My Oscar Predictions

http://www.thesunnews.net/around_town/583-The_Suns_predictions_for_the_Academy_Awards.html

The Sun's predictions for the Academy Awards

Thursday February 27, 2014 | By:Tony Baksa |

HAMBURG — I believe we are in another golden age of movies. I have written close to a dozen reviews for The Sun; most were favorable. That’s a pretty good record.

I look at this year’s Oscar® nominees and feel that all nine contenders deserve the recognition. So many good movies have been passed over, but the academy can’t sight them all. I’m sure it was a difficult decision, choosing the nominees.

Expanding to nine choices for the coveted Academy Award seems fairer to me than picking only five movies, as was done in the past. However, the question arises: Why nine? Why not 10?

Then we have the acting competition. There have been some powerful performances in 2013. Here, the academy sticks to the traditional five choices per category. I feel that, if they are going to nominate nine movies, why not work with the number nine all the way through, especially in the acting race? Then there wouldn’t be such omissions as Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Chris Cooper, to name a few. But, then, as the saying goes, you can’t nominate everyone.

Here, then, are my predictions for this year’s Academy Awards. I will name those who I believe should win and who I feel will win, in six major categories.

Best Picture: “12 Years a Slave” should win. I also believe it will win. This extraordinary film will not be forgotten for quite a long while.

Actor In a Leading Role: All contenders are worthy and I would not be unhappy with whoever wins from these stellar performances but I am here to choose. Matthew McConaughey will win for “Dallas Buyers Club.” Chiwetel Ejiofor should win for his harrowing turn in “12 Years a Slave.” I also predict that Ejiofor will become a major star whether he wins the Oscar or not.

Actress In a Leading Role: Again, all are worthy, yet one performance must be recognized for its supreme artistry. Cate Blanchett’s rendering of a modern-day Blanche DuBois in “Blue Jasmine” is astonishing. Her nervous, ticky and tragic character is as memorable as Tennessee Williams’ ill-fated southern belle in “Streetcar Named Desire.” As this was written and directed by the great Woody Allen, one can surmise only that Woody is riffing on Williams with great respect. Blanchett will win.

Actor In a Supporting Role: Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club”) will win. Michael Fassbender (“12 Years a Slave”) should win for his portrait of an unrelentingly brutal slave owner obsessed with a beautiful young slave.

Actress In a Supporting Role: I am seriously conflicted here. Jennifer Lawrence turns in a funny, goofy and oddly moving performance in “American Hustle.” I was reminded of Judy Holiday’s classic Academy Award-winning act in “Born Yesterday.” Lawrence is that good. Then newcomer Lupita Nyong shows up in a stunning performance as a young slave in “12 Years a Slave.” It should make her a star. I hope it does and I hope she wins the Oscar. In fact, I predict that she will indeed win.

Directing: This is always a hard one. I mean, after all, to direct a movie of such high caliber as these five men have done is an awesome achievement. I favor Steve McQueen for his classical touch in “12 Years a Slave” but Alfonso Cuarón’s artful and high tech direction of “Gravity” will get him the gold statuette. He will deserve it but my heart picks McQueen.

In fact, it is my heart, not my brain, that creates my winner wish list. Isn’t that what happens to us all? We love a movie for how it makes us feel. A movie’s positive impact on us individually is its own reward. In a way, it is silly to treat art like a horse race.

To be fair, the Academy Awards give due respect to the cream of the movie industry crop. It points us, the movie-going audience, toward the best. The best is what we deserve, and it really is all very subjective.

Yet, isn’t it fun to watch the Academy Awards? This overblown tribute – the fuss, the lame patter, the cupcake gowns and wonderfully dreadful musical numbers – the vulnerable actors and their acceptance speeches; the good, the bad and the ridiculous, all in one long celebratory evening. An evening where we get to cheer and jeer our plaster saints. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

The Academy Awards telecast will be held on Sunday, March 2.

For a complete list of nominees, visit oscar.go.com/nominees.

Wolf Bites

On The Silver Screen: The Wolf of Wall Street

BY: Tony Baksa | February 11, 2014

It’s like falling out of love. You think you know someone and then they do something that bewilders and disappoints you, big time. You search your mind for clues. Where did this come from?

That is how I feel about film director Martin Scorsese and his latest venture “The Wolf of Wall Street.” I was so prepared to love this movie as I have most of his other films. Scorsese, after all, is one of the great American film-makers of all time and a personal favorite of mine. He is a director of great human understanding.

His subject matter usually deals with the darker side of society but he has always managed to show the humanity – the hidden light, if you will, that emerges from the dark side – until now. “The Wolf of Wall Street” is not a dark film, visually; it is bright and energetic, but very dark in nature.

The film is about wheeler-dealers with no redeeming value. I just don’t know what to make of it. What are we asked to feel? For three hours, we are given countless scenes of debauchery that includes heavy drug-taking, lots of nudity and profanity, misogyny, homophobia and not one character to care about. This is all done in a supposedly hip, comic style that left me mirthless. Is it a satire? Is it a morality tale? What, Scorsese, is it?

“The Wolf of Wall Street” is the true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), an ambitious superman stockbroker who rises to the top in the volatile world of finance. How he rapidly climbs the ladder to fame and fortune is what is dramatized.

Fueled by greed and self-gratification, Belfort earns his fortune by way of fraud. He is a corrupt man working in a corrupt environment -  one of his own making, I hasten to add. He is aided and abetted by a clump of chums who follow him like the apostles. They are not very bright but they manage to score big money deals.

The interactions and the over-the-top wild parties that litter this film are apparently the stuff of comedy in Scorsese’s view.

I could accept much of this story if Scorsese led me to some understanding of why we should care for Belfort, a man who cheated and hurt many people so he could live high on the hog. What galls me most is that the film is based on Belfort’s book. Not only does this criminal, who served very little time for his crimes, get a bundle for his story, he gets it told by a great director, Scorsese. Some people have all the luck.

Despite my displeasure, “The Wolf of Wall Street” has some very good performances, albeit one-note efforts. This is due to the director’s vision.

DiCaprio is non-stop frenetic. Jonah Hill as his sidekick is remarkable. A cameo by Matthew McConaughey is masterful. The rest of the cast  plays out like The Three Stooges – literally. There is never a moment in this movie where a character comes down to reality; never a glimpse of believability.

Halfway through the film, the dirty hijinks begin to pale. Then, something very ugly happens: A mean and violent episode that seemed so unnecessary to the plot and sensibility assaults us. This gratuitous scene was the turning point for me. This is where I changed from disappointment and dislike to a deep loathing for “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

“The Wolf of Wall Street” is currently playing in theaters.

American Hustle’

The Sun movie review: ‘American Hustle’

Thursday January 30, 2014 | By:Tony Baksa | News

HAMBURG — Director David O. Russell is becoming the new Martin Scorsese. Like the great Scorsese, Russell’s films are intelligent, complicated and funny narratives that exist somewhere between the underbelly of society and the seemingly respectable lifestyles of any given time.

Add in a good measure of desperate characters seeking the big score and we are off and running on a whirlwind of schemes and maneuvers that will make your head spin.

The intoxicating energy of “American Hustle” is achieved by Russell’s pacing, brilliant editing and, most importantly, the casting of one of the best acting ensembles of the year.

Christian Bale stars in a bravura performance that is – how can I put it? – dramatically funny? Yes, that’s it. He is well matched with turns by Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and my personal favorite, Jennifer Lawrence as you have never seen her before.

Forget “The Hunger Games.” Lawrence once again reminds us why she won the Academy Award© last year. She may just collect another, during this March’s ceremony.

In “American Hustle,” Lawrence delivers a bold and original portrait. She is funny and touching; a masterful performance.

Bale and Adams play 1970s con artists who get entrapped by FBI Agent Cooper, as they attempt to pull off one of their more brazen schemes.

Rather than arrest them, Cooper, appreciating their extraordinary criminal skills, enlists them to help him bring down a slew of corrupt public figures, mayors and congressman. This is a world of power brokers, criminals and frauds. What follows is wild, unpredictable and funny.

“American Hustle” gathers many of the cast members who appeared in Russell’s previous films, especially “The Fighter” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” which explains the great chemistry among this stellar troop.

Even Robert De Niro briefly appears in an uncredited role as a mafia boss, in a very effective scene. There is also a terrific cameo performance by comic Louis C. K.

This movie is full of surprises. Adams brings to the screen a character you would not initially associate her with. Cooper may even surprise you with his portrayal of a desperate overachiever that borders on madness.

I have read that “American Hustle” is a fictionalized and loosely based story of the FBI ABSCAM operation of the late ‘70s. It is full of dark humor and brings to mind “Prizzi’s Honor” and “Goodfellas.”

Although funny and compelling, this is not an easy film to watch. It took a little time to understand what was going on.

It is not that it is muddled. It’s just that “American Hustle” is a complicated story and the challenge is keeping up with its speed of light rhythm.

You are forced to be super attentive, or you may miss a detail or a plot point. This is not a criticism. This element is what elevates “American Hustle” to one of the best movies of 2013.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

BY: Tony Baksa | December 30, 2013

HAMBURG — Peter Jackson is a genius. How he manages to accomplish such magnificent films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s rich detailed and complicated books simply amazes me.

His second movie continuing the epic tale of hobbit Bilbo Baggins is truly awesome.

It is not that it is better than the first hobbit movie, “An Incredible Journey,” but, with this sequel, the story gets better, thereby affording Jackson many opportunities to shine.

And what a story it is!

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is an exciting roller-coaster ride full of danger, menace, glory, drama and humor. Battles aplenty, magic and even romance – interspecies yet, between an elf and a dwarf – are just some of the thrills delivered with great gusto.

Innocent, brave Bilbo Baggins provides extra charm and delight, as he fusses with that magic gold ring and saves the day more than once.

This second installment of the Hobbit trilogy is deliciously scary. It picks up where the first movie in this series ended.

There are gigantic spiders – hundreds of them. The repulsive and frightening orcs return on those awful animals they ride (What are they?).

Then there is the fabulous monster dragon, Smaug. Wow, what a creature! I loved the confrontation between Bilbo and Smaug – a battle of wits – which was funny and intense.

The wise wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) is once again on hand, to guide the adventure.

The dwarves, led by Thorin (Richard Armitage), are still on their quest to regain the mountain, defeat the dragon and reclaim their homeland, Erebor.

They seek the secret door and the key that will unlock the precious, stolen treasures the fierce dragon Smaug hoards.

On their journey, along with the many battles, the spiders and other assorted creatures, they encounter the eerie elves and, for the first time, humans. Viewers experience edge-of-the-seat excitement, at every twist and turn.

“The Desolation of Smaug,” with all of its high energy and commotion, is strangely infused with lots of heart. There are also moments when the story reaches Shakespearian heights.

The screenplay, co-written by Jackson, is literate and acted with classical aplomb by the incomparable McKellen and a very diverse cast of extremely interesting actors.

I especially liked Martin Freeman as the lovable hobbit Baggins, Luke Evans as the human Bard and Evangeline Lilly as Tuariel, the lovely warrior wood elf. who is smitten with the handsome dwarf Kili (Aiden Turner). When mocked for her attraction to the diminutive Kili, Tuariel defensively counters, “He’s tall, for a dwarf.”

The heart, soul and breath of all the hobbit films is the great McKellen. As the wizard Gandalf, McKellen supplies warmth, humor and storybook wonder that stirs this rapid boiling pot of a movie.

The look of the film is beautifully organic.

Mountains and caves, castles and oceans are displayed, not for picturesque beauty, but evocative horror and fantasy. It isn’t pretty, but it is spectacular.

I saw the movie in 3D. It is also being shown in regular 2D, IMAX and HFR 3D. Avoid HFR for now.

This high resolution process works well with large-scale scenes and vistas, but gives the appearance of video taping, in the smaller, intimate scenes and settings.

This process is promising, but needs improvement and is not worth the extra money; stick with the regular 3D, 2D and IMAX.

Three-time Academy Award® winner Howard Shores’ score and expert film editing by Jabez Olssen, with a huge production crew of special effects, animators and set designers, have brought Middle Earth strikingly to life.

In short, I love this movie!

“The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug” adds a great big notch to Jackson’s director belt.

Thanks to its cliff-hanger ending, I truly look forward to the final installment of “The Hobbit.”

If Jackson remains consistent, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” coming next year, just might be a great and wonderful finale to this Tolkien tale.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is currently playing in theaters.

Captain Phillips

The Sun "Captain Phillips"                                  

Friday November 8, 2013 | By:Press Release |

HAMBURG — To say “Captain Phillips” is a pirate movie would be doing it a grave disservice. Yes, it has pirates, and there are boats and ships and water – lots of water – but “Captain Phillips” is not a Johnny Depp romp.

This is a very serious, very tense and very emotional film that depicts the hijacking of an unarmed United States cargo ship off the coast of Somali, in 2009. Directed by Paul Greengrass, this exciting thriller is all the more remarkable because it is a true story based on Captain Richard Phillips’ book.

Greengrass knows how to keep the pulse pounding. If you are a fan of his two hit movies, “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum,” as I am, you will know just what I mean. He brings that same kind of rhythm to “Captain Phillips.”

Plus, there is something new he brings to his accomplished style: the close-up. Much of this movie is shot by bringing the camera near the action.

There are fights, chases and all sorts of histrionics played out in such a manner as to keep the viewer deliciously nervous and frightened throughout. This includes the wonderfully acted dramatic scenes, which are so real and gut-wrenching. This in-your-face style is a masterstroke from Greengrass.

“Captain Phillips” is expertly cast with Tom Hanks in the title role. Hanks has to be the most real actor in Hollywood. He is the present day James Stewart: the everyman. Nobody does it better. His last scene in the film will break your heart. Oscar©, anyone?

Supported by Barkhad Abdi in an outstanding film debut as the naïve and tragic Somali pirate, Muse, and Barkhad Abdiramam as the scary, wild and menacing pirate, Bilal, this tragedy at sea is a monumental achievement in human drama.

Much of the film focuses on the relationship between commanding officer Captain Richard Phillips (Hanks) and the Somali pirate captain Muse (Abdi) who, along with his shabby gang, takes Phillips hostage, with the hope of a $10 million ransom.

This is a complex tale of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Its depiction of a dual struggle for survival by captives as well as captors is quite unusual. You won’t see a hero rise to conquer. There are no heroes here. You will see real men honestly confronting fear. And that is the distinction that powers this film.

To avoid spoiling your movie-going experience, I won’t synopsize this film any further. You may be familiar with this story from when it made the news, five years ago. I was not, and thankfully so. It was all a shocking surprise to me.

As it speeds along, “Captain Phillips” has a natural sequential flow that will have you entranced until the final second. All I can say is that, when the final credits began to roll, the audience expressed a collective sigh of relief and an audible “Whew!”

“Captain Phillips” is currently playing in theaters.

Tony Baksa is a Hamburg resident who has spent the majority of his life working in show business. He is the founder and artistic director of Hamburg Theatre Under The Stars. His blog “The Kitchen Sink,” a blog about everything, was named one of the top 10 best new international blogs by Google.