Life Of Pi

Life Of Pi

Directed by Ang Lee

Though Life Of Pi is a unique film and features some wonderful visuals, I don't feel it, as a whole, has much more than that to offer.

Lincoln

Lincoln

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Great acting, set design and overall production value may make Lincoln a fantastic period piece, but the extremely biased script and bland direction only serves to make it a severely lacking biographical drama.

Elena

Elena

Directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev

There is very little to be said about Elena. It doesn't have many strong suits, nor does it have many weaknesses -- apart from blandness. It's just a movie. One that isn't very good.

End Of Watch

End Of Watch

Directed by David Ayer

Being that this is directed by the screenwriter of "Training Day", I can't say I am too surprised at the similarities is has with this. The only difference is that I actually liked End Of Watch. Quite a lot.

Holy Motors

Holy Motors

Directed by Leos Carax

I am slightly torn on how I feel about this Holy Motors: do I love it, or do I really love it?

Killer Joe

Killer Joe

Directed by William Friedkin

Despite the general grimy, sleaziness of almost every aspect of this movie, there is a certain appeal to the incredibly graphic Killer Joe: I'm just not quite sure what it is yet.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Directed by Lorene Scafaria

A bizarre, touching, and sometimes hilarious movie with a strangely clashing concept, Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World is fun, but leaves me quite conflicted.

Best Actor Oscar Predictions: 2012-2013

1. Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln



Chance of nomination: 100%

This isn't even a question, he will get a nomination. And half of me says he will even win it. The only thing stopping him from being a lock for the victory, is the fact that no-one has ever won 3 Best Actor trophies before, and Daniel Day-Lewis already has 2. Will the Academy allow the greatest actor alive to make history? It's possible, and at this point, definitely a more likely answer than anyone else.

Chance of winning: 50%

Best Picture Oscar Predictions: 2012-2013

The title explains it all. These are my first "official" Best Picture predictions.

1. Argo

Chance of nomination: 100%

The question is not whether or not it will be nominated, but whether or not it will win. It's hard to tell at this point, but I would say it stands a decent chance, assuming it doesn't lose steam once Oscar voting begins. I certainly wouldn't complain if it took it all.

Chance of winning: 30%

Hope Springs

Hope Springs

Directed by David Frankel

It seems Meryl Streep has found a new pastime: when she isn't off winning awards, she makes dirty movies for old people. Hope Springs may be at times quite entertaining, but it is effectively just that.

Top 10 Male performances of the last 5 years

HOW THIS WORKS:

Same as my list of the Top 10 Movies of the last 5 years, this list does NOT include movies from 2007. And, as is the case with any list I make, I in no way claim to hold some superior opinion that makes this list even slightly definitive. Even in my mind, I feel the exact order of this list could change at any moment, so try not to place too much value in the exact placing of items on this post. That would be silly.

Are you ready? Because I'm not.

Skyfall

Skyfall

Directed by Sam Mendes

Skyfall, one of my most highly anticipated movies of the year, doesn't quite live up to the hype, but is nonetheless an excellent action movie with a few twists on the Bond formula.

Lockout

Lockout

Directed by Luc Besson

Unbelievably stupid, generic, poorly-written, and poorly-devised, Lockout is sci/fi action at its worst.

Seven Psychopaths

Seven Psychopaths

Directed by Martin McDonagh

With a fine script, a pair of excellent performances, and enough great dialogue to keep it fun, Seven Psychopaths may not deliver on as many levels as it was intended to, but still provides some great entertainment.

Red Lights

Red Lights

Directed by Rodrigo Cortés

Despite a truly intresting first act with great potential, Red Lights swiftly follows up with a disappointing second half, devolving into a series of lazy cliches and generic plot devices.

Safety Not Guaranteed

Safety Not Guaranteed

Directed by Colin Trevorrow

Funny, charming, unique, and thoroughly entertaining, Safety Not Guaranteed is everything an indie comedy could ever hope to be.

Argo

Argo

Directed by Ben Affleck

Successfully blending suspense, comedy, and dramatic elements to perfection, Argo is one of the few undeniably great movies I've seen from this year.

Top 10 Movies of the last 5 years

Seeing as how I've become lazy with my reviewing lately, I feel it may be time to start a little writing again. Only, this time, it will be making a list. To avoid confusion, I feel I should explain that the title of this post is slightly misleading. I did not include any movies from 2007 on this list, though movies from November onward would technically fit within that range. I just said "5 years" because it looks better than "2008 - present".

So, with that out of the way, my list can move forward. But first, an obligatory picture of a film reel.

Sinister

Sinister

Directed by Scott Derrickson

A flwed but wholly creepy, interesting horror movie with a strong central performance by Ethan Hawke and plenty of scares.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Directed by John Madden

With an excellent cast and great dialogue, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is not the kind of movie I would expect to electrify audiences, but is nonetheless very easy to find yourself enjoying immensely, despite the over-long running time.

John Carter

John Carter

Directed by Andrew Stanton

Lifeless, generic, and uninteresting: the three words I would use to describe John Carter. Was this really the same guy who directed 'Finding Nemo'?

The Hunter

The Hunter

Directed by Daniel Nettheim

With strong visuals, performances, and an intriguing story, poor writing and lack of payoff makes The Hunter nothing more than a wasted opportunity.

Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie

Directed by Tim Burton

With wonderful animation, surprising emotional resonance, fun characters, and packed with clever references, Frankenweenie is one of the most entertaining, fulfilling movies I've had the pleasure of watching for some time.

Bernie

Bernie

Directed by Richard Linklater

With adequate casting, snappy dialogue, and very unique presentation, Bernie is one of the best films Richard Linklater has made for some time.

Oslo, August 31st

Oslo, August 31st

Directed by Joachim Trier

At this point in the year, though it may not be my "favorite", Oslo, August 31st still stands as the most powerful, incredible piece of film-making I have seen in 2012.

Looper

Looper

Directed by Rian Johnson

Though it may not make much sense, and the casting is a bit strange, Looper manages to impress with fantastic action sequences, strong performances, and genuine originality.

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom

With charming lead performances, a fun script, and good pacing, Salmon Fishing In The Yemen is a steadily enjoyable, heart-warming, lighthearted film with very little to offer apart from solid entertainment.