SAG Nomination Reactions

SAG Nomination Reactions

goshcrapdarnit! I harbored serious hopes of Jake Gyllenhaal earning a nomination for his ferocious and charming performance in End of Watch. However, the film’s critical praise was dampened by its September release date and basically non-existent campaigning. This practically throws him out of the Oscar race. Guess I’ll have to content myself that the Critics’ Choice Awards sited him in Best Actor in an Action Movie. Sigh.

Joaquin Phoenix is ignored after an incredible, comeback performance in The Master. I didn’t care for the film as a whole, but believe he made the strongest showing in the film and holds together what bit of coherence the movie possesses. Amy Adams was also ignored in the Supporting Actress category. Although, her performance was more easily dismissed as it was challengingly underplayed.   

Yet, their absences made room for Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) and Nicole Kidman (The Paperboy). I have yet to see these two films, but adore these two Aussies’ previous work. Welcome back, Nicole. I’ve missed you.

It’s no surprise that Jennifer Lawrence was selected for Silver Linings Playbook. She has had a great year between SLP and The Hunger Games. I have loved her since Winter’s Bone and the affair continues. Yet, I was surprised to see Emmanuelle Riva not included for Amour after winning multiple precursors.

It’s great to see Helen Mirren (Hitchcock) and Naomi Watts (The Impossible) in the running, but part of me was hoping to see    Mary Elizabeth Winsted (Smashed) amongst the names; at least she has an Independent Spirit nom with which to content herself.

The Supporting Actor category is all over the place. The exclusion of critical favorites Leonard DiCaprio (Django Unchained) and Matthew McConaughey (Magic Mike) is saddening. Also, personal favorites of mine, Sam Rockwell’s hilarious turn in Seven Psychopaths and Bryan Cranston’s standout performance in Argo went unmentioned. I think McConaughey, Rockwell, and Cranston all were better than Philip Seymour Hoffman’s nominated effort in The Master. Lastly, why is everyone in love with Tommy Lee Jones’ performance in Lincoln? Am I the only person that found him out of place and distracting??

YAY for Chris Messina being included in Best Ensemble for Argo! He is having a great year that also includes great performances in Celeste and Jesse Forever and Ruby Sparks. Hopefully, he will keep this momentum going.

Film & Theatre Reviews

So I am an entertainment junkie (kind of) and frequent movie theaters and regular theatres. I love to follow the awards season with special interest in the Academy Awards. I like to predict the nominees/winners and name my own superlatives. In preparation for that madness, I write short reviews on movies and plays. Here's a little taste of that:

THEATRE

You can check out my review of 
About Face Theatre's We Three Lizas for Chicago Stage Standard 

on their website: http://chicagostagestyle.com/threelizas.asp. 

FILM

Though not as stuffy as the trailer would make you believe, LINCOLN fails to fully engage and falters to be thoroughly entertaining despite fine performances. Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field are strongly paired, but Tommy Lee Jones barely fits in style of the film despite his earnest performance. Tony Kushner’s relevant script adds surprises to the well-known historical story, but is stretched by an indulgent pace. The period detail is marvelous from the set decor to the instantly recognizable costumes. Finally, Steven Spielberg is a legendary filmmaker that creates masterful epics. However, LINCOLN is not a film that I truly enjoyed or am excited to watch again. 3.5/5 Stars.

The visual storytelling in LIFE OF PI is breathtaking. Ang Lee playfully incorporates lovely images and aids Suraj Sharma to giving a truthful performance in a tricky, difficult role. What the screenplay lacks in subtlety, it makes up for with humor. The task of making the bleak circumstances exciting was masterfully handled through beautiful cinematography and incredible visual and sound effects. LIFE OF PI is truly a technical wonder. 4/5 Stars.

Ben Affleck delivers a surprisingly exciting period drama that is as suspenseful as tender. He directs a fine ensemble with outstanding performance by Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin.  The ensemble, taut script, and excellent cinematography give ARGO an authentic feel. Affleck has developed nicely as an actor, but more remarkably as a filmmaker. The unrelenting pace and continuous promises of violence make ARGO a top notch thriller right up to its climactic scene.  5/5 Stars.

Hopefully, that was enough to wet your palette. Have you had a chance to see any of these? What did you think??