(Almost) Oscar Movie with Abe: We Need to Talk About Kevin

We Need to Talk About Kevin
Directed by Lynne Ramsay
Released January 13, 2012



This film scored Tilda Swinton Golden Globe and SAG nods for Best Actress, but couldn’t make it all the way to Oscar. It’s understandable, since this film is about as dark as it gets, following the run-up to and aftermath of a horrible mass murder committed by one woman’s teenage son and how it affects her life. “We Need to Talk About Kevin” digs deeper than having a child snap because of his unpopularity at school, instead focusing on how, even from a young age, Kevin (Ezra Miller) seemed to have it out for his mother Eva (Swinton). It’s a deeply upsetting, disturbing chronicle presented in such unchronological fashion that it’s hard to believe that Eva was ever happy. Swinton, as always, is excellent, and Miller’s terrifying performance, as well as that of Kevin’s two younger portrayers, Jasper Newell and Rock Duer, are equally strong. The film is less focused, examining tragedy with a lens perhaps too narrow and bleak for its own sake. It’s nonetheless a compelling film, and worth a see for those not prone to nightmares.

B

Oscar Movie with Abe: A Separation

A Separation
Directed by Asghar Farhadi
Released December 30, 2011

This Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film and Best Original Screenplay very much earned its mentions. Its fascinating first scene features a woman, Simin (Leila Hatami) pleading with an uninterested judge for a divorce from her husband Nader (Peyman Moadi). As the film progresses, however, it becomes much more than that, following the aftermath of Simin’s departure and the arrival of a caretaker, Razieh (Sareh Bayat) to watch over Nader’s father, who has Alzheimer’s, and his young daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi). This is easily one of the most gripping non-thriller dramas produced by any country in recent years, investing in each one of its characters without offering a clear opinion on whether their actions and motivations are good or bad, pure or evil. The performances are magnificent all-around, particularly from the unhappy couple but also from Bayat and Shahab Hosseini, who plays her jobless husband Hodjat. In addition to telling an intriguing story, “A Separation” offers a bleak picture of the Iranian justice system, presented literally in the form of one impatient judge sitting at a desk. “A Separation” is genuine, honest, and utterly captivating.

A-

AFT Awards Begin February 1st!

Now that the Oscar nominations have been announced and the Golden Globes and SAG have handed out their awards, it’s time for this blogger to give out his honors! The 5th Annual AFT Film Awards will include upwards of twenty-five categories, including the traditional Oscar categories and some extras, such as limited performance and cast performance, concluding with the best scenes of the year and the top 25 films of 2011. Check back staring Wednesday, February 1st for category announcements up to three times a day, followed by Oscar winner predictions beginning at least a week before Oscar night. Thanks for reading, and please offer your thoughts on my nominees – and those I left out – in the comments of each post!

Final SAG Winner Predictions

Tonight on TNT and TBS, we have one of the major precursors to the Oscars. There are only five categories, with a handful of few nominees that weren't present at the Golden Globes here, though it’s unlikely that any of them would shake up the race. The main aspect of tonight that’s important is that the comedy and drama thespians are put in the same category, with Jean Dujardin taking on George Clooney and Michelle Williams in the race with Meryl Streep and Viola Davis. Best Ensemble Cast is honestly up in the air, and unless it’s “The Artist,” shouldn’t much of an effect on the Oscar race. TV predictions can be found here.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
George Clooney (The Descendants)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Christian Bale
Christopher Plummer (Beginners)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Help

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture

The competition: The Artist, Bridesmaids, The Descendants, The Help, Midnight in Paris

For your information: “The Help” has three performers nominated, “The Artist” has two, and “Bridesmaids” and “The Descendants” each have one. All but “Bridesmaids” are nominated for Best Picture at the Oscar, and “The Artist” and “The Descendants” triumphed for Best Picture at the Golden Globes.

Who should win: “The Artist,” but “The Help” is a good choice too

Who will win: It could be anyone, but I think “The Help” will prevail.

Saturday Night Movie Recommendations with Abe

Welcome to a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I'm going to be providing a handy guide to a few choice movies currently playing in NYC as well as several films newly released on DVD. I’ll also aim to comment on those films I have not yet had the chance to see, and I invite you to add in your thoughts on any films I haven’t seen in the comments below. Understandably, some weeks will have considerably fewer releases to address than others.

Now Playing in NYC

The Grey (recommended): This thriller essentially functions as a vehicle for Liam Neeson to be awesome as his oil rig worker and companions are chased through the snowy Alaskan wilderness by wolves following a plane crash. It’s a lot of fun, and quite a stressful experience. Now playing in wide release. Read my review from yesterday.

Albert Nobbs (mixed bag): This Oscar-nominated film features a calculated performance by Glenn Close and a humorous one from Janet McTeer, but the film itself isn’t quite certain what tone it wants to take and suffers as a result. It’s worthwhile from the performances, but that’s about it. Now playing in limited release. Read my review from its December Oscar-qualifying release.

New to DVD

Happy, Happy (highly recommended): This Norwegian entry for Best Foreign Film is a fascinating and rich tale of two couples living in adjacent homes whose interactions are less than honest and sincere. It’s a great foreign small-ensemble drama, and definitely recommended for anyone that doesn’t mind subtitles.

50/50 (recommended): This Golden Globe Best Picture nominee is a sometimes funny, sometimes serious film about dealing with a diagnosis. Joseph Gordon-Levitt got a Globe nod for Best Actor, but Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard, and especially Anna Kendrick are terrific as well in this rich and enjoyable dramedy.

The Whistleblower (recommended): This disturbing drama is based on the true story of a Nebraska cop who went to Bosnia in 1999 to become a UN peacekeeper and discovered an excessive amount of human trafficking going on in the area. It may be unsettling, but it’s a strong, powerful film. It also pairs well with Angelina Jolie’s “In the Land of Blood and Honey.”


Now on Netflix Instant Streaming

Babel (mixed bag): I wasn’t overly fond of this multilingual 2006 Best Picture nominee, but it’s probably worth a look.

Beware the Gonzo (recommended): This high school movie about a loser uprising may not be wholly creative, but still serves as suitable entertainment. Ezra Miller stars in a role far lighter than the one he plays in “We Need to Talk About Kevin.”

Billy Madison (mixed bag): This is nowhere near my favorite Adam Sandler film, but I know it has its fans.

In the Mood for Love (recommended): This Wong Kar Wai film was one of the first films I watched in my freshman year Intro to Cinema Studies course. Even though it may not be a typical narrative, it’s fascinating in its own right.

Margot at the Wedding (mixed bag): This Noah Baumbach follow-up to “The Squid and the Whale” (he’s since done “Greenberg”) was depressing and without any sort of air of positivity, intriguing but ultimately off-putting.

1984 (recommended): This film adaptation of the classic novel was actually released in 1984, and it’s a strong cinematic realization of a dystopian story.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (highly recommended): This 1975 Best Picture winner is considered to be one of the best films in recent decades, and it definitely is. Jack Nicholson is at his best, and look out for young actors like Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif, and Danny DeVito in the cast as well.

Primal Fear (mixed bag): Though its plot isn’t as strong as it should be and the others actors can’t compare, there’s no denying Edward Norton’s brilliance in his first feature film role as nervous altar boy Aaron. It’s a riveting performance.

Revenge of the Electric Car (recommended): This follow-up to 2006's "Who Killed the Electric Car" spotlights four different producers of electric cars as they battle to forge ahead and help change the way the automobile industry works. It's an energizing, engaging film with an invigorating narrative and smart editing.

Serenity (highly recommended): This sequel to the beloved “Firefly” TV series is a must-see film for any fan, and it’s actually considerably more frightening and thrilling than I had expected. Definitely required viewing.

Shane (recommended): This 1953 Western is one of the classics, and it’s definitely a typical 1950s Western, featuring two main characters and a great hero-villain story.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (mixed bag): This was among the less memorable of the six movies in which Jude Law appeared in 2004, aiming for styled homage and coming up a bit short.

The Terminator (highly recommended): This classic sci-fi film is definitely campy, but it’s what spawned an epic saga and really launched the career of one Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s less about the action and more about the post-apocalyptic end-of-the-world attitude.

Young Frankenstein (highly recommended): This is one of Mel Brooks’ best films, featuring exceptionally funny performances from Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and especially Marty Feldman. One of the funniest movies and strongest parodies I’ve ever seen.

Movie with Abe: The Grey

The Grey
Directed by Joe Carnahan
Released January 27, 2012

When an actor’s face dominates the entirety of a movie poster, it’s fair to assume that much of the film relies on the strength of that actor’s abilities. In decades past, Liam Neeson turned in fine performances in films as diverse as the Oscar-winning drama “Schindler’s List” and the generally-despised “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” and recently, he has become known as the go-to guy to play the man you don’t want to mess with, capable of skillfully causing immense physical harm with little more than his bare hands. “The Grey” is a perfect vehicle for that Neeson persona.

Neeson firmly establishes his awesomeness within the first fifteen minutes of the film, as his suicidal rig worker and fellow members of his dream barely survive an intense Alaskan plane crash. Neeson’s Ottway literally talks a man through his death, telling him that he’s going to die and that he just has to let it wash over him. From that point on, nothing can intimidate Ottway, though that’s not the case for the ragtag bunch that surrounds him, which includes Frank Grillo as the prickly Diaz, Dallas Roberts as the kindly Hendrick, and Dermot Mulroney as the nervous Talget.

Any kind of wandering survival movie has its villains in nature, and, with one cold attack exempted, “The Grey” chooses to focus exclusively on wolves as the danger posed to the crew as they struggle to head south. While the wolves don’t necessarily make for a bad constant threat, it is a bit too focused, leaving off what could have been more compelling reasons for the group to fall apart. Director Joe Carnahan has previously made the excellent drama “Narc” and the fabulous action flick “Smokin’ Aces,” and this occasionally exciting wilderness thriller is hardly as compelling as either of those films.

“The Grey,” however, is a furiously stress-producing film that keeps its audience on the edge of their seats – sometimes with faces covered – as the group led by the incomparable Neeson/Ottway trudges through miles of white snow, just waiting for the next vicious wolf attack. It may hardly be the next great drama or the next great thriller, but for anyone who wants to see Neeson try to outsmart wolves and generally be about as much of a badass as possible, “The Grey” is exactly what was ordered. It may be ridiculous and far-fetched, but there’s no debating that it’s not fun.

B

SAG Winner Predictions: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

The competition: Berenice Bejo’s bubbly actress (The Artist), Jessica Chastain’s loony housewife (The Help), Melissa McCarthy’s energetic bridesmaid (Bridesmaids), Janet McTeer’s closeted painter (Albert Nobbs), and Octavia Spencer’s sarcastic maid (The Help).

For your information: McTeer was nominated in 1999 for “Tumbleweeds,” and this is the first nomination for the other four. All five actresses are nominated for their work in the ensembles of their films as well. This category has had two nominees from one film four times in the past five years, and only one did one of them win, and that was last year, when Melissa Leo triumphed for “The Fighter.”

Who should win: Bejo or Chastain, but this is a great list!

Who will win: Probably Spencer, but McCarthy is an unpredictable force!