At the Cinema - February 2016

Deadpool – 8
I haven’t been particularly enamored by the onslaught of movies coming from Marvel studios.  The fact that they have big plans for 5000 or so movies over the next 20 years doesn’t excite me.  I didn't know there were that many comic books.  So far the productions have ranged from terrible to mildly entertaining.  But with their latest release, Deadpool, they may have actually hit on a decent formula. 

The formula?  R-rated, by virtue of a lot of suggestive banter, a few racy scenes, and a whole lot of raw humor.  If that approach works about 90% of the time, like it does in this movie, you’ve got a crowd-pleaser.  Marvel certainly has shown the ability to bring in a crowd with savy marketing.  Actually delivering on the entertainment promise is a whole new level for them.

This one starts off with a complicated action sequence during which Ryan Reynolds slows down the action to tell the backstory of how he fell in love, how he got his superpowers, and how that messed up his love life.   There’s about a 20-minute scene during which Reynolds acquires those superpowers, and it is great film-making.  Add in a redemptive third act and you’ve got the makings of a solid box office hit.  A starring role for Firefly's Morena Baccharin is another big plus.  This one exceeds the “mildly entertaining” level and bumps right up against “very.”

Hail, Caesar – 5

The Coen Brothers latest is a hodgepodge, mess of a movie.  I have no idea what their point was.  There are a lot of stars splitting a few good moments.  It may be a tribute to Hollywood.  It may be a showcase for George Clooney to act against type.  It may be a payday.  Whatever it is, it didn’t work for me. 

Scanning the Satelite

Becoming Mike Nichols – 8

This is a really nice HBO documentary consisting of a lengthy interview of the late Mike Nichols, who spills the beans on many of his productions, including Barefoot in the Park, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf, and most interestingly, The Graduate.

THE ACADEMY AWARDS

I usually enjoy watching the Oscars, which will air tonight.  I am usually in disagreement with the Best Picture, but my taste is weird, and I expect this year to be no different.  I’ve heard of some people who want to skip the first half hour because of Chris Rock.  I’ve always thought he was a great comedian, but his first time doing the Oscars fell flat, and the fact that he’s hosting in such a controversial year, will only lend to the audience gasps.  In my case it would be more appropriate for me to skip the last half hour.  I expect Mad Max:  Fury Road to dominate the technical awards, winning 5 or 6 but getting shut out during the last 30 minutes when the big awards roll out.

There were some great 2015 movies, but the movie that’s probably going to take the big prize was not one of them for me at least, which is par for my course.

So here are my predictions:

Best Picture

Will Win:  The Revenant.  It will join the list of infamous wrong picks that had late momentum.  It’s a grandstanding movie that will have little long term impact, other than a certain actor’s gratification. Move over Crash, take a seat Shakespeare.

Should Win:  Mad Max:  Fury Road, which history will treat as an epic, amazing cinematic achievement, one of the best action movies of all time, and certainly the greatest chase movie ever. 

Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant, and I’ll be happy for him.

Should Win:  Matt Damon for the Martian, the movie we'll watch way more than Leo's. 

Best Actress: 

Will Win:  Brie Larson is easily the best of the nominees anchoring a great movie with a great performance.

Should Win:  Charlize Theron in Mad Max.  Wait, she wasn’t even nominated

Best Director: 

Will Win:  George Miller, Mad Max.  I’m hoping for an upset over the heavily favored Inarritu, who is poised to win his 2^nd consecutive Oscar for Director, for The Revenant..

Should Win:  George Miller for bringing home his 20-year vision and re-creating a totally unique world.

Best Supporting Actor:

Will Win:  Sylvester Stallone for Creed

Should Win:  Sylvester Stallone for a lifetime achievement Award as Rocky Balboa

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win:  Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl (a combo award for her star-making work in Ex Machina)

Should Win:  Rooney Mara for Carol, although neither of these were really supporting roles.

And the rest of my predictions, with an occasional dissent:

Best Original Screenplay – Spotlight

Best Adapted Screenplay – The Big Short

Best Cinematography – The Revenant (although I’ll be rooting for Mad Max)

Best Costume Design – Mad Max:  Fury Road

Best Film Editing – Mad Max:  Fury Road

Best Makeup & Hair – Mad Max:  Fury Road

Best Production Design – Mad Max:  Fury Road

Best Score – The Hateful Eight

Best Song – Til it Happens to You, from The Hunting Ground

Best Sound Editing – Mad Max:  Fury Road

Best Sound Mixing –  Mad Max:  Fury Road

Best Visual Effects – Star Wars:  The Force Awakens (although I’ll be rooting for Mad Max)

Best Animated Feature – Inside Out

Best Documentary Feature – Amy

Best Foreign Language Film – Son of Saul

Best Animated Short – Sanjays Super Team

Best Documentary Short – Body Team 12

Best Live Action Short – Shok

No matter what happens, the show will be an endurance contest, and I’ll be expressing my sentiments throughout.  Enjoy.