Category: Oscar Nominee

Posted on 2021-12-12 | No Comments |

Four Good Days (2020)

When her estranged drug-addicted daughter Mila Kunis once again shows up on her doorstep looking for help, mother Glenn Close tries to remain resilient against the lies, deceit, and hope that she has become all too familiar with over the years. While the story is a familiar one and feels a bit sometimes like it’s just going through the motions, the acting elevates the film. Close is a treasure, not pulling back on the array of emotions and turmoil her character experiences. Kunis isn’t afraid of portraying the ugly side of being a desperate and thoroughly addicted individual. Even Stephen Root offers a solid turn as Close’s current husband and an attempted voice of reason and support through the ordeal.

Oscar Nomination: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Posted on 2021-12-11 | No Comments |

It Happened On Fifth Avenue (1947) – Rewatch

When New York millionaire, Charles Ruggles, leaves the city for the winter, wandering drifter Victor Moore and his adorable dog move in. This year is different as Moore fills the house with others who are down on their luck, including a group of former soldiers and Ruggles’s entire estranged family. Ruggles and Ann Harding as his ex-wife provide quit a bit of heart where it’s apparent that they still have feelings for each other despite the other stuff getting in the way. There’s a bit of mistaken identity hijinks and some odd jumps in character tone, but overall it’s a sweet Christmastime tale where the Haves learn that perhaps the Have-Nots actually have more.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Original Story

Posted on 2021-12-11 | No Comments |

Bachelor Mother (1939) – Rewatch

In a case of mistaken identity, newly fired saleslady Ginger Rogers is presumed to be the mother of a foundling she helped save. Complicating the situation, her attractive former boss David Niven offers to give her her job back if she continues to care for the child he presumes is hers. There’s not a lot that screams Christmas about the film as it begins at the end of the holiday season, but it is a sweet little romance with more hijinks as presumed fathers emerge once it has been settled that Ginger is the mother.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Original Story

Posted on 2021-12-11 | No Comments |

Beyond the Lights (2014)

Pushed to success by her stage-mother Minnie Driver, Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s rising star begins to crash under the pressure of show business. Saving her from herself, even momentarily, is down-to-earth cop Nate Parker. It’s not a particularly new story nor does it end in anything but a thoroughly expected way. The leads are appealing with good chemistry; both of them capable at portraying the vulnerabilities necessary to make their characters believable.

Oscar Nomination: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Posted on 2021-12-10 | No Comments |

Blaze (1989)

Paul Newman is flamboyant Louisiana governor Earl Long, brother to the well known U.S. Senator Huey P. Long. He falls in love with stripper Blaze Starr, played by Lolita Davidovich, which proves to be his political downfall. The film is all over the place in tone, unsure if it wants to be about the comedic partnering of the mismatched pair or a serious look into civil rights and Southern political machinations. My usual adoration for Newman flatlined ins his relatively dull representation of Long, while I was impressed with Davidovich’s portrayal. Looking at photos of the real Starr, it seems Lolita encompassed her essence quite wonderfully.

Oscar Nomination: Best Cinematography

Posted on 2021-12-09 | No Comments |

Scrooged (1988) – Rewatch

Yet another version of A Christmas Carol, the enjoyment of this one lies in its clever ‘performance within a film’ premise and prime 1980s Bill Murray comedy. The ghost choices are wonderful and outperform Murray at every opportunity. I like the touches of adding Karen Allen as a love interest and the usually tiring Bobcat Goldthwaite as a disgruntled former employee. The bit of nepotism in casting two of Murray’s brothers makes sense here where they play relative roles. (Only nepotism explains John’s addition.) It has so many other amusing cameos and minor roles by well-known actors and celebrities, plus goddess Alfre Woodard in the much under-appreciated Bob Cratchit role.

Oscar Nomination: Best Makeup

Posted on 2021-12-09 | No Comments |

This Sporting Life (1963)

Richard Harris is a brutish, ambitious coal miner who is given a place on a local rugby team after impressing the team’s owner with his aggression. He’s an unlikable lout who assaults opposing players and attempts to rape his landlady. At the same time, no one treats him as anything more than a goon and a payday. I had a hard time relating to or finding interest in the hyper masculinity of the main character and the world he inhabits. It is obvious that Harris put much into the character, believably encompassing his roughness and belligerence.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actor in a Leading Role; Best Actress in a Leading Role

Posted on 2021-12-08 | No Comments |

Home Alone (1990) – Rewatch

Eight year old Macaulay Culkin is accidentally left at home while the rest of his extended family travel to France for Christmas. Making matters worse, there is a pair of burglars preying on any home in the neighborhood thought to be empty for the holidays. It does have some fantastic touches from the various coincidences that lead to Culkin being left home alone to the film within the film Angels with Filthy Souls to the inventive cast of characters to make the home seem occupied. While there’s plenty of humor for all ages, there’s quite a bit of the film that sits firmly in kid fantasy. It’s not a must watch for me each year, but it is next tier.

Oscar Nominations: Best Music, Original Song; Best Music, Original Score

Posted on 2021-12-08 | No Comments |

The Bishop’s Wife (1947) – Rewatch

David Niven is a bishop obsessed with plans for building an elaborate new cathedral, losing sight of his family and community in the meantime. To this enters angel Cary Grant, charming everyone he meets (except the bishop) and fixing their lives in multitudes of ways. Despite it’s stellar cast, this is only an occasional Christmas watch for me. I have a hard time carrying about the bishop’s dilemma and it’s a bit disconcerting to find the angel macking on the titular character played by Loretta Young even if her reciprocated feelings are understandable. In a somewhat unnecessary supporting role, Monty Wooley plays a professor who provides some words of guidance and a chance for Grant to display more of his angelic powers.

Oscar Win: Best Sound, Recording

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Film Editing; Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

Posted on 2021-12-07 | No Comments |

Lassie Come Home (1943)

Roddy McDowall’s family has fallen on hard times and sells Lassie to a nearby Duke who has always admired the dog. Lassie escapes time and again until the Duke ultimately takes her to Scotland and she must undertake a much longer journey to find her way home. I had watched this to again see the charming, young Elizabeth Taylor and she didn’t disappoint here albeit in a small role. What really makes the movie standout is Pal as Lassie and the dog’s heartbreaking journey to return to her family.

Oscar Nomination: Best Cinematography, Color