Thoughts on the Oscars

The Hurt Locker wins Best Picture. James Cameron never got a chance to get up on stage, the King has been replaced with a Queen. There were ten very deserving nominees for Best Picture, any one of them could have taken home the gold. The Hurt Locker is a great movie, and fits in perfectly with the 81 other films that have won Best Picture.

I predicted 17 out of 24 categories correctly, same as last year. Some great speeches, some surprises. I’m very disappointed that Up in the Air went home empty handed.

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were both very funny, but the best joke of the night has to go to Tyler Perry, who said, “People keep coming up to me saying ‘I loved you in The Blind Side’, uh, no, that wasn’t me.” There were the predicted dance numbers, and they were all pretty good, except for the moment when they started robot dancing to the beautiful score of Up...

Very happy for both of Up’s wins, score and Best Animated. Pete Docter and Michael Giacchino were both wearing Grape Soda bottle caps - I wore mine as well.

There was a good tribute to horror films - some good, some otherwise. Wait, is New Moon a horror film? Was I the only one that saw that brief clip?

I loved the tribute to John Hughes, and the In Memoriam segment. James Taylor was amazing. Touching. moving and beautiful. So many great talents lost - may they rest in peace.

Overall, it’s been a great night. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. You can see my full thoughts on all the winners here.

-John C.

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Oddly, the same as last year, I again predicted 16 out of 24 correctly - 2/3 of the categories. That is the same percentage, approx. 67%, as wins-to-noms for the winner The Hurt Locker tonight. I guess I'll try to hit 20, or approx 83% next year...

Overall, I am happy with most of the awards, although was kind of surprised to see Avatar win Cinematography. I am really happy with both of the music winners, The Weary Kind for Best Song, and Up for Best Score. Both categories had great contenders in them, although out of the Best Score, I think Avatar was my least favourite - it just wasn't memorable to me. It was interesting to see Avatar go home with only 3 awards, speaking of which, I have tallied the percentages of awards won by each film that picked Oscars up tonight below:

In the main categories where most films garner more than one nomination, the winner percentages are as follows (their percentage rankings are to the left of the winners name):

Tied for 1. The Hurt Locker - 6/9 - 67%

Tied for 5. Avatar - 3/9 - 33%

Tied for 5. Precious - 2/6 - 33%

4. Up - 2/5 - 40%

Tied for 1. Crazy Heart - 2/3 - 67%

9. Inglourious Basterds - 1/8 - 12.5%

8. Star Trek - 1/4 - 25%

Tied for 5. The Young Victoria - 1/3 - 33%

3. The Blind Side - 1/2 - 50%

Percentage wise, they are ranked quite differently as you can see. Congratulations to Crazy Heart for winning the same percentage of nominations as The Hurt Locker. ;)

The Hurt Locker was clearly the winner of the night, and Avatar has to share 5th place, for percentage of noms won, with two other films... And I suppose my over-catergorizeation is getting rather obsessive right now, so I shall save you the rest of my different ways of ordering the films... Interesting line-up though. And to think in all 43 films were nominated... Wow.

And in the categories that usually have films only nominated once, so they win 1/1…

Tied for 1. Foreign Language - El Sevreto de Sus Ojos - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Documentary Feature - The Cove - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Documentary Short - Music by Prudence - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Short Film Live Action - The New Tenants - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Short Film Animated - Logorama - 1/1 - 100%

There's really no fun ordering the percentages there... They all tied out at 1.

And that just about wraps up the season for another year. Hope you all enjoyed it, and I'll probably update this post in the morning with a few more thoughts, since it's kind of late now. Good night!

- Erin V.

Live Coverage of The 82nd Annual Academy Awards!

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards are on tonight. It’s been a great Oscar-season, and it is hard to believe it’s almost over.

The telecast starts at 8:00 PM EST, on CTV and ABC, the actual awards ceremony starts at 8:30. We will be having live updates during the telecast, so keep it tuned to One Movie, Five Views.

Get a full list of nominees here. We will be updating this post with the nominees as they are announced, winners will be in bold. I will also be including my commentary on the wins and losses.

I hope you’ll all be watching the Oscars. After all, the only thing more exciting than watching the Oscars on TV is actually being in attendance. The only thing more exciting than that is being called up on stage!

-John C.

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Nominees and winners for The 82nd Annual Academy Awards!

1 - Actor in a Supporting Role:

Matt Damon-Invictus

Woody Harrelson-The Messenger

Christopher Plummer-The Last Station

Stanley Tucci-The Lovely Bones

Christoph Waltz-Inglourious Basterds

-It's a bingo!

2 - Animated Feature Film:

Coraline

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Princess and the Frog

The Secret of Kells

Up

-Great win. Gonna be hard to top Pete Docter's acceptance speech. Loved the video of all the nominees.

3 - Music (Original Song):

Almost There-The Princess and the Frog

Down in New Orleans-The Princess and the Frog

Loin de Paname-Paris 36

Take It All-Nine

The Weary Kind-Crazy Heart

-Great movie, great song.

4 - Writing (Original Screenplay):

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The Messenger

A Serious Man

Up

-First win for The Hurt Locker, en route to probable Best Picture.

5 - Short Film (Animated):

French Roast

Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty

The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)

Logorama

A Matter of Loaf and Death

6 - Documentary Short:

China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Teaars of Sichuan Province

The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner

The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Music by Prudence

Rabbit à la Berlin

7 - Short Film (Live Action):

The Door

Instead of Abracadabra

Kavi

Miracle Fish

The New Tenants

8 - Makeup

Il Divo

Star Trek

The Young Victoria

-Star Trek had great make-up - but presenter Ben Stiller's Na'Vi costume was amazing.

9 - Writing (Adapted Screenplay):

District 9

An Education

In the Loop

Precious

Up in the Air

-First surprise of the night. Hopefully Up in the Air doesn't go home empty handed.

10 - Actress in a Supporting Role:

Penélope Cruz-Nine

Vera Fermiga-Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhaal-Crazy Heart

Anna Kendrick-Up in the Air

Mo’Nique-Precious

-Five very deserving contenders, but alas, Mo'Nique was destined to win. Great acceptance speech.

11 - Art Direction:

Avatar

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

Sherlock Holmes

The Young Victoria

-Avatar's first win - of the night.

12 - Costume Design:

Bright Star

Coco Before Chanel

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

The Young Victoria

-Another period piece wins in this category - loved the acceptance speech.

13 - Sound Editing:

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Star Trek

Up

-Very deserving - The Hurt Locker's 2nd win. Love the description of both sound categories.

14 - Sound Mixing:

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Star Trek

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

-Very deserving - The Hurt Locker's 3rd win.

15 - Cinematography:

Avatar

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The White Ribbon

-Avatar's 2nd win. Touching acceptance speech.

16 - Music (Original Score):

James Horner-Avatar

Alexandre Desplat-Fantastic Mr. Fox

Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders-The Hurt Locker

Hans Zimmer-Sherlock Holmes

Michael Giacchino-Up

-Michael Giacchino - one of the best composers working today - has finally been recognized with a much deserved Oscar. Both Michael and Pete were both wearing Grape Soda bottle caps - so am I.

17 - Visual Effects:

Avatar

District 9

Star Trek

-Avatar wins. Three very deserving nominees, but best on a budget has to go to District 9.

18 - Documentary Feature:

Burma VJ

The Cove

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Food, Inc.

Which Way Home

-A powerful, important film. Maybe now everyone will hear what the filmmakers had to say.

19 - Film Editing:

Avatar

District 9

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious

-The masterful editing made for a powerful experience.

20 - Foriegn Language Film:

Ajami

El Sevreto de Sus Ojos

The Milk of Sorrow

Un Prophète

The White Ribbon

-El Sevreto de Sus Ojos pulls an upset over Un Prophète and The White Ribbon.

21 - Actor in a Leading role:

Jeff Bridges-Crazy Heart

George Clooney-Up in the Air

Colin Firth-A Single Man

Morgan Freeman-Invictus

Jeremy Renner-The Hurt Locker

-The Dude abides! - Jeff Bridges wins Best Actor. Very deserved - great acceptance speech. So glad he didn't get cut off.

22 - Actress in a Leading Role:

Sandra Bullock-The Blind Side

Helen Mirren-The Last Station

Carey Mulligan-An Education

Gabourey Sidebe-Precious

Meryl Streep-Julie & Julia

-The first person ever to win an Oscar and Razzie on the same weekend. She's very deserving of both awards. She gave an amazing speech.

23 - Best Director:

James Cameron-Avatar

Kathryn Bigelow-The Hurt Locker

Quentin Tarantino-Inglourious Basterds

Lee Daniels-Precious

Jason Reitman-Up in the Air

-The first woman ever to win a Best Director Oscar.

24 - Best Picture:

Avatar

The Blind Side

District 9

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire

A Serious Man

Up

Up in the Air

-Ten very good films - one very deserving winner.

Predictions for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards

Below are two of our writers predictions for what will win at the Oscars on March 7th. Come back tomorrow night for live coverage of the telecast.

Last year I correctly predicted 17 of the 24 categories at the 81st Academy Awards. Below are my predictions for what will win tomorrow night at the 82nd Academy Awards. Some are educated guesses, and some are just that, guesses.

The Best Picture race is between Avatar and The Hurt Locker, and I think The Hurt Locker will end up winning. It is definitely the stronger of the two, and a downright excellent movie, but I still think it would be great if Up in the Air won. Kathryn Bigelow should and will win Best Director, becoming the first woman ever to do so.

-John C.

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading role - Jeff Bridges-Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role - Christoph Waltz-Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock-The Blind Side

Actress in a Supporting Role - Mo’Nique-Precious

Animated Feature Film - Up

Art Direction - Avatar

Cinematography - Avatar

Costume Design - Bright Star

Directing - Kathryn Bigelow-The Hurt Locker

Documentary Feature - The Cove

Documentary Short - The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Film Editing - The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film - The White Ribbon

Makeup - Star Trek

Music (Original Score) - Michael Giacchino-Up

Music (Original Song) - The Weary King-Crazy Heart

Short Film (Animated) - A Matter of Loaf and Death

Short Film (Live Action) - Miracle Fish

Sound Editing - Star Trek

Sound Mixing - The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects - Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Up in the Air

Writing (Original Screenplay) - Inglourious Basterds

Here is my ranking of the Best Picture nominees:

I have organized the 10 Best Picture nominees into order of my personal preference. Though I must add that these are ten very deserving films. Any one of them could be the winner - and I’d be okay with it. My top 3 are all practically on the same level, but my number one is elevated just above the top, because of one particular sequence...

-John C.

10 - Precious - ***1/2 - Excellent, with some great performances, but overrated.

9 - Inglourious Basterds - ***1/2 - Another very good film from Quentin Tarantino.

8 - The Blind Side - ***1/2 - An uplifting sports movie, with some very good performances.

7 - Avatar - ***3/4 - Though far from perfect, and not the best movie of last year, as a piece of entertainment, I loved it.

6 - District 9 - **** - A thought-provoking piece of contemporary sci-fi.

5 - An Education - **** - A wonderful film.

4 - A Serious Man - **** - A serious masterpiece.

3 - The Hurt Locker - **** - This comes in a very close third. An amazingly tense and powerful achievement.

2 - Up in the Air - **** - This comes in a very close second. The acting, writing, and performances are all impeccable. Jason Reitman’s third-great film.

1 - Up - **** - Pixar’s latest masterpiece. Not only was it my favourite movie going memory of ‘09, but nothing in any of the Best Picture nominees was quite as emotionally powerful as that opening montage.

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Last year I guessed 16 out of 24 correctly. I am hoping for 20 this year. Below are my guesses for each of the categories.

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading role - Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role - Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Actress in a Supporting Role - Mo’Nique - Precious

Animated Feature Film - Up

Art Direction - Avatar

Cinematography - Inglourious Basterds

Costume Design - The Young Victoria

Directing - Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker

Documentary Feature - The Cove

Documentary Short - The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Film Editing - The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film - The White Ribbon

Makeup - Star Trek

Music (Original Score) - Michael Giacchino - Up

Music (Original Song) - The Weary King - Crazy Heart

Short Film (Animated) - A Matter of Loaf and Death

Short Film (Live Action) - Miracle Fish

Sound Editing - Up

Sound Mixing - The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects - Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Up in the Air

Writing (Original Screenplay) - Up

And next are my ranking of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture.

10. Precious - ***3/4 - The more I think back on this film, I think of it as closer to 3 1/2 stars now. I guess it deserves it's spot on the list, but it's not one of my top ten of the year.

9. An Education - ***3/4 - A nice quiet film, although I didn't like it quite as much as I had hoped. The acting by was what carried this film.

8. Inglourious Basterds - ***1/2 - More of a set piece than a historical film, but it was made with a love of cinema and has it's moments that make it worth checking out.

7. Avatar - ***2/3 - Slightly over hyped, and compared to Cameron's last film, Titanic, this film is not even close. As a blockbuster though, loads of fun.

6. District 9 - **** - Not one you'd watch over and over again, but one I am glad to have seen at least once. It really made me feel for it's characters.

5. The Blind Side - ***3/4 - A feel-good film that tells an inspiring true story. I put it just above District 9 as it is one that I would be more likely to want to sit through again.

/3. The Hurt Locker - **** - A brilliantly suspenseful film. A truly emotional look at war.

\3. A Serious Man - **** - A darkly funny look at a man trying to live a serious life.

2. Up in the Air - **** - An important film for a time of recession.

1. Up - **** - One of Pixar's masterpieces. And one of the most well-rounded and emotional films of the year.

- Erin V.

The Best Movies I Saw in 2009

By John C.

There were many great movies released last year. 2 Months ago, I published my list of the top 11 worst movies I saw in 2009, and it came to my attention that I still haven’t formally published what I thought the best movies of last year were. I saw many great ones, animated and live-action, and I know what my favourites were. But why is it always so much easier to assemble a formal list of bad movies? I could rethink this list, or wait until I see another small gem of last year on DVD, but as of now - Oscar weekend, these are the films that have stuck with me throughout the 2009 movie-going season.

It breaks my heart to leave off such fine films as Brothers, Crazy Heart, Everybody’s Fine, Goodbye Solo, The Hangover, Victoria Day, and 9, not to mention Best Picture nominees The Blind Side, Inglourious Basterds and Precious, to name but only a few of the other movies I quite enjoyed.

But alas, the making of a list is always heartbreaking. These 20 films I have picked are perhaps the ones that I am most looking forward to watching again, or perhaps the ones that have left the longest lasting impression after only one viewing.

Tomorrow, the Academy will announce their pick for the best movie of ‘09, so without further adieu, here are the top 20 movies I saw last year + an honourable mention for best achievement from a new director. But still, this is only scratching the surface of the so many great films released last year. They are organized in alphabetical order.

(500) Days of Summer - One of the best rom-com’s in recent memory.

Avatar - Though far from perfect, and not the best movie of last year, as a piece of entertainment, I loved it.

The Boys: The Sherman Brother’s Story - A heartfelt, moving look at the famed Disney songwriters.

The Brothers Bloom - Quite simply a masterpiece.

Coraline - An incredibly well-crafted stop motion film.

A Christmas Carol - A great adaptation of a classic story - an animated masterpiece.

Departures - An emotional masterwork.

An Education - A wonderful film.

Fantastic Mr. Fox - A lovingly-crafted stop motion film from director Wes Anderson.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - A stunning achievement, a near masterpiece.

The Hurt Locker - An amazingly tense and powerful achievement.

The Informant! - A brilliantly written and acted film from director Steven Soderbergh.

Is Anybody There? - A touching film, with an excellent performance from Michael Caine.

One Week - A Canadian masterpiece.

The Princess and the Frog - An instant classic, with an awesome soundtrack.

A Serious Man - A serious masterpiece.

Star Trek - Tons of fun.

Up in the Air - Jason Reitman’s third, great film.

Up - Pixar’s latest masterpiece. Not only was it my favourite movie going memory of ‘09, but nothing beat that opening montage.

Where the Wild Things Are - Great movie.

Honourable mention for best achievement from a new director:

District 9 - A thought-provoking piece of contemporary sci-fi. It just doesn’t make my list, perhaps because of the graphic-grossness, but it was one of the finer achievements of last year. It’s hard to believe it was only director Neil Blomkamp’s first feature film, and it was a stunning debut.

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Up in the Air (10 of 10)

Up in the Air was released in theatres on December 4th, and is coming to DVD on March 9th. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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Up in the Air Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

On the surface, audiences might see this film is an enjoyable romantic-comedy. The truth is, it is funny. On the flip side, though, it’s a thought provoking, powerful and moving meditation on our times.

Real people lose their jobs, and what may be harder to remember is that the people firing them are also human. They do what they do for a living, and shelter themselves from the real world perhaps because they aren’t proud of being the bearers of bad news. Ryan takes comfort in the world of loyalty programs and one night stands, almost afraid to connect, because he knows best of all that with one surprise trip to the office it can all be over. The false loyalty of the airports won’t go away, as long as he continues to fly. He’s constantly connecting with people, but never actually making connections.

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Up in the Air Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I loved the movie Up In The Air. It is a very powerful film that gives you something real and important to think about. It was nice to see that some of the people in the movie playing those who've lost their job are people that actually have gone through downsizing. All of the acting in the film is great, and the music fits well, as do the songs, (which are unfortunately not eligible for Best Song at the Oscars). All three of Jason Reitman's directed films thus far, (Thank You For Smoking, Juno, and Up In The Air), I have really liked. They all are shot in a quiet, subtle, and touching way.

Up In The Air is high up on my top 10 list of this year, and I hope to see it pick up some awards at the Oscars. Everything about this movie makes it worth seeing.

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Up in the Air Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Up in the Air is a funny and touching movie with a good message about relationships.

I really liked Up in the Air. Everything about this movie worked for me. The acting, the score, the screenwriting, and the cinematography all fit together perfectly. The story is timely, in a world of recession, where greed and personal gain is rampant.

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Up in the Air Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Up in the Air is an intelligent and funny movie with a heart. The scenes where clients are being layed off are touching and believable. Director Jason Reitman has taken a difficult and timely topic and brought it to our attention in a light-hearted yet serious manner.

Having gone through a corporate downsizing many years ago, Up in the Air had meaning for me. What makes this film so likable is the witty dialogue and the excellent cast.

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Up in the Air Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Up In The Air is Jason Reitman’s third and best film to date. Like his other movies, it handles a dark subject with great wit and charm, exemplified by George Clooney and the rest of the cast. So many brilliant elements make it a strong contender for the year’s best film.

The inspired decision in the firing scenes to enrich the scripted professional cast with a number of really fired people improvising their actual responses provided some of the most moving moments in the film.

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Consensus: From the acting, directing and writing, Up in the Air is an impeccable film. Though it is sadly no longer the front runner for Best Picture, it will likely win a very deserved Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Up (9 of 10)

Up was released in theatres on May 29th, and is came to DVD on November 10th. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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Up Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

One of the main themes in Up is, sometimes you have to let go of your past, in order to make new memories. In one of the films most touching scenes, Carl reads the scrapbook that Ellie had made when she was a kid. The scene is emotional and heartbreaking, yet full of love and hope. One of my favorite images in the film is a shot of two chairs standing up beside each other. It's an animated film, but it moved me to tears, and will likely be the most touching film to come out this year.

Up is perhaps Pixar’s most affecting work to date, both emotionally and comically. There is never a false note in this film.

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Up Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I absolutely loved this movie. At it’s core, this movie has emotional heart, and that is the true beauty of Pixar.

Pixar does not let us down with this latest effort. Everything about this movie works. The voice acting is all spot on, with great performances from Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, newcomer Jordan Nagai, and Bob Peterson in the main roles. Michael Giacchino's score is also absolutely beautiful to listen to, and the animation, as always from Pixar, is breathtakingly gorgeous to look at. A beautiful movie about love, loss, knowing when to letting go, and the adventure of our everyday lives. One of Pixar’s most emotional and mature outings to date, Up is destined to become a classic.

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Up Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Up is an exciting , and very touching film about two unlikely friends on an adventure. Up is a great action-adventure film with a lot of heart. Despite how the film is being advertised, Up is not just a kids movie about cute talking dogs.

The story is both whimsical and sweet, the animation is great, and the score by Michael Giacchino fits every emotion in this film perfectly. Up is one movie that the whole family, especially grandparents, will enjoy.

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Up Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Up is an absolute gem from Pixar. This movie is heartwarming, touching, exciting and funny from start to finish. The movie wraps up with a satisfying and touching ending. I had tears in my eyes when Carl realizes that sometimes you have to let go to move on.

The animation is excellent in Up. The voice acting is great and I especially enjoyed Michael Giacchino’s score throughout the movie. Up is a must see for the young and old alike.

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Up Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Pitched merely as a comedy, Up is really a sweet story that will leave much of the audience in joyful tears. Like all their others, Pixar’s 10th feature is much more than a vehicle for lucrative tie-ins with Disney toys and collectibles.

My greatest joy came in the Michael Giacchino musical score. In action sequences it reminded me of Mussorgsky, while its main motto theme, reminiscent of the best Nino Rota scores for Fellini films, was a waltz tune that underwent numerous transformations, such as a lightening of texture down to a single slow piano line as Ellie’s last days are remembered.

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Consensus: Up is Pixar’s latest masterpiece, and an incredibly moving and entertaining film. Only the second animated film to be nominated for Best Picture, Up is not going to win, but its nomination is very deserved. **** (Out of 4)

Revisit some Oscar nominated films...

Well, Oscar weekend is once again upon us, and this past Tuesday, just in time, Alliance Films released two double feature DVD’s of Oscar nominated films.

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The first set includes No Country For Old Men (2007), and Gone Baby Gone (2007).

No Country For Old Men was nominated for 9 Academy Awards, and won for Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem), Directing (Joel & Ethan Coen), Best Adapted Screenplay (Joel & Ethan Coen), and the coveted Best Picture.

Gone Baby Gone was nominated for 1 Academy Award.

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The second set includes Brokeback Mountain (2005), and Milk (2008).

Brokeback Mountain was nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, and won for Directing (Ang Lee), Music - Original Score (Gustavo Santaolalla), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana).

Milk was nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, and won for Best Actor (Sean Penn), and Best Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black). You can read our Milk DVD reviews from last year here.

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So, now’s the time to catch up on some previous winners/nominees in the spirit of the Oscar season. Enjoy!

- Erin V.

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee A Serious Man (8 of 10)

A Serious Man was released in theatres on October 16th, and came to DVD on February 9th. You can read our full DVD reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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A Serious Man Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

A Serious Man is brilliantly comedic, and darkly brilliant. Both overtly religious and profoundly poetic, it’s rare to see a film of such subject matter even get a semi-mainstream release. Some may find the last scene to be annoying or confusing, but I thought it was brilliant genius.

Very deserving of its Best Picture nomination - A Serious Man is a serious masterpiece.

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A Serious Man Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

This is one of the best films of last year, a fact that was recognized by the Academy with a well deserved Best Picture nomination. The acting is all solid, the music fits really well, and the story is executed with classic Coen style. I would definitely recommend you checking this one out. It’s a dark comedy, and not everyone will enjoy it as much as I did, but it is well worth at least checking out for yourself.

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A Serious Man Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The Coen Brothers have returned with this quirky and funny comedy. With a hilarious story, great writing, and lots of quirky characters, it’s no wonder this comedy has been nominated for Best Picture.

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A Serious Man Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

What works for A Serious Man is the low key, quirky humour. Each of the characters are so well written and really fun to watch. The acting is top notch. A Serious Man was fun to watch in the theatre but is the kind of movie that you can watch more than once and always get more out of it each time. It’s not surprising A Serious Man is nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

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A Serious Man Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

With a brilliant script, excellent mainly Jewish cast and every detail of 1960s suburbia lovingly reproduced, A Serious Man is full of wit and a joy to watch, another triumph from its quirky writer/directors.

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Consensus: A Serious Man is another great dark-comedy from the Coen brothers. Though it’s not actually going to win, it’s very deserving of its Oscar nomination for Best Picture. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire (7 of 10)

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire was released in theatres on November 20th, and is coming to DVD on March 9th. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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Precious Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

The amazing performances and powerful storyline, keep the film grounded in it’s harsh reality. It’s hard to watch, but it’s also sometimes hard to look away. It's at times quite disturbing, but it's also not devoid of all hope, and that's what keeps us watching.

Though I’m not sure if it’s because of the film’s limited budget, or just a stylistic choice, the shifting camera angles, constant close-ups, and shaky cam served as a bit of a distraction.

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Precious Review By Erin V.

***3/4 (out of 4)

The movie Precious: Based on the Book Push by Sapphire, is a powerful movie indeed. What it isn't though, is this years Slumdog Millionaire - at least for me.

Overall, this is a very good movie. The importance of literacy as a path to freedom, as shown in this film, ring very true in the real world. While parts of it are hard to watch, it is worth seeing.

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Precious Review By Nicole

***3/4 (out of 4)

Precious is a powerful film. While often hard to watch, I couldn't pull myself away form this film. The acting in this film is extremely believable. Newcomer Gabourey Sidebe is amazing as Precious. The other actors are just as good. Precious is a movie that, while telling such a dark tale, offers hope to all those who survive poverty and abuse.

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Precious Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Precious is a powerful film that is very difficult to watch, but even more difficult to ignore.

If you can get past the emotionally difficult subject matter, then this is a must see film. There is excellent acting throughout and a really powerful story in Precious.

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Precious Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

With brilliant performances directed by Lee Daniels in a relentless documentary style, it is a disturbing portrayal of life at its worst, from which there can still come some hope. Most will find it appropriately disturbing, if not put off by the rough language.

Precious came out at about the same time as The Blind Side. With its feel good success story, the latter film has already suffered in comparison, unjustly in my opinion, since it is much more accessible and based on a true story, while watching Precious, a fictional composite of the worst cases the author encountered in her work with inner city youth, felt like an obligation–much harder to take, like medicine. Both films in their own ways are highly recommended.

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Consensus: Precious is a very well acted, if difficult to watch and mildly overrated, drama. Though it was at one point the front runner, Precious simply did not gain enough momentum. It is unlikely that it will actually win Best Picture. ***1/2 (Out of 4)