I am not a film snob. Yes, I adore film and appreciate it, but I haven't seen every film on the "[insert very important organization who knows everything there is about film] and has a list of films that only 'true' film connoisseurs would love." Just because I haven't seen every film on AFI's Top 100, etc., does not make me any less of a film fan nor does it warrant others to judge my love of film or my opinion on certain films. Let's all just enjoy the movies, shall we? And respect each other's opinions.
Anyway...This time of year is very exciting for films because...it's awards season! Now, of course only a select number of people get to vote on certain awards for certain groups, but I still get excited to see which films and people connected to those films get the honor of being recognized for their work-especially when it's a film I connected with! The Academy Award and Golden Globe morning announcements are like my NFL Draft. So I was kind of disappointed I missed the Globes announcement. Did it even air this year? I know it was supposed to be announced around 7 AM Central last Thursday, but found nothing on TV, but here I am going off on another tangent...
Side Note: It drives me nuts how every year, columnists say "there's no clear front-runner this year-unlike years past." Then why is it, every year, you say the same thing? Following some of the nominees that have been announced for the Globes, SAG and Critics Choice (among others), I'd like to disagree and point out that the clear favorite this season is The Artist. I've only had a chance to watch a handful of clips and the trailer, but it appears to be a refreshing entry: Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.
I've also noticed who's being passed over during this competitive time-some of my favorite films of the year. And so...if this wasn't long winded enough, here are a few highlights from this year's film offering-that (in my opinion) deserve to be recognized:
Andy Serkis as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes & Patrick Doyle, composer
Sure, Serkis received a much-deserved nomination from the Critics Choice, but the chances of him getting an Oscar nom are very low. It's unfortunate some voters don't fully understand how much goes into motion capture acting. Serkis has become somewhat of a motion-capture actor pioneer for films such as Avatar, and every time, he gives it his all. Caesar is no exception.
It's important for me to note, that I was a little aprehensive about another Ape movie. I'm a huge fan of the originals (spawned from Pierre Boulle's novel) and it appears filmmakers/producers/companies keep rehashing old franchises. It gets old. But after viewing the european trailer, I was intrigued, and went to the film. I'm so glad I did! Caesar is such a "real" character, and I found myself really gravitating to him. Surprisingly, I found myself tearing up the most when he is allowed to climb a redwood tree-a time lapse device to show him grow into an adult. Why? Because the music by Patrick Doyle! It soars, to aches, it triumphs. Both of these guys deserve to be recognized for making a great movie grand.
Alan Rickman as Professor/Head Master Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 & Alexandre Desplat, Composer.
Viewers/readers of the Harry Potter franchise have grown up wondering if Snap is really all that bad, when something unspeakable happens in book 6, it throws some for a loop. This film pulls everything together. It's never easy turning a massive book into a film, and the filmmakers have done an incredible job. This film (and Part 1) has some of the best acting from its young actors in the entire franchise. But it is Rickman who steals the spotlight! Give this guy some recognition, already.
Another thing I don't particularly like about awards season, is how some really good action/fantasy films get passed over (yes, I know, sometimes they don't, see The Lord of The Rings). The entire team of Harry Potter truly deserve to be recognized for their work in this final chapter in the Harry Potter film series.
Music Note: Another scene that totally gets the waterworks going because of the excellent execution of music (courtesy of Alexndre Desplat): Harry, Ron and Hermione running through the courtyard whilst everything and everyone around them is being destroyed.
Super 8, written by J.J. Abrams, composed by Michael Giacchino.
Another action/adventure/fantasy film that deserves some love because, well, it's a love letter to film making. It has everything: heart, laughter, redemption, coming to terms with what life brings you, all while bringing back memories to those who made super 8 films or home movies when they were younger. The music is also another outstanding piece (composed by Michael Giacchino) that-along with the incredibly acting abilities of the young cast-makes this nostalgic film pure magic.
