My Stand Up Set from UBCO's ASA Talent Show

Normally I don't work too hard on my promoting my stand up career on here, because it's a movie blog and I tend to want it to stay that way, but I thought I'd share my set from the recent Asian Student Association Talent Show I performed at (and won). So enjoy, laugh, and start coming to my fucking shows guys.

Ten Most Anticipated Movies of 2014 (5-1)

I figured since it's already March and we're finally getting through the dog shit of the movie calender (minus movies like The Lego Movie, which are awesome), it's time to look ahead to what the rest of the year holds. I'm excited for a lot of movies this year, whether it's from directors I love, or actors or because I'm an emotionally crippled man who finds solace in the make believe of handsome people.

You'll notice my omission of movies like Enemy and The Grand Budapest Hotel. This is probably puzzling because if you know me, you know I can't wait to see them. However, they are both out in theatres now, so I'll see them shortly, so I figured I'd leave them off. Click right over HERE to see my picks for #10-6. Time for the top five.

5. A Most Violent Year

Oscar Isaac in A Most Violent Year

In all honesty, I know very little about this movie beside the people involved. And that's good enough for me. IMDb tells me that it's about an immigrant in 1981 New York City (apparently one of the most statistically violent years recorded) and his attempts to build his business despite corruption, violence and social decay. That sounds pretty fucking awesome, and being written and directed by JC Chandor, who has directed the criminally overlooked All Is Lost and Margin Call, this is instantly something I look at as being an awards contender.

Not to mention the cast involved in this. At the top of the list is Oscar Isaac, who has proven he's a hell of a fine actor with strong performances in Drive and Inside Llewyn Davis. He's going to be a household name sooner or later, and if he keeps finding challenging work, then it will be sooner. Just to give you an idea of how meaty this role is, Javier Bardem was originally slated to star. Joining him are Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo and his Drive co-star Albert Brooks. No trailer to speak of yet.

Release Date: November 12

4. Foxcatcher

Steve Carell and Channing Tatum in Foxcatcher

This movie looks so awesome. It's being directed by Bennett Miller, who is apparently just fantastic at directing true stories, the director of Capote and Moneyball. The story behind the movie is almost too odd to be true, but about a rich schizophrenic millionaire who opens an Olympic training facility called The Foxcatcher, and allows two brothers to train there. Things take a turn for the worse when paranoia sets in and egos and personalities clash.

I'm curious about seeing Steve Carell in this movie, because it is a purely dramatic role, and pictures and early leaked trailers of the film show off a complete physical transformation, and has a constant air of dread in his performance, which is coming across as something we've never seen from him. He's joined by an equally committed Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum (who I think is a far better actor than given credit for), Vanessa Redgrave, Sienna Miller and Anthony Michael Hall. It was a bit ominous that the film was slated to come out prime Oscar season last year, only to get pushed to 2014 at the last minute. Still, everything surrounding this movie has me eagerly waiting to see it.

Release Date: TBA 2014

3. Godzilla

Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug as Godzilla

Honestly, I wasn't really all that excited for this movie even a few months ago. I probably would have seen it, but hadn't thought I NEEDED to see it. Then the trailers started coming out, and nerds everywhere collectively showed their boners. I honestly don't care if it's the best movie around, it looks so cool. It's also being directed by Gareth Edwards, who directed Monsters, and he's shown he understands how to create a character based movie that also involves monsters. And the sense of dread he is able to create can be cut with a knife. Plus, Godzilla looks like he's ready to fuck shit up. And not be a mom or whatever that Matthew Broderick turd wanted to do. Seriously, that movie was awful.

Speaking of which, can we look at the cast in this? Okay, you've got your charismatic young lead in Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but then you put Bryan "I am the danger" Cranston in this too? Seriously, Cranston has proven, with Breaking Bad, that he can act the hell out of any script. Add to that you've Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olson, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn and Sally Hawkins and you've got me hooked. And once again, Godzilla just looks super cool in this.

Release Date: May 16

2. Gone Girl

Batfleck in Gone Girl

Okay, so let's take a really well written smart novel in Gone Girl. Now let's take one of the most prolific and unique directors working right now in David Fincher and get him to work with an actor who has made quite the comeback in Ben Affleck and you've got something I want to see. I've read Gone Girl, and while I saw Nick being played by someone like Jake Gyllenhaal or even Casey Affleck, I think Ben will do a good job. And heaven knows I'll see anything with David Fincher's stamp on it. Considering my undying love for Fight Club, along with Se7en, The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, I think this kind of material is ripe to be Fincher'd up.

The cast is intriguing to, as the leads are being played by Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, who are both excellent actors in their own right, especially Pike who has never really gotten the chance to shine. Add to a cast that includes Scoot McNairy, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry (I'm assuming he's not Madea in this, and therefore not the Gone Girl), Patrick Fugit and Kim Dickens, and I'm lining up mentally to see this already. I wonder if there'll be a moment when it turns out Rosamund Pike is Tyler Durden. No trailer for this yet though.

Release Date: October 3

1. Interstellar

Arms and a shuttle in Interstellar

It's honestly baffling to me that Christopher Nolan has never been nominated for a Best Director Oscar. Both The Dark Knight and Inception are movies that I think only he could have pulled off, and he's one of the only directors around who can take a big budget and use it well. He's also ambitious, which is what makes me so excited for Interstellar, because despite the idea of being about space exploration, it still feels very character focused, which is what made Inception the movie it was. And I will fight anyone that says The Dark Knight isn't a masterpiece. I know that has nothing to do with anything, but seriously, I will.

So it's about space travel, done by a brilliant director and let's just take a second to look at this cast. First off, even the supporting cast is filled to the brim with talent. Casey Affleck, Jessica Chastain, Anne Hatheway, John Lithgow, Michael Caine, Wes Bentley, Matt Damon Ellen Burstyn, David Oyelowo and Topher Grace. Then it's being led by my favourite actor right now, Matthew McConaughey. He's fresh off an Oscar win and the triumph that is True Detective, and now he's gonna be in this. I wonder if the space travel is about him trying to catch himself 10 years from now?

Release Date: November 7

So there it is. Now we wait for these movies to come out. Hooray for magic moving picture art. Until next time! 

Ten Most Anticipated Movies of 2014 (10-6)

I figured since it's already March and we're finally getting through the dog shit of the movie calender (minus movies like The Lego Movie, which are awesome), it's time to look ahead to what the rest of the year holds. I'm excited for a lot of movies this year, whether it's from directors I love, or actors or because I'm an emotionally crippled man who finds solace in the make believe of handsome people.

You'll notice my omission of movies like Enemy and The Grand Budapest Hotel. This is probably puzzling because if you know me, you know I can't wait to see them. However, they are both out in theatres now, so I'll see them shortly, so I figured I'd leave them off. So let's start with some honourable mentions, then get to the actual movies, shall we?

Honourable Mentions

Boyhood

Directed by Richard Linklater

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette

Release Date: July 11 (UK)

22 Jump Street

Directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller

Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Nick Offerman, Peter Stormare, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle

Release Date: June 13

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Directed by Matt Reeves

Cast: Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Andy Serkis, Keri Russell, Judy Greer
Release Date: July 11

Transcendence

Directed by Wally Pfister

Cast: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy, Kate Mara

Release Date: April 17

The Drop

Directed by Michael R. Roskam

Cast: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts

Release Date: September 19

A Most Wanted Man

Directed by Anton Corbijn

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright, Daniel Bruhl

Release Date: TBA 2014

Only Lovers Left Alive

Directed by Jim Jarmusch

Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Anton Yelchin, Jeffrey Wright, John Hurt, Mia Wasikowska

Release Date: April 11

#10 Neighbors

Zac Efron and Dave Franco in Neighbors

The main reason I am excited for this movie is the involvement of Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, who have written Superbad, Pineapple Express and This Is The End together. Putting domesticated new parents next door to a frat house looks like shenanigans waiting to happen. While Rogen looks like he's gonna be doing his usual thing, I really want to see how far Dave Franco, Hannibal Burress, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jake Johnson, and Craig Roberts are pushed for the sake of comedy, as we all know Rogen and Goldberg will ask their actors to do anything.

I've also heard that Rose Byrne is the highlight of this movie, as she really goes all out for it. But I'm curious about Zefron, personally. We've seen him pretty successfully get away from his Disney past and branch out into adult fare, but not quite able to make it as a leading man, despite his looks. I've always wanted him to play the role he looks like he was born to play, in a fratty douchebag. Oh, and the involvement of Nicholas Stoller, director of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, is certainly nothing to scoff at. The only reason I'm anticipating this more than 22 Jump Street is the fact that it's much more of a risk, because I'm pretty sure that movie will be fucking hilarious.

Release Date: May 9

#9 Calvary

Brendan Gleeson and Chris O'Dowd in Calvary

I'm really looking forward to this movie because I love Brendan Gleeson, who is one of the most underrated actors working right now, and John Michael McDonough won me over with The Guard. Reteaming with his lead actor from the aforementioned movie, it's about a priest who is told in confession that he will be killed, and about him trying to figure out who will kill him and why. 

While The Guard was a dark comedy, like In Bruges (which also starred Gleeson and was written and directed by John's brother Martin McDonough), this gives off a much more dramatic feel, and that should allow Gleeson to really show how good of an actor he is. But that's not to discount the amazing cast in this movie such as Chris O'Dowd, Aiden Gillen, Kelly Reilly, Domhall Gleeson (Brendan's son), and Dylan Moran. Frankly, this should probably be way higher up on my list, but who cares?

Release Date: August 1

#8 Inherent Vice

Joaquin Phoenix on the set of Inherent Vice

You can't have a top ten list for anything without Paul Thomas Anderson somehow factoring into it somehow. Known for making incredibly gripping dramatic films such as Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood and The Master, he looks like he's going back to what worked well in the little seen Punch Drunk Love. Still, if he can bring what he usually does to movies, I'll be there opening weekend. Based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Pychon, it follows a drug fueled detective trying to solve the disappearance of a former girlfriend. And it's a comedy.

With a cast like this though, everyone should be lining up to see this damn thing. With Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, Maya Rudolph and Martin Short, I literally have no idea what to expect from this movie. Josh Brolin said he's never worked on something quite like this, so that's pretty cool. The only real thing this movie will be lacking is Philip Seymour Hoffman yelling "PIG FUCK!" But otherwise, let's buckle up. Unfortunately, there are no stills from the movie or any trailers yet.

Release Date: Decemeber 12

#7 Fury

Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Brad Pitt, John Bernthal and Shia LaBeouf on a tank

Written and directed by David Ayer, this movie could either be totally awesome, or complete garbage. The reason why I think it could be the former is because he also wrote and directed End of Watch, which was one of my favourite movies of 2012, and boasted award worthy performances from Michael Pena and Jake Gyllenhaal, and a truly visceral and honest story. The reason it could possibly be garbage is because Ayer also wrote and directed Street Kings, the melodramatic turd starring Keanu Reeves. 

But another thing that is in favour of this movie being good is the fact that it has Brad Pitt at the head, who is fairly notorious for being picky when it comes to scripts, and as we know, is a phenomenal actor. It also has Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs, Shia LaBeouf and End of Watch co-lead Michael Pena. It's about a five man crew, led by Pitt's character, who take a Sherman tank behind enemy lines to complete a dangerous strike mission in Nazi Germany. Also, Pitt's character is called Wardaddy. No trailer yet.

Release Date: November 14

#6 Guardians of the Galaxy

Gamora, Starlord, Rocket Raccoon, Drax the Destroyer and Groot

It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of Marvel movies lately, not because they aren't good, but mostly because they all feel like the same cookie cutter format, like one extended movie, with the same tone and plots. That's what makes me most excited about Guardians of the Galaxy, because it feels like the first time Marvel has taken a risk making a movie since Iron Man. Directed by James Gunn, the tone of this movie feels like a mixture between Indiana Jones, Aliens and whatever other movie has had a talking raccoon. 

The big draws for me are the humour that is so clearly evident in the script, and the fact that the cast is led by Chris Pratt, who I have a huge man crush on. This movie just looks like a ton of fun, with the other Guardians being played by Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, there's bound to be some great moments. Also, with a supporting cast consisting of John C. Reilly, Benicio Del Toro, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Glenn Close, and Djimon Hounsou, this could either be the best Marvel movie in a long time, or a stain on an impressive streak from the studio.

Release Date: August 1

There you have it. My top five will be up as soon as I write it. But to tease it, the movies involve a reptile, a disappearance, an actor from Inside Llewyn Davis, Olympic wrestling and space travel. So until then, enjoy!

Highlights From The 2014 Oscars

So the Oscars are officially over, and we can stop stressing about who wore what and who won what and who fucked what. Spoiler alert, Clooney fucked everyone. Now, if you follow me on the Twitters, you know that I went on a live-Tweeting rampage. I apologize for that, but I am so very alone. But now that we're a day removed from Hollywood's biggest circle jerk, I thought I'd look at what was good, what was bad, and what needs to go. Unfortunately, since the Oscars won't be uploading the acceptance speeches to Youtube, we're out of luck when it comes to actually watching them. So just use your imagination and believe, because isn't that what the Oscars is all about?

THE GOOD

Ellen was a Great Fucking Host

The most famous people in the world taking a selfie

Coming off how incredibly mediocre last years Oscars were, Ellen seemed like a very safe choice to host. She was great her first time around, seven years ago, and this time was no exception. I think the key to her being such a great host is the fact that she's universally liked by fans and all the celebrities in the room. Just look at how awesome this selfie that Ellen took is. Any time you can crash Twitter, you can consider yourself having done a great job.

Her monologue was typical Ellen fare, not going too off the reserve with her jokes, and not singing about actresses boobs, unlike a previous host who will not be named. She was incredibly funny and engaging, riffing on Jennifer Lawrence falling at the Oscars last year, and then again this year when she got out of her car. Also, a fantastic dig at Liza Minnelli and and jokes like "Here's Michael B. Jordan and Kristen B. Ell" are things that will always win my heart. Ordering pizza for people is also a big plus in my books. The only negative to this was that Michael Fassbender was nominated and, unlike when people thought he was going to be nominated for Shame, no one mentioned the giant F. Assbender he has in his pants. 

We are all Kevin Spacey, the President of Space. Thank you internet.

Lupita Nyong'o and Jared Leto Gave Great Speeches

Jared Leto telling 30 Seconds to Mars to suck his dick

I just want to preface by saying that I think the first half of Jared Leto's acceptance speech is completely wonderful. Thanking his mom for raising him right on her own and making a good life for their family, and his brother for being his best friend and when it was genuine, it was fantastic. I didn't really care for the whole "This is for all the dreamers out there" mostly because it comes across as phony as anything Anne Hatheway does in public. That being said, he's really grown on me, as an actor, person and Man-Lion.

Lupita owning it

I think the speech that Lupita Nyong'o gave was the best of the whole night. Not only did she thank everyone associated with the movie, from the other actors, to the director, writer and even the editing guys. You could tell how genuinely happy and excited she was. I wish more speeches were like this, and not just a laundry list of management to thank for getting the role. She's quickly become someone who I really like, and I'm hoping that this boosts her career sooner rather than later. Side note: Did anyone know she is 31? I thought she was like 22 or something. Insane how young being awesome makes you look.

Some Presenters Were Too Good to Forget

I loved Jim Carrey coming on stage at the Oscars and instantly noting that he's been snubbed majorly twice, without ever directly saying it. Then he looked right at Bruce Dern and did the best Bruce Dern impression ever seen. That was hilarious and well done, and they should have had Carrey just start doing impressions of other nominees.

Jamie Foxx was also pretty funny fucking up his prompter reading, then instantly recovering before launching into a random riff, that he started soundtracking. Jessica Biel didn't know whether to join in, stay professional or yell at the Academy about how there was a Stealth reunion happening on stage.

Also, Bill Murray is awesome and instantly makes this list for being Bill Fucking Murray. It also helps that he gave a shoutout to the late great Harold Ramis. Apparently after Groundhog Day, Murray and Ramis had a pretty big falling out, and didn't speak for years, so it was a great gesture for him to do that.

THE MCCONAUSSANCE IS COMPLETE

You know what a fugazi is? It's my Oscar, Leo

Even though his speech was just alright.. alright alright, I love Matthew McConaughey so god damn much. I love the fact that he called himself 10 years in the future his hero. I think it means he constantly strives to be better, which is great to hear. I mean, hearing he had the same thought when he made Failure To Launch doesn't exactly compute, but he has an Oscar, and he should win a fucking Grammy for that scene directly above.

Special Mention: Sidney Poitier for being a bad ass, being an amazing actor, getting all cozy with Angelina Jolie, and reading the prompter with so much gravitas that they should have nominated you right there for 2015.

THE BAD

Adela Dazeem

John Travolta was supposed to introduce Idena Menzel to sing Let It Go from Frozen. Instead, he decided to forget English because Scientology and I couldn't stop laughing. And because the internet is wonderful, there was an Adela Dazeem twitter account within five minutes.

The Montages

What the hell was up with all the montages last night? Listen, I understand the theme was heroes and all that stuff, but man those montages took an eternity and there seemed to be an endless amount of them. I get having them from the Best Picture nominees, but that's pushing it. Having a montage for animated movies, then for biopics, then for action movies, then other bullshit. Why not have a montage for actors wearing silly hats, or Kevin James falling down or farting in a movie? I've been told the Kevin James montage would actually be three hours long.

The Amount of Singing

Darlene Love making the most of her 15 minutes

What was up with all the singing this year? On top of four performances of the Best Original Song nominees, we also had P!NK sing over top of, guess what, a montage of people accepting lifetime achievement Oscars. Talk about way too many in the stink. I'd much rather see Steve Martin and Angela Lansbury give acceptance speeches than listen to P!NK anymore. Or ever again. Why is she at the Oscars and I'm not?

Speaking of singing for no reason, I love Bette Midler, but god damn, why have her sing after the In Memoriam segment? Why not during, so it wasn't just a silent slideshow of dead people? And also the most cliche song choices ever. Seriously, I get the theme is heroes, but "Wind Beneath My Wings" was cringe worthy. 

If you look at it without sound, it just looks like she's sneezing theatrically

Wanna know what else was cringe worthy? Darlene Love singing her gratitude during the acceptance speech for 20 Feet From Stardom. Yeah, it's a fantastic, crowd pleasing documentary, but please don't sing your songs at the Oscars. I'm as big a drama, musical geek as the next person, but it was so awkward and weird. Why can she belt out a ballad at the Oscars and be applauded, but when I do it on the bus, they tell me to get off?

Finally, I thought the musical numbers for the Best Original Song were pretty garbage. I'm not saying the songs themselves, because Let It Go is amazing, and The Moon Song is so beautiful and works perfectly in the movie, and Happy is a total crowd please. The U2 song was pretty mediocre, and the fact that nothing from Inside Llewyn Davis was nominated still makes me mad. That U2 song is to music, what my singing in the shower is to music. Honestly, aside from Happy, which was super fun to watch and see everyone get into it including Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong'o and Amy Adams, all the rest were super bland. But seriously though, how freaking gorgeous is Amy Adams? Her sexy dance certainly doesn't help things.

In love with her

Make It Shorter

Listen, there's no reason why this show should be four hours long. You could easily take an hour off the show by not showing me Best Animated Short Film. They should have replaced that category with Best Adapted Hairstyle. Brad Pitt had Macklemore's hair, Jared Leto has Jesus hair and John Travolta was apparently trying to get cast in American Hustle 2.

So that's all I got. Thank goodness I won't be talking about the Oscars anymore, because honestly, I'm tired of it. Hopefully I'll be nominated for one next year, and if that's the case, then you'll never hear from me again, because I'm vain and will want to rub elbows with millionaires. If it isn't the case, which it most likely won't be, then I'll watch the Oscars next year with chocolate ice cream and sadness again. Till next time, kids.

Just keep livin'

2014 Oscar Predictions

With the Oscars happening tomorrow night, I figured I would throw down some predictions as to who I think will be taking home the awards tomorrow night. I'll put down who will probably win, and who I think should win, with who will win in bold and who I think should win in italics. At least I'll do that for the major categories; personally, I have no stake in Best Costume Design. All I know is The Lone Ranger should win nothing, and burn in eternal damnation.

Best Picture

And the nominees are...

American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

Her

Nebraska

Philomena

12 Years A Slave

The Wolf of Wall Street

Thoughts: 

I have been on the 12 Years A Slave bandwagon ever since I first saw it, and to me, out of these categories it should win Best Picture. I know a lot of people will make a case for Gravity or American Hustle, because Oscar voters loved those, and 12 Years A Slave is very hard to watch. I'm still holding out hope that it does win, but we've seen the best movies not win at the Oscars time and time again, so I wouldn't be surprised by anything. If this doesn't win, look for Gravity to be the winner.

Best Actor

And the nominees are...

Christian Bale (American Hustle)

Bruce Dern (Nebraska)

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave)

Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Thoughts:

There is a chance that McConaughey doesn't win this, but given that the only awards he hasn't won for his performance as Ron Woodrof are awards he wasn't nominated for, I can't see him losing at the Oscars. Personally, while I think I've made it abundantly clear I LOVE McConaughey and I relish living in this McConaughey-day, I would like to see the award to go Ejiofor or DiCaprio. I love how people think DiCaprio not winning yet is a drought of epic proportions. Amy Adams has yet to win in 5 nominations, Gary Oldman has one nomination to his credit in a career spanning over 30 years, and Peter O'Toole never won in his 54 year career, despite 8 nominations to his name.

Best Actress

And the nominees are...

Amy Adams (American Hustle)

Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

Judi Dench (Philomena)

Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

Thoughts:

Cate Blanchett has won every award for this film, and I don't see that ending. She gives the best female performance of the year, and she'll be rewarded. Just for the sake of conversation though, I wouldn't mind seeing either Amy Adams or Judi Dench take home the award. They are both so lovely.

Best Supporting Actor

And the nominees are...

Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)

Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)

Michael Fassbender (12 Years A Slave)

Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Thoughts:

Jared Leto is going to win, and rightfully so. He's brilliant in Dallas Buyers Club. Not much else to say about that. I wouldn't mind seeing Michael Fassbender or, even, Jonah Hill take it home though. But that won't happen.

Best Supporting Actress

And the nominees are...

Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)

Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave)

Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)

June Squibb (Nebraska)

Thoughts:

I'm almost certain that Nyong'o is going to win, after winning the Screen Actors Guild award and the Independent Spirit Award earlier today. I was somewhat shocked at her losing the BAFTA, but the Golden Globe is a joke, so we forget that. There's an outside chance that Jennifer Lawrence wins, but I can't see the Academy rewarding her two years straight for similar performances. Then again, look at Christoph Waltz. I want June Squibb to win purely for the fact that she's had a great career, so give it to her.

Best Director

And the nominees are...

Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity)

Alexander Payne (Nebraska)

David O. Russell (American Hustle)

Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave)

Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Thoughts:

Cuaron is going to win here, because he's won everything else so far. Gravity is an expertly made movie, and I don't doubt that's in so no part due to him. I'd love to see Scorsese get another one, but that won't happen, and McQueen is the only other major threat here. But Cuaron is well liked and that goes a long way. If he doesn't win, by some divine intervention, look for McQueen to be holding the statue.

Best Adapted Screenplay

And the nominees are...

Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope (Philomena)

Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy (Before Midnight)

Billy Ray (Captain Phillips)

John Ridley (12 Years A Slave)

Terrence Winter (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Best Original Screenplay

And the nominees are...

Erin Warner Singer and David O. Russell (American Hustle)

Woody Allen (Blue Jasmine)

Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack (Dallas Buyers Club)

Spike Jonze (Her)

Bob Nelson (Nebraska)

Best Animated Feature Film

And the nominees are...

The Croods

Despicable Me 2

Ernest & Celestine

Frozen

The Wind Rises

Best Documentary (Feature)

And the nominees are...

The Act of Killing

Cutie and the Boxer

Dirty Wars

The Square

20 Feet From Stardom

Best Foreign Language Film

And the nominees are...

The Broken Circle Breakdown

The Great Beauty

The Hunt

The Missing Picture

Omar

Best Cinematography

And the nominees are...

Philippe Le Sourd (The Grandmaster)

Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity)

Bruno Delbonnel (Inside Llewyn Davis)

Phedon Papamichael (Nebraska)

Roger Deakins (Prisoners)

Best Film Editing

And the nominees are...

American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

12 Years A Slave

Best Original Score

And the nominees are...

William Butler and Owen Pallett (Her)

Alexandre Desplat (Philomena)

Thomas Newman (Saving Mr. Banks)

Steven Price (Gravity)

John Williams (The Book Thief)

Best Original Song

And the nominees are...

Happy from Despicable Me 2

Let It Go from Frozen

The Moon Song from Her

Ordinary Love from Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom

Best Sound Mixing

And the nominees are...

Captain Phillips

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Lone Survivor

Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Sound Editing

And the nominees are...

All Is Lost

Captain Phillips

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Lone Survivor

Best Production Design

And the nominees are...

American Hustle

Gravity

The Great Gatsby

Her

12 Years A Slave

Best Visual Effects

And the nominees are...

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Iron Man 3

The Lone Ranger

Star Trek Into Darkness

Best Costume Design

And the nominees are...

American Hustle

The Grandmaster

The Great Gatsby

The Invisible Woman

12 Years A Slave

Best Make Up and Hairstyling

And the nominees are...

Dallas Buyers Club

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

The Lone Ranger

Best Documentary Short Subject

And the nominees are...

CaveDiger

Facing Fear

Karama Has No Walls

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life

Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall

Best Short Film (Animated)

And the nominees are...

Feral

Get A Horse!

Mr. Hublot

Possessions

Room on the Broom

Best Short Film (Live Action)

And the nominees are...

Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)

Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)

Helium

Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have To Take Care of Everything?)

The Voorman Problem

And there we go. A full list of all the nominees and my predicted winners. If you made it all the way to the end, congratulations, you're as alone as I am. So let's see how this plays out tomorrow. Later kids!

Kill Your Darlings (2013) Movie Review

Ben Foster, Daniel Radcliffe, and Dane DeHaan in Kill Your Darlings

How do you go about telling the story of a generation of scholars who lacked all direction? Do you give them purpose, or simply allow them to coexist amongst each other until purpose presents itself? This seems to be the underlying intention of Kill Your Darlings, a film about a group of beat poets before beat poetry was even a concept. A journey of self discovery, filled with love, genius, wartime haircuts, literary genius and drugs (seriously so many drugs, guys), the film shows off an important time in writing and creativity, though falls into the trap of heightened self importance.

Centering around Allen Ginsberg and Lucien Carr, the feeling of young angst is constantly present during a time of war, frustration with establishment, and repressed homosexuality. I mention the last one, because sexuality is a huge part of growing up, and if you know your history, you'll know Ginsberg was gay. But he was gay in a time when it was considered a bad thing, and part of the intrigue of Ginsberg is seeing him shed his exterior, and realize who he is, and accept it. It shows a time when the world was afraid and angry at homosexuals. I mean, they couldn't even get married back then, guys!

It really is a performance of surprising maturity, and one that should help him be recognized as a real dramatic actor

As Ginsberg, Daniel Radcliffe is absolutely fantastic. Truly, he is working uphill, as he has to portray a well documented individual, and move past his Harry Potter image. He does this in spades, showing Ginsberg slowly go from a tightly wound literary perfectionist, to free wheeling artist, all while dealing with the inner turmoil of longing for human connection other than simply friendship. It really is a performance of surprising maturity, and one that should help him be recognized as a real dramatic actor. Particularly, the scenes with his parents (David Cross, who has also played Allen Ginsberg, and Jennifer Jason Leigh) before Columbia and during are fantastic. Dealing with the pressure of having a published poet for a father, who gives little credence to family life, and having a constantly paranoid mother, who thinks her husband is out to get her.

For those people who do not want to move past him as Harry Potter, do not see this film. Why, you ask? Well, I mentioned that Ginsberg is gay, and it's a search for who he is. So yes, Radcliffe has a couple of gay sex scenes. Normally, I wouldn't go out of my way to mention this, but the sex scenes are explicitly graphic. No, you don't see his wand, but he casts a few Patronus', nomsayn?

Of the two lead performances, DeHaan gets the much showier one in Carr, but it wouldn't be half as effective without the subtly of Radcliffe

Contrasting Ginsberg's earnestness is Lucien Carr's bravado, and Dane DeHaan matches Radcliffe's performance level perfectly. Carr is brash, cocky, and intelligent, but harbours a darkness and confusion, and DeHaan is able to show you all of that simply through the way that he looks or reacts. It's easy to see why Ginsberg is wiling to follow him to the ends of the Earth. Of the two lead performances, DeHaan gets the much showier one in Carr, but it wouldn't be half as effective without the subtly of Radcliffe.

Other faces that stop by are On The Road author Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston, stepping away from Boardwalk Empire and showing off his whole face), his girlfriend Edie Parker (Elizabeth Olson), William Burroughs (Ben Foster) and David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall). All these actors are fantastic in supporting roles though Olson easily has the least to do, due to her character not really being fleshed out more than the frustrated siginificant other to Kerouac. Huston and Foster are both strong as friends and mentors to Ginsberg, who show him the different caveats to his new vision of poetry. Hall is also very strong as David Kammerer, a janitor with the intellect of a literary genius, who is hopelessly and obsessively in love with Carr.

It definitely gave me a better understanding of Ginsberg than Howl, though not quite of his motivations or inspirations

My main issues with the movie revolve around the way the movie is paced and, occasionally, how it's edited. The editing can sometimes be jarring, and, at times, sacrifices fluidity for artistic merit. The pace is also an issue because, for a movie telling a story about those directionless writers, it can become directionless itself. Certain characters, such as Carr's mother, could have been cut out entirely.

Overall, the film is more of an actors showcase, than a showcase of beat poetry. It definitely gave me a better understanding of Ginsberg than Howl, though not quite of his motivations or inspirations. A film worth checking out, especially if you like his work

Grade: B