Hump Day Movie Review
So since we have an extra Wednesday this month, I thought it would be fun to discuss a couple of Academy Award movie contenders I checked out at a local theatre last night. Yesterday, I turned in my October release book and decided to celebrate with a few friends. Thanks to a writing friend (my walking bud Phylis Caskey) I’ve met an eclectic mix of ladies who get together for wine every Tuesday afternoon. One’s an actress, one is a screenwriter and script editor, a few are doctor’s wives, one is from Russia, one an attorney, etc. The ages vary from 40 yrs to, well, we won’t mention age, but I love being able to visit with incredibly talented and smart women when I can tear myself away from laundry and varoius sport practices with the kids. So last night we venture out (in the really bad weather) to have a couple of glasses of wine and catch two Oscar nominated films. These reviews are my opinion and I have absolutely no credentials for reviewing other than I bought a ticket and have an opinion, darn it.
The first one was Beasts of the Southern Wild, nominated for best picture and the young actress for Best Actress. Okay, Beasts of the Southern Wild was just crazy. Short synopsis: During and After Hurricane Katrina, a young girl and her ailing father living in the community of Bathtub (?) fight to preserve their way of life, facing Mother Nature and their own repressed emotions along the way. I didn’t care for this movie at at all. For one thing the camera jerked constantly in order to bring a sense of movement and realness, but I ended up feeling horribly seasick. And then the story? Shaking my head at the whole thing. It was indulgent, and glorified poverty and rebellious people protecting their squalid life in a closed off area of coastal Louisiana as if these people had some magic secret to life, as if it was perfectly fine for a small child to live alone in order to teach her survival, to bring forth her inner beast. The acting was very solid (the young Louisiana actress was remarkable) and there was some stunnnig imagery, but it was oddly done, purposefully obscure. I hate movies like that. It’s as if the writers/director tried to make it so highbrow and “arthouse” that the convaluted result was drinking a sauzrac when you really just want a rum and coke. Pretentiousness for pretentiousness sake irritates me, and I feel the buzz exists because there is a different feel to the movie, a sort of watching a train wreck while licking acid paper feel. And as a Louisianian, I realize these odd communities do exist, but there was a mystical element given to these people who defiantly blew up levees and refused medical care…and I don’t even want to think about the way they rolled around in crab shells in a sort of joie de verve that makes little sense to me. Honestly, after it finished I needed Pepto and a bath. I’d give it a C- at best.
The second movie was saw was Silver Linings Playbook. Okay, I’ll just go ahead and say that I’m naturally biased toward this one because it’s a romance. I’m a romance writer. I like romance. So know up front this is tainted by my love for heavy meaningful glances and slight careses that make me sigh. This movie stars the oh so yummy Bradley Cooper and visually pleasing Katniss Everdeen, oops, I meant Jennifer Lawrence. Though Bradly Cooper didn’t take his shirt off, I still loved the movie. Simple with clean lines, this little black dress of a movie washed the taste of Beasts of the Southern Wild from my mouth. Here was my rum and coke. You don’t have to do a lot when you have a good script, piercing emotion, a connection with the audience and pristine acting. Jennifer Lawrence was gritty and real in her portrayal of a woman grieving…and dealing with depression. Bradley Cooper was convincing as a man struggling to deal with being Bi-Polar while trying to win his wife back. The supporting cast, including Robert Dinaro had me laughing, relating and rooting for puzzle pieces to fall into place. It’s a romance, but even more so, it’s a celebration of overcoming failure and holding fast to what can make our days tolerable….no, happy. Great date movie…or girlfriend movie. Guys with a sensitve side will enjoy this look into the life of characters dealing with mental illness and heartbreak. If your man thinks Rambo is the best movie ever, leave him at home. I give this one an A-
The Academy Awards will be televised live on Sunday, February 24th on ABC. Will you be watching? What’s your favorite part of Oscar night?
Jan 30, 2013 @ 08:59:49
I don’t think I’d like Beasts either. I don’t enjoy movies that think too highly of themselves. It’s like when my son uses big, obscure words in his school papers because he thinks they make him sound smarter. Instead they just make his writing harder to read.
SLP is on my list to rent when it comes out, and now I’m looking forward to it even more.
Your group of women sounds fascinating! Thanks for the reviews.
Gwen Hernandez recently posted..The best bad grade I ever got
Jan 30, 2013 @ 09:02:55
Yes, it’s getting extreme buzz and the girl (odd name I’d have to look up but they call her Nayzie) is the youngest nominee for Best Actress ever. She’s really good in the movie, but it felt too indulgent to me and there is this imagery thing they do with this prehistoiric pig beasts that’s just bizarre. It’s definitely interesting, but I’m not sold on how wonderful it is. The buzz word is poetic and I suppose if you’re a TS Eliot fan, you’d be good with it. I tend to like Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay so not my cup of tea at all.
But SLP was very well done.
Liz Talley recently posted..The Nerd Who Loved Me
Jan 30, 2013 @ 09:11:51
I wouldn’t see a movie like Beasts if it were free and running on my living room television! Just not my kind of movie. I want to have fun when I see a movie. Laugh, enjoy the mystery, or the action or whatever. Movies that “think too highly of themselves” or try to send a message are on my “do not watch” list. Also on that list are movies that make no sense or make me cry.
Now, SLP sounds like a movie I WOULD enjoy. Yes, yes, I’m a romance writer. I LOVE a good romance movie. I’ll be looking forward to see that one.
Thanks for the reviews. Now I know ones to avoid!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 09:17:47
That sounds like such a blast!!!
I’ve never even heard of the first movie, but it doesn’t sound like something I would want to watch.
SLP tho? I’m ready for that one. I know I’m going to love it and not because i’m a romance author. *cue Animaniacs* … Hellloooo Bradley Cooper.
Keri Ford recently posted..Your 30 Dress and Shoes
Jan 30, 2013 @ 09:59:56
I don’t usually watch the Oscars (Can’t pry the remote outta the hubster’s hand) but I’m always interested to hear what movies are nominated. I’ll add SLP to my watch list!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 10:29:48
I do not enjoy movies that leave me feeling depressed and out of control. I saw a 20/20 on Beasts and knew it was just that kind of movie. I was impressed by the father and daughter character combo. In “real” life, he is a food vender in New Orleans. The producers brought him in to meet the young actress to see if she wanted him to play her dad. She said she chose him because he brought her candy.
Girl after my own stomach, um I mean heart. From the clips, I agree that she is a talented little girl. Maybe I can buy in to her next movie.
SLP sounds like a great opportunity to curl up with a blanket and a white chocolate mocha while hubs and the kids vacate the homestead. Good luck with that, huh?
Great reviews! And what a fun group of ladies!
Jan 30, 2013 @ 10:34:14
Yay for fun movies. I do enough thinking the rest of the time.
Kari Lynn Dell recently posted..And Then There Was the Time….
Jan 30, 2013 @ 12:55:08
Glad I’ve given you some insight into some movies you’ve not heard of before. Honestly, I’m not an independent movie fan. I know that is some people’s thing, but I usually like mainstream because, well, I’m a mainstream kind of gal. I will say that Bradley Cooper looks remarkably ordiinary until the dance competition. There’s one shot of him standing near the dance floor looking for Jennifer Lawerence that will make you want to slap ya momma.
Jan 30, 2013 @ 17:15:54
I always love hearing what real people think about these movies! Both of these are critical darlings, so that made me wary. Definitely avoiding Beasts, thank you.
I’m on the fence about SLP, too. I’ve loved Bradley Cooper since his Alias days, and I’m a Jennifer Lawrence fan. Also love romance and comedy threaded with serious topics. But two things stop me: I avoid mental illness in my entertainment (probably because of my mother’s issues) and…he’s an Eagles fan!
Natalie J. Damschroder recently posted..Get My Signature on Your E-Books
Jan 30, 2013 @ 21:31:25
More than the movies, I love that you got to be with such wonderful friends. Yes, I’ll avoid The Beast movie, but give Silver Lining a try as I love Bradley Cooper. More movie reviews, Liz, you’re so good at them!
Donnell recently posted..Help! I’ve Lost My Noodle