Category: Oscar Winner

Posted on 2022-03-31 | No Comments |

The Bolero (1973)/God Sleeps in Rwanda (2005)

The first half of The Bolero is a behind the scenes look on the Los Angeles Symphonic Orchestra’s preparations before performing Ravel’s famous work. The second half is an actual performance. I didn’t get much out of the preparation part, but the performance is quite fun. I love seeing the 1970s fashions, but also the presentation and framing of the performance is quite nifty and memorable.

God Sleeps in Rwanda follows the experiences of five women whose lives were irrevocably changed by the 1994 genocide. The stories presented are powerful and the strength and the courage of these women to rebuild their lives after the atrocities they faced is immeasurable. Unfortunately the production quality and depth of the stories is somewhat lacking for such a powerful subject matter.

Oscar Win: Best Short Subject, Live Action Films (The Bolero)

Oscar Nomination: Best Documentary, Short Subjects (God Sleeps in Rwanda)

Posted on 2022-03-26 | No Comments |

Three Songs for Benazir (2021)/The Windshield Wiper (2021)

Three Songs for Benazir is an interesting documentary short about a young married couple living in a displaced persons camp in Kabul. The husband Shaista dreams of joining the Afghan National Army but his elder’s rejection of the idea means his life takes a drastically different turn. The film maintains a delicate touch by simply following the participants over the course of a number of years with no commentary except the actions of the subjects themselves.

The Windshield Wiper poses the question ‘what is love?’ through a series of otherwise unrelated vignettes. I didn’t love the aesthetic of the animation style on this one and find it rather ugly visually. The question is a bit pretentious to begin with and the film doesn’t even bother going anywhere in answering the question.

Oscar Win: Best Animated Short Film (The Windshield Wiper)

Oscar Nomination: Best Documentary Short Subject (Three Songs for Benazir)

Posted on 2022-03-18 | No Comments |

The Power of the Dog (2021)

In 1920s Montana, ranchers Jesse Plemons meets and marries widowed inn owner Kirsten Dunst, much to the chagrin of his abusive brother Benedict Cumberbatch. During the summer, Dunst’s son Kodi Smit-McPhee visits the ranch and also endures Cumberbatch’s abuse but overtime finds common ground with the rancher. Not being a fan of Jane Campion nor really of Westerns, I didn’t have high expectations of going in, but I came away quite impressed. There’s a long interwoven tale here of shifting power dynamics, sexuality, and gender roles that slowly reveals itself and doesn’t become clear until its final moments, and maybe not even then. The performances are strong across the board and play against each other in incredible ways.

Oscar Win: Best Achievement in Directing

Oscar Nominations: Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Motion Picture of the Year; Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2); Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role; Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Achievement in Production Design; Best Sound; Best Achievement in Cinematography; Best Achievement in Film Editing; Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)

Posted on 2022-03-18 | No Comments |

Encanto (2021)

Mirabel Madrigal is the only member of her multigenerational Colombian family who was not bestowed a special talent as a child. On the day her younger cousin Antonio receives his gift, Mirabel notices that the Madrigal’s magical home seems to be cracking at the seams and she’s determined to find out why. Like Raya and the Dragon before it, this film is beautifully animated with even more gorgeous backgrounds and details. Unfortunately Mirabel isn’t a particularly inspirational main character and many of the other family members would have made more appealing leads. I like Stephanie Beatriz as an actress, but her voice does not come across anywhere near that of a teenager. The soundtrack is apparently very popular, but didn’t work organically within the movie for me. Instead the songs feel like they were made for an eventual stage production than this animated film. Both the build up and the resolution of the main conflict are a bit muddied, but I do like the concepts of familial pressures and magical gifts even if some of those were a bit duds in terms of usefulness.

Oscar Win: Best Animated Feature Film

Oscar Nominations: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score); Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Posted on 2022-03-17 | No Comments |

Summer of Soul (2021)

During the summer of 1969, the Harlem Cultural Festival, a series of six concerts held in the then Mount Morris Park, became known as the Black Woodstock as a counterpart to that other musical festival taking place the same year. Featuring a wide range of artists such as Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, the Fifth Dimension, and Nina Simone, filmed footage of the concerts were not seen by the general public since that year. The treatment of the footage is very similar to other concert films I have watched recently, namely Soul Power and Wattstax, with the power of the performances being interrupted by talking head interviews. The interviews here do include reflections from people who were actually at the event which gives context to what it means in modern times to the communities represented but I would love to see more of the performers. The glimpse at fashions and styles of the time are great; I want to recreate the Brady Bunch-esque stage background somewhere in my house.

Oscar Win: Best Documentary Feature

Posted on 2022-03-11 | No Comments |

The Great Lie (1941)

When his marriage to Mary Astor is deemed invalid, George Brent returns to old flame Bette Davis. Unfortunately Mary got pregnant during their short time together, a fact that does not become clear until George disappeared during a business trip to Brazil. It’s a weird far-fetched plot, but well acted all around particularly during the scenes between the two women. I was glad to see two McDaniel siblings, Hattie and Sam, in larger, interacting roles, though of course they’re both still servants.

Oscar Win: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Posted on 2022-03-09 | No Comments |

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)

On the verge of retirement, captain John Wayne is ordered to have his men escort two women, Mildred Natwick and Joanna Dru, to a stagecoach travelling back East while also being on the lookout for Cheyenne and Arapaho, riled after Custer’s defeat. This is very standard Western fare that took me quite a long time to get through. The various young men, two vying for the affections of Dru, all came across as interchangeable to me. Victor McLaglen does provide some welcome comic relief from the dull proceedings. I also enjoyed the small presence of Natwick, though wish more had been done with her role.

Oscar Win: Best Cinematography, Color

Posted on 2022-03-07 | No Comments |

King Richard (2021)

Will Smith is Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams. The film conveys the eldest Williams as a thoroughly complex character: a determined, obsessive, arrogant, loving, helicopter parent with one singular goal. It’s an interesting look into how to raise a champion, or two, especially when the odds are against you. While he doesn’t disappear completely into the character, Smith does offer a fairly good portrayal of the man.

Oscar Win: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Oscar Nominations: Best Motion Picture of the Year; Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Achievement in Film Editing; Best Original Screenplay; Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Posted on 2022-03-06 | No Comments |

Here Comes the Groom (1951)

Recently returned to Boston, reporter Bing Crosby must get married in five days or lose custody of the two orphans he has adopted. Unfortunately Jane Wyman, the woman he’s hoping to marry, has become engaged to Franchot Tone in his absence. Crosby’s character isn’t easy to root for and the songs are mostly unnecessary, but mixed into that is some good, often slapsticky, humor. I wish it had taken a different turn in the end, but otherwise it’s a fun, lighthearted diversion.

Oscar Win: Best Music, Original Song

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Motion Picture Story

Posted on 2022-03-04 | No Comments |

Butterflies are Free (1972)

When blind musician Edward Albert meets his new neighbor, free-spirited Goldie Hawn, the two hit it off almost immediately. He’s impressed by her independence and she admires his adaptability. Complicating their newfound relationship is her inability to stick around when things get tough and his overbearing mother who is apprehensive about giving him more freedom. The two leads are appealing in their roles and play off of each other well. It’s a bit stagey as the action takes place almost entirely in his San Francisco apartment, but the large open space, decorated by the previous hippie tenants, provides plenty of area to keep it from getting stale.

Oscar Win: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Oscar Nominations: Best Cinematography; Best Sound