Happy Belated New Year

This is the first post in 2018 and I wanted to make it a nice one. The Reason?  Not just a Hoobastank song but sometimes life and things get in the way.  I've been busy going back to school part time, and work has been silly.   Anyway, in addition to that, the 90th Academy Awards are coming up and I decided to watch every single best picture nominated film along with a few others and write about it.  I had to space these out between homework and annoying responsibilities and relationships thus, it took a while but at last, here we are. I will split this into two posts because I read an article saying people won't read stuff if there's too many words.  Except when it comes to dating, people like things nice and short.  Therefore, in no particular order, my short responses to last year's best movies (according to the Academy). 

1. Get Out

Jordan Peele 's directorial debut of a smart and socially aware thriller. Who knew Meegan had so much talent?  This won't win for this category but if anything, hopefully opened the eyes of those who participate in subtle conscious and unconscious racism.  Stereotypes are the conclusions that frightened and lazy people arrive at.  They don't have a consistent logical foundation and these ideas are often passed down; ideas like Black people are dangerous or audiences don't want to see Black movies, or Black movies don't make money, things like that.  In fact, I remember this being the first mainstream "Black movie" to get people talking and beginning to appreciate the contributions of Black voices in media.  I would put this as a strong front runner for best original screenplay.  

2. Darkest Hour

Gary Oldman does it again and if he wins the Oscar for Best Actor it would be very well deserved.  His transformation into Winston Churchill is amazing and in my opinion, why this was nominated for Best Picture.  Other than Oldman, this movie offered nothing exceptional and  didn't stand out in any way.  Except that the pacing was slow and.it really felt it dragged on quite a bit, I felt all 125 minutes of it.  Unless you realllly enjoy history and get excited at Churchill calling FDR on the phone for support, maybe watch this movie as a last resort.   

3. The Post

Another movie with terrific acting and an interesting story.  Like Darkest Hour, is deals with real life historical events but unlike Darkest Hour, it does not put the viewer to sleep.  The timing of this movie could not be any better and could not be any more relevant.  Presidents willingly lying to the country for profit (political or otherwise) and the lengths they will go to  to prevent the press from releasing said information to the public. The line between civic duty and patriotism become gray and facing backlash and punishment, Kay Graham does what is just and changes history.  I wonder why it is that not many people (myself included) did not know about her and what she and her team accomplished.  This woman is an American hero and Meryl Streep is a strong candidate for Best Actress.  This is a decent contender for Best Picture but it should not win (even though it has a Mr. Show reunion and was directed by Spielberg).       

4. Lady Bird

2017's Juno.  This movie missed me and I can't tell what all the excitement is about.  It's a unique coming of age story of a young girl from a troubled family growing up in Sacramento.   Saoirse Ronan did a really good job, I was surprised to find out she is actually Irish, she has the American accent down.  Roseanne's sister I thought was ok and nominated for Best Supporting Actress.  She is who clashes with Lady Bird the most and maybe that is why this movie is a big deal?  Maybe it depicts that mother/ teenage daughter relationship in a realistic way.  I'm not sure, I could not relate to this movie but again, good performance.  It would be cool if they had a scene where they revealed that Lady Bird was Andy's step sister and moved in after he went to college.  We would then be able to see how time and children have changed Andy's mom to infinity and beyond.  

5. The Phantom Thread 

I would have hated to be a critic who had to watch this movie with Darkest Hour.  They may be equally as boring but this period piece at least has a slightly more interesting topic.  I think, Daniel Day Lewis will take home the Oscar for Best Actor.  He was exceptional playing this genius designer that is most likely on the Autism spectrum.  The character's smallest mannerisms and voice intonations were very impressive.  The story itself, not so much.  It felt like the first 80% of the movie happens so that PTA could put on film what happens in the last 20%.  I fear that this movie could justify and encourage some women's choices that are based on them thinking they can change a man.  If you are one of those people please do not watch this movie.  Again, not sure why this was nominated for Best Picture, other than it is Daniel Day Lewis' final film as an actor (he's retiring).  Overall, this is more of an interesting story than an interesting movie.