Category: Oscar Bait

A Farewell to Arms (1932) Film Review

“Let’s love tonight,” they said, “There may be no tomorrow!”

Rating PG
Length 1h30
Release 08.12.1932
Director Frank Borage
About An American ambulance driver in the Italian forces falls in love with an English Red Cross nurse and their relationship is tested by WWI and stressful circumstances.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

The sets are really beautiful and while the close ups have that hazy look to them, but the wide and mid shots are okay and well framed.

There are transition scenes; the location or passage of time in which the film expresses some whimsy. Seeing the smoke of the train write out Milan was adorable.

There’s a section, not long after we’re informed that Frederic is in Milan that we get a section of pov shots. It’s quite a moving way of establishing Frederic being in a hospital. They’re really quite effective only being able to see the ceiling as he’s wheeled to his room, faces voices answering his questions.

The Bad

I know it will be reflective of the time, but the admonishment of Catherine and Frederic’s conversation about children in their future. How the fuck do you have a successful and healthy relationship without talking about such things before marriage?!
Yes, okay, society was very different then and it was a religious imperative for family life to take place within a marriage. However, it just really hit me as a really toxic and sure-fire way of having a really unhappy couple.

Helen Hayes may have given a strong performance in terms of character and emotions, however her accent is appalling. There’s scenes where she gives up completely.

The war time montage with only a musical score was really hard to follow. Slightly too quick edits in fast succession. Slowing it down and adding some dialogue would have just filled in the gap.

The Ugly

This film has been edited and cut up to a detrimental effect. Not the director’s fault, but more a reflection of the time and the introduction of the Hays Code. They are harsh and rushed cuts that are obvious to anyone who watches.

I get the sense that the romantic thread is only part of the original story. The war was almost a backdrop to the romance instead of an integral part of who they all were and the decisions they made.
The film could have demonstrated the action of war a little more.

Final Thoughts

A decent film for the time in which it was made. I would love to see the original cut of it as the way it stands, its a little too rough and choppy.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Rating 15
Length 3h26
Release 20.10.2023
Director Martin Scorsesse
About Real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal as Mollie Burkhart, a member of the Osage Nation, tries to save her community from a spree of murders fueled by oil and greed.
Moon: full moon seen 25 minutes in
Where to Watch: Apple TV
Trailer:

The Good

I’m calling it now: Lily Gladstone will take away the Oscar for Best Actress in a leading role on 10 March. She is incredible in representing what I see as a matriarchal power within a community that many women today would say is what feminism is looking for in terms of ‘equality’.
Gladstone even when at the most vulnerable point of Mollie’s life, gives a strength of character and morals that will have you wanting to reach through the screen to ensure her survival.

It is a visually beautiful film. You cannot deny, that Martin Scorsese is an incredible, talented, filmmaker. He’s even able to utilise slow motion is a competent and effective way.

The story is powerful. I found myself at the half way mark, maybe a little after, thinking so angrily about how corrupting wealth is. It then pulled me up short because this is a wealth that is still causing death, deception and dehumanisation a hundred years later. We’re not talking about money, but something more powerful. Oil.
Then you consider the characters of Mollie and Ernest. My opinions of DiCaprio aside, it’s clear these two characters love each other. It creates an almost paradox, not only within the film but the audience’s own understanding too. It will have you thinking about it, long after the film has finished.

The Bad

The run time. Yes, I do think that it’s largely to do with what the story is telling and how it perhaps could have been a trilogy. Maybe if Scorsese was younger, he’d have entertained it. However, I think this is the first three hour film I’ve watched since the most recent Bond. I didn’t need to stop the film, but with it being a slow and relatively quiet film, I know others would struggle.

By extension, because of how long the film is, the one thing I disliked was the use of flash back in the final act to an earlier part of the film. It wasn’t a replay of scenes, but still felt unnecessary.

The Ugly

I big swing, but Leonardo DiCaprio is too overrated and I could have watched this film with anyone else in the role of Earnest. In fact, I would have preferred Jesse Plemons take on the protagonist, and DiCaprio in the smaller, third act role, of Tom White.
Maybe I’m missing something that others can see in DiCaprio’s performances, but I couldn’t distinguish this performance, to that of The Revenant (2015), or even Don’t Look Up (2021). His ability to gurn and look like he’s attended Joey’s School of ActingTM does not an actor make for me.

By extension, Robert DeNiro should have been swapped with John Lithgow for the very reason that there was doubt or question about the morality of Bill Hale. The moment you see DeNiro, you know that while he himself doesn’t get dirty, he’s the shots.
Put Lithgow in the role, what is seen immediately as manipulation, becomes a much more subtle and opportunistic plot. DeNiro is too much the obvious choice for that role and I truly would have loved to have seen Lithgow get his teeth into a multi act performance and allowing DeNiro to play the smaller, government role.

Final Thoughts

An incredibly well made film that is a little too long for me. Not because of attention span as such, more that the story does lend itself to a trilogy.
That said, if you’re a fan of Scorsese, you’ll find this biopic perfect.

Great Expectations (1946) Film Review

Moths and all sorts of ugly creatures hover about a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?

Rating U
Length 1h58
Release 26.12.1946
Director David Lean
About A humble orphan boy in 1810s Kent is given the opportunity to go to London and become a gentleman, with the help of an unknown benefactor.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

John Mills and Alec Guiness are incredible in their individual rights. I’ve loved them both in anything I’ve watched. However, having them in a film together and sharing scenes is simply delightful.

The film stays rather true to the book, but it also makes some excellent choices when it comes to editing the narrative. Removing sections involving the attack and death of Mrs Joe, allows a much smoother transition from Pip’s childhood and into his adult life.

Young Pip and Joe are both adorably played by their respective actors.

The Bad

For me, the actresses who play Estella are a bit mismatched. I personally preferred the actress playing the younger Estella, so it meant that once the adult appeared, I found it difficult to engage with her. Perhaps more a testament to Jean Simmons good acting than suggesting Valerie Hobson was bad.

The Ugly

The final act felt a little rushed and lacking in detail; particularly the last few character connections that would have all the separate narratives woven together finally.

There is a

Final Thoughts

A near perfect film with such incredible cast; up there with Its a Wonderful Life and A Matter of Life and Death.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) Film Review

Discover the most MAGICAL film of the year

Rating 12
Length 1h33
Release 19.10.2012
Director Benh Zeitlin
About In the wake of her father’s ill health and the flooding of her home, Hushpuppy, a six-year-old girl, must brave prehistoric creatures called aurochs and seek out her lost mother.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: ITV Plus (Oscar Collection)
Trailer:

The Good

It’s such a beautiful film with an incredible, and unique, filmic style. With the fantasy element it is clearly a fictional piece, however by presenting the narrative within a documentary style it elevates the danger felt by all the people involved.

Hushpuppy, played by Quvenzhane Wallis, carries this film. The narration is enchanting and it adds to the love you’ll have for Hushpuppy and her headstrong behaviour.

The Bad

Another film about mankind’s mistreatment of the world and the impact it is having. The melting icecaps is an all too real a topic and the death and destruction a painful reminder of what is to come. It is a hard watch.

The Ugly

There’s a pain to be felt by following Hushpuppy during the environmental destruction of her home. The devastation of flooding is emotionally tense as it is, but add to it the back story of her mother and the current crisis with her father and it will leave you devestated.

Final Thoughts

An incredibly visual and emotional film that everyone much watch.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

The Only Thing Greater Than the Power of the Mind is the Courage of the Heart

Rating 12
Length 2h15
Release 22.02.2002
Director Ron Howard
About John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematical genius, finds himself in pain when he encounters a cruel disorder. He ultimately overcomes his struggles and emerges free of any trauma.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

Jennifer Connolly is incredible as Alicia Nash. The entire story arc is flawlessly portrayed. She provides the voice of reason, the spark of love and loyalty and a character the audience could empathise with.

The story is well told, not only in terms of structure but how Nash’s health dictates the narrative. Without giving away too much of the plot, there are interactions and structuring of the film that will make you want to rewatch.

While I struggled with the way in which Russell Crowe moved his mouth, and I relied on subtitles, the performance is incredible. The lucid, the crisis and the paranoia induced conspiracies are all well performed.

The Bad

The music was not the best. It felt brash and amateur considering this film is made by Ron Howard.

I would have loved to have spent more time in the college of Princeton. I understand why we needed the span that we had to understand Nash’s genius, however it equally could have been a film that resolved with the penning of his article.

The Ugly

While the impact Nash had on the world, there was little of that present in the film, instead choosing to focus upon the mental illness that perhaps sidelined his work for many years.
There’s so many biopics that focus on the negative and makes it feel that the audience is imposing on something too private, too intimate.

Final Thoughts

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Hope and Glory (1987) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 1h53
Release 03.09.1987
Director John Boorman
About A nine-year-old boy growing up in London during the Blitz enjoys an exhilarating childhood among the tragedies and ruins of World War II.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

The final act in which we spend more time with the Grandfather is that sort of bittersweet nostalgia warmth you get from seeing a familiar relationship that you no longer have presented on screen.
Ian Bannen is perfect in the role and is able to successfully portray the man as a grumpy yet loving family man that takes Billy under his wing.

There’s a scene in which the Rowan family are caught in the middle of an air raid. The slow motion shows the impact of bombs dropped in England. The craft used to produce that scene is incredible; from the ripples on the faces, to the lighting used.

The Bad

It’s an odd one in that the quality of this film feels more like a TV drama than an internationally known, Oscar nominated, film. It’s incredibly well made and the story is gripping, but there’s something that’s lacking.

The Ugly

I almost wish the sex scenes were edited out to bring the rating down to at least a 12. Not that it isn’t well done, and it is somewhat necessary to the plot. However, by removing these scenes, you would create a perfect film for younger viewers.
This would make for an incredible educational film; having a protagonist of 9 years old is a perfect focus for those initially learning about WWII and the conditions during the Blitz.

Final Thoughts

Charming, flawed, yet really funny. Another film that needs to be watched by everyone.

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Film Review

Rating U
Length 1h56
Release 30.01.1957
Director Billy Wilder
About A lawyer is troubled when a supposedly conscientious woman testifies against her husband. However, the motives behind her testimony put him in an ethical dilemma.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Charles Laughton, best known to me as Henry Hobson in Hobson’s Choice, is an absolute cantankerous delight as barrister Sir Wilfred Robards, pulled into a court case against Doctor’s orders when his nurse confiscates his cigars.
It’s very rare to have the gravitas Laughton has, and give the range of humour, vulnerability and anger that he does. He’s perfectly cast and carries this film, from start to finish.

Elsa Lanchester, Laughton’s real life wife, as Miss Plimsoll is the perfect addition to the original Agatha Christie plot. The chemistry and bickering between the two is some of the bests scenes in the film and I do actually wish she was in more.

There’s some beautiful shots in the film, particularly the Oxford Street establishing shot in which the reflection of the road, the bus and the crowd is seen while Mrs French is trying on hats in the shop.

The Bad

I disliked the Vole flashback showing how he met Christine. There’s no chemistry between them and the scene is rather clunky. After also having such extensive flashbacks with Mrs French, it may have been better to have Vole in the present relay the information.

The Ugly

The decoration of Mrs French’s living room with African art gives away more about her than perhaps we would like? It’s established that she’s wealthy; that’s the motive for murder. However, the African art could indicate a source of her money. It’s hard to not think this when appropriated art hangs like animal heads in a hunting lodge. It sucks.

By extension the anti-foreign sentiment is a painful reminder that xenophobia today is nothing new. Not only is it presented by many characters as a personal view “we should have an embargo on foreign wives,”, it’s expressed within the courtroom too.

Final Thoughts

An incredible film, and one all must watch but pales in comparison to another law-based Oscar contender for 1967: 12 Angry Men (1967).

Jojo Rabbit (2019) Film Review

Rating 12
Length 1h48
Release 01.01.2020
Director Taika Waititi
About Hitler Youth cadet Jojo Betzler firmly believes in the ideals of Nazism manifested by his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler. However, his foundations are shaken when he finds a Jewish girl in his house.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

Sam Rockwell portrays his character so unbelievably well. Giving enough to make you question who he might be. Or rather, hope, he is who we think he might be. The presence of doubt allows for jeopardy at important turning points in the film.

That opening with a German-language version of I Want to Hold Your Hands by the Beatles is an absolute genius choice of song, particularly when the film then doubles down with brightness and joyful “youth Hitler” camp, that mirrors the height of Beatle Mania. It’s odd, it’s juxtaposed to everything other films have represented any element of WWII, but that’s exactly why it is so clever.

There’s a visual element that’s reminiscent of work by Wes Anderson and so it gives me as a viewer my favourite part of his work, without the heaviness that I find with his dialogue and choice of music. I’m now honestly, wanting a team up between him and Waititi.

The young stars are incredible and walk the line between absolute innocence and old before their time without it feeling like Bugsy Malone. The character of Jojo is well presented and has a clear story arc and growth.

The Bad

As much as this film will make you laugh, it most definitely will counter with tears. It doesn’t hold back on the truth about Hitler’s regime, and the death, hate and destruction that comes with it.

The Nazi

Having Taika Waititi play Hitler is as powerful as the musical number within The Producers by Mel Brooks, proving yet again the best way to present the biggest evil is to poke fun and laugh.
Waititi, while scary at the end when everything has gone awry for Germany, also retains an element of a child-like tantrum seen throughout the film. I couldn’t think of anyone better to pull this off.
He’s also right; being of Jewish heritage and playing Hitler, is the biggest ‘fuck you’ to the guy. I couldn’t be more proud of him as a director, and levity aside, I cannot imagine how difficult it would have been for Taika Waititi to do this.

Final Thoughts

You have to be in the right frame of mind for this satire. I tried to watch this in 2020, and I didn’t get past the rabbit test scene. Perhaps it was that I was too deep into the Covid isolation, but I struggled and bailed. This time though, I discovered the most beautiful film that had a lot to say about love, despite the overwhelming hate all around.

Chariots of Fire (1981) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 2h03
Release 30.03.1981
Director Hugh Hudson
About Two men, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, race for the gold in the 1924 Olympics. While one runs for his faith, the other participates to leave prejudice behind.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

What an incredible film I’ve been sleeping on. It has everything that makes a biopic like this great; a rousing score, dedicated yet flawed leads and an uplifting, tear jerking ending.
Even though it’s a two lead film, there’s an incredible supporting cast who you will be as equally invested in.

The themes explored are powerful. Namely faith, success and the lengths people will go to achieve it, are as organic as the sport presented in this film. Yet, even with the two leads being of the Abrahamic faiths, it does not feel like a religious movie. Merely part of who these two men were and how it inspired, motivated and challenged them.

This film is a whose who of Star Trek and a cast of remarkable talent within English acting. It’s incredible to see these people in an early role and the only problem it raises is trying not to be distracted while you place them.

The Bad

Society in the UK is really quite shit and while it makes for excellent challenges for the leads to overcome, it doesn’t leave a good feeling at the treatment of both Eric and Harold, particularly when a lot of it is directed towards their faith.
The gatekeeping of the Olympics is not a theme isolated to this particular reenactment, which only makes this worse.

The film also presents many men, particularly those in high positions, with antisemitic views. Obviously, it’s a necessary part of the film, and the theme however it does make for a frustrating and infuriating watch.

The Ugly

Oh I cried. It’s weird how success can make you cry more than failure, but I can’t imagine many people would have dry eyes by the final act. For me it’s not about patriotism, but about the success of the individual and the effort they put in.

Final Thoughts

It’s a beautiful, uplifting film that manages to take a look into privileged lives without alienating the audience.

Sideways (2004) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h02
Release 28.01.2004
Director Alexander Payne
About A middle-aged Miles is a budding writer while his friend Jack is a soon-to-be married actor. They take a road trip through Santa Ynez Valley wine country in order to celebrate his bachelor party.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Disney+
Trailer:

The Good

It is a really well made film; the scenes are well paced and cinematography is stunning. The cast is incredible and there are some delightful scenes that do make me want to visit “win country”.

Thomas Hayden Church, as always has an excellent presence and this is no exception. Despite the fact that I hate everything about his character, I cannot fault his performance.

The Bad

The jazz music is too “elevator music” to fit the film. I love jazz, but it’s it pulling for attention rather than complimenting the movie. It’s weird; this is now the second Oscar nominated film in which I want to change out the score completely.

Gag warning. There’s a scene in which one character drinks from the spit bucket. Jesus, just no! There’s only one other film that had me this close to throwing up and that was one of the Saw movies.

The Ugly

I detest both men and so I find myself not giving a single fuck about either of their stories. Miles is a miserable dick whose pretentious views about wine has me so angry that I don’t know enough to challenge him.
Then Jack?! It shows how shitty he is, that the film manages to make me hate Thomas Hayden Church and that takes an extraordinary feat. However, using the stage week to first of all land the blowing news that Miles’ ex wife is newly married and invited to the upcoming wedding of Jack’s. Then, the whole purpose of this time away for Jack is to cheat on his fiancee. The character is almost coded as a younger man for the emotional immaturity.
It is a story that clashes so much with my own morality that I cannot enjoy the story itself. Other people might not have that problem, but I was very happy for it to be over.

Final Thoughts

A well made film, but will most likely leaving you feeling hollow. Unless of course you drink when they drink and then you won’t remember how shitty these men are.

The Hurt Locker (2008) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h11
Release 28.08.2008
Director Kathryn Bigelow
About Sergeant William James is tasked with leading a bomb disposal team during the Iraq War. But his ideologies and reckless approach towards the job gives rise to conflicts with his subordinates.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: Now TV
Trailer:

The Good

The film’s documentary style cinematography is such a brave choice. It feels like a nod to Third Cinema and allows the film to develop an intimate and raw presentation. What I do admire, is that while taking on the style of a documentary it does manage to establish itself as a work of fiction. It also manages to not feel like a propoganda film, like those made in the UK and US during WWII and Vietnam respectively.

The casting is on point. Not only in terms of our leads, but those lose too. From a Drew Barrymore moment early on, to a mid film rug pull… everyone is expendable and it keeps the audience on edge.
Jeremy Renner provides such a well rounded performance. The dangerous, maverick and the vulnerable father clash and compliment each other in a way other actors could never present with any authenticity. You knowing he shouldn’t be there, yet also knowing his skills are incredible means that your heart will be in your mouth for most of the action.

The Bad

There are few parts I struggled to follow. I think the British representatives were mercenaries rather than military. If that’s the case, were they on the same side? The British also seem to just disappear and leave the US team pinned down and in danger. Would that happen?
By extension, would a military team be as small as three men as it is shown here? I accept that they’re specialist, however for the very reason of the lack of teamwork and shift in working relationships, I would imagine a team would be much bigger and working on rotation to support the much bigger platoons?!
I think I would have benefitted from a little hand holding here. What would normally take place in the “redeployment” scene that does not take place is where I would gain most of this information but I do wish the film had taken the time to redistribute and provide context for those of us without a working knowledge of military life.

The Ugly

This film, intentional or not, shows the damage of warfare on soldiers and what I see as poor management decisions that are taken without consideration of consequence. It’s the most horrific part of the story; the team became as volatile as any of the explosives they attempt to neutralise and you have at least two members who are not in a mentally stable condition to be in that environment.
We don’t see the decisions being made, we don’t get the scene in which Jason is given his orders by a man behind a desk but their presence is heavy and it’s heartbreaking to know that those men should not have been in such high stress situations together without knowing how they would work together as team, or even whether they could trust each other. You also have a soldier who should have been sent home long before we meet him, if he should have been enrolled in the first place. These bad management decisions go on in all walks of life; bad leaders promoted, good workers overlooked. However seeing it present in a film based on real events and knowing the choices impact the body count? It leaves a shocking knot in your stomach long after the film has finished and the credits have rolled.

Final Thoughts

Certainly not an entertaining watch, and it will not leave you with the warm and fuzzies. However it is a raw, gut wrenching and captivating look at war without the traditional element of propaganda.

Scent of a Woman (1992) Film Review

Rating 15
Length 2h37
Release 12.03.1993
Director Martin Breast
About A prep school student, who is in need of money, agrees to be the caregiver of a man with visual impairment while his family is away. Unbeknownst to him, the colonel has his own agenda for the weekend.
Moon: no moon sighting
Trigger Warning: Suicide plans/ Gun Violence
Where to Watch: More 4
Trailer:

The Good

I remember Al Pacino being rated number one in a list of 100 actors and I really didn’t understand how, or why. I’ll admit, my dislike of the American gangster movie and their epically long run times, means until recently I probably hadn’t seen too much of Pacino.
Now, though?! I get it. He’s not the man with range, but he’s the man who goes all in to provide authenticity and emotional connection.

Frank’s story arc is compelling. His story provides arguments for and against assisted suicide; the struggle, the loneliness both conflict with the confidence and life that’s still fighting within Frank. How the cause of Frank’s blindness, his bitterness and position within his family and his plans for the future are drip fed to us, provides an ever shifting opinion and it makes for quite a beautiful, yet heartbreaking story.

The Bad

I’m not completely sold on Chris O’Donnell in the role, or the development of the character. What got him into the school? He said it was a bursary, but what for? What was his aim? There was mention of Harvard, but not of what he wanted to do there. We’ve got a Roary Gillmore here, but nothing about the character tells me this. Just a few changes to the character; hell, have him hold a book, taking homework with him to his first day with Frank. Something that showed me that he’s having to work harder than everyone else because he’s still having to earn his place.
Then for Chris O’Donnell, the performance is just a little too timid with not enough growth by the end of the film. It feels a little too one-note and wooden for a young man in crisis and thrown into highly tense situation with a clearly depressed man.

The Ugly

You’re trying to tell me that the Principle of that Prep school didn’t recognise those voices on the tannoy? Given that this is what the B-plot hangs one; it’s fucking stupid. I’d have had more respect if the film acknowledged that the Principle knew who it was, but that he needed someone to confirm it.
Or not have the trio so obvious, watching from the window. So much of it points to the boys and it’s frustrating to have the plot play so dumb.

Final Thoughts

Dead Poet’s Society meets About a Boy. It’s certainly a well made film that everyone should watch once in their life, but it’s more cathartic than entertaining.