batman to life. Fun, fun, fun & a surprising third act made this February surprise stick with me all year. I’m very skeptical that the impending sequels & spin-offs can come close to these heights, but who would have thought we’d have even one good, let alone great, Lego movie? 11) The One I Love A fascinating love story about what happens when a relationship begins to fall apart and a couple finds a fantastical experience while trying to save their marriage. It’s great that the characters immediately discuss the abnormal circumstances that appear on their prescribed marriage retreat, allowing the film to explore a sci-fi trope with striking emotional reality. Compromises are made, grievances are aired, moral quandaries are explored and relationships are dissected in this very original take on marital dysfunction. Too often audiences can easily outsmart the characters in similar films, but this proves the opposite is also possible, with a plot that stays ahead of you through the end. 10) Begin Again Begin Again might be a case study for me on the power of lowered expectations. I wasn’t sure I would ever watch this film, but when I finally did I wasn’t expecting to be charmed in way few movies can. Begin Again shares a lot with writer/director John Carney’s ‘Once’ as a quasi-musical centered on the platonic relationship of a male/female duo. Celebrating not only music but also New York City’s musical atmosphere brings this relatively simple story of a producer’s redemption to life. Mark Ruffalo and Kiera Knightley are perfectly cast, playing to the endearingly cynical strengths of both, with a very strong supporting cast helping out. Like a lot of other films this year (and on this list), ‘Begin Again’ follows characters who love music and celebrates that. 9) Winter Sleep A darkly funny & philosophical film from Turkey, Winter Sleep follows a wealthy, generous man as he gets pulled into more details of his seemingly accidental philanthropic habits. Reviewing relationships with poor tenants, a recently divorced sister, a young wife and her male friend who is poor but more understanding and generous with his time, the aging man begins to realize he may not be as appreciated as he believes he should be. As a 3 ½ hour, but well paced film, Winter Sleep gives its characters the opportunity to discuss heavy topics such as the nature of evil in extended scenes that let some incredible performances breathe. A tense finale brings new life to his wife and shows the true nature of the relationship – proving that everyone is trying to be nice, but is a little too proud to expect absolutely nothing in return. 8) Force Majeure Another darkly funny foreign film - this one from Sweden - Force Majeure tackles themes of human nature and self-preservation. We all like to think we would do the noble thing & help others (especially family) in a moment of extreme danger, but what would happen if that instinct was tested and we failed? As an exploration of these effects on one man and his family while on a ski trip in the French Alps, Force Majeure is one of the most uncomfortably honest films I saw last year. To also mine humor out of this situation is a delicate balance, but through the father’s denial, reactions by friends and a subtle judgment on masculinity/societal expectations this film provides many cringe-worthy laughs while causing us to reflect on ourselves. 7) Inherent Vice I’m very happy I read Thomas Pynchon’s novel before seeing this film, but I will forever be curious of how much it impacted my reaction to the film. This is a weird, funny, distracted (not meandering) and fascinating film unlike almost anything I have ever seen. Paul Thomas Anderson brought the spirit of Pynchon and his Doc Sportello to every piece of this film, allowing his drug-fueled haze and paranoia to subvert expectations of what a film should do. Maybe I loved it because I could still fill in some of the plot mechanics, but it’s an amazing feat of performances, humor, thrill, and especially tone that will only improve with age. Whether seen as a series of unforgettable characters or simply brilliant scenes, there is too much here to be unpacked in a single viewing and this is the one I'm sure I'll regret not placing higher on this list. |
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