2016 Best Picture Oscar Contenders

"2016 Best Picture Oscar Contenders"

1.    A United Kingdom - An upcoming British period biopic directed by Amma Asante and starring David Oyelowo (Selma) and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl). The film is based on the true-life romance between Seretse Khama King of Botswana and his wife Ruth Williams Khama. who was forced to renounce the throne after marrying a white English woman, causing uproar at home in the U.K. and in neighboring apartheid-era South Africa.

2.    Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk -  A young man, recently home from Iraq, who learns he'll be returning to Iraq while being hailed as a war hero at a Dallas Cowboys game. Central Cast. Ben Platt - Vin Diesel - Chris Tucker Why it could be big: It also includes Steve Martin to Kristen Stewart (seriously, just click on the IMDB link above and look at it). There's also director Ang Lee, who's won Best Director twice — for Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi, but never Best Picture. Plus, the Iraq War has receded enough into memory that movies about it could become Oscar favorites, as happened with World War II and Vietnam.

3.    Genius - A biographical drama about legendary book editor Maxwell Perkins (Colin Firth), co-starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law (as Thomas Wolfe), Dominic West (Ernest Hemingway) and Guy Pearce (F. Scott Fitzgerald).

4.    Hacksaw Ridge - an upcoming American war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Gregory Crosby, Robert Schenkkan, and Randall Wallace. The film stars Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Hugo Weaving, Ryan Corr, Teresa Palmer, Richard Pyros and Rachel Griffiths. Based on the true story about US Army medic Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector who refused to bear arms, yet was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for single-handedly saving the lives of over 75 of his comrades while under constant enemy fire during the brutal Battle of Okinawa in World War II.

5.    Jackie - The days of First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, in immediate aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963. Natalie Portman as Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis, Caspar Phillipson as President John F. Kennedy, Peter Sarsgaard as Robert F. Kennedy, Max Casella as Jack Valenti, Beth Grant as Lady Bird Johnson, and Julie Judd as Ethel Kennedy, wife of Robert F. Kennedy.

6.    La La Land – Drama, Romance, Musical & Comedy – Directed by  Damien Chazelle (Whiplash), in this modern take on the Hollywood musical from Damien Chazelle, the Academy Award-nominated writer and director of "Whiplash," Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.

7.    LBJ - An upcoming American political drama film directed by Rob Reiner and written by Joey Hartstone. The film stars Woody Harrelson (LBJ), Richard Jenkins, Bill Pullman, Kim Allen, Michael Stahl-David, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Donovan, Doug McKeon, and Michael Mosley. The story of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson from his young days in West Texas to the White House.

8.    Loving - This courtroom drama covers Loving v. Virginia, the 1967 Supreme Court ruling that made interracial marriage legal throughout the US. So it's a courtroom drama and a love story — both genres the Oscars often find irresistible. Why it could be big: See above re: genre. Loving is also from director Jeff Nichols, whose Take Shelter and Mud have landed just short of the Oscars in the past but have been in the conversation for several other prizes. (Mud also proved a surprise box office success.) Between this and Midnight Special, a sci-fi film coming out in March, Nichols could have quite the year.

9.    Manchester by the Sea - A searing family drama about a man who returns to his hometown to confront the weight of his grief, Kenneth Lonergan's new film debuted at Sundance to the kind of reviews that make film fans salivate. It also boasts performances from previous Oscar nominees Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, as well as the much-liked Kyle Chandler. Why it could be big: Intelligent adult dramas about people feeling their feelings are hard to pull off. But when they work, the Oscars tend to notice. Think of Ordinary People or Terms of Endearment or even American Beauty; all were big winners, and Manchester could join them.

10. Money Monster - George Clooney plays a bombastic TV personality who is taken hostage during a live broadcast by a man (Jack O’Connell) irate after one of his bad stock tips. Co-stars include Julia Roberts. Jodie Foster directs.

11. No Title Yet - Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Flight, Forrest Gump and Castaway) - This takes place during World War II. The desert. Brad Pitt. Marion Cotillard. Romance. Also Jared Harris from Mad Men. We don't know much about this project, but on paper it sounds very Oscar-friendly.

12. Passengers - When a man on a gigantic spaceship that takes generations to travel between stars wakes up from cryogenics due to a malfunction, he decides to wake up one of the women passengers as well, in the most duplicitous Adam and Eve story you'll ever see. Why it could be big: The guy? Chris Pratt, who's poised for an Oscar breakthrough after huge turns in franchises galore. The woman? Jennifer Lawrence, the biggest star in the country. This movie will make money hand over fist, and having director Morten Tyldum (of Oscar favorite Imitation Game) behind the camera won't hurt.

13. Queen of Katwe - An upcoming biographical drama film directed by Mira Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler. The film is about the life of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy who becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her performances at World Chess Olympiads.

14.  Silence - What it is: Directed by Martin Scorsese, Silence is about Jesuit priests in 17th-century Japan who encounter both persecution and seemingly insurmountable cultural differences. It stars Liam Neeson and is based on a book. Why it could be big: I actually had this film on my predictions last year, with the caveat that it might not come out in 2015 — and it didn't. But the Oscars always watch Scorsese closely, and Neeson is primed for another nomination. (He hasn't landed one since Schindler's List in 1994).

15. Snowden - Based on Luke Harding's recent book, "The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man" details the most spectacular intelligence breach ever, brought about by one man Edward Snowden who was 29-year-old computer genius working for the National Security Agency when he shocked the world by exposing the near-universal mass surveillance programs of the United States government and the threat to individual privacy.  Directed by Oliver Stone (Born of the 4th of July, Platoon, Nixon and JFK), the cast includes Tom Wilkinson, Nicolas Cage, Melissa Leo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Timothy Olyphant, Zachary Quinto and Shailene Woodley.

16. Sully - Tom Hanks plays Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who famously landed a doomed flight in the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone on board. Clint Eastwood Directs this.

17.The BFG -  Steven Spielberg takes on Roald Dahl's classic children's novel about a Big Friendly Giant, complete with a script by his old E.T. collaborator Melissa Mathison and a giant played (via motion capture) by Mark Rylance, who just won an Oscar for Spielberg's Bridge of Spies.

18. The Birth of a Nation - Actor Nate Parker turns director to bring the story of Nat Turner to the screen. Turner led a slave rebellion in 1831, after traveling with his owner showed him the scope of slavery in the South. The film's title — which apes one of the most influential (and racist) films ever made — is very much intentional. Why it could be big: Though reviews out of Sundance (where the film premiered) weren't uniform in their praise, those who loved The Birth of a Nation loved it with the sort of intensity that often nods toward a major Oscar player. Fox Searchlight ponied up $17.5 million for the rights to the film, a new record, and then scheduled it for October 7, a fairly Oscar-friendly release date. Plus, its subject matter and diverse cast will help alleviate the Academy's biggest problem.

19. The Founder - Finally, there will be a film biography of Ray Kroc, the man who built McDonald's into an empire. (Importantly, Kroc was not the fast food chain's founder, making the title all the more intriguing.) Michael Keaton will play him.

20.The Girl on the Train - A woman becomes obsessed with a younger woman who lives in a house she sees every day as she passes on the train. Bad, bad things happen. Starring Emily Blunt and directed by or Tate Taylor who previously enjoyed Major Oscar success with his 2011 film The Help.

21.  The Light Between Oceans - This one's about a World War I veteran and his wife who move to a remote Australian lighthouse and raise the baby girl they find cast up on shore one day as their own.  Why it could be big: Director Derek Canfranc’s Blue Valentine didn't prove a massive Oscar hit, but it did receive a crucial nomination (for Michelle Williams's performance). And "sweeping period drama" — which The Light between Oceans certainly qualifies as — is something the Oscars often enjoy. Plus, stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander (Oscar Winner), and Rachel Weisz (Oscar Winner) are all either previous winners or nominees.

22. The Story of Your Life - The acclaimed science fiction story by Ted Chiang about establishing contact with aliens via learning the aliens' language comes to the big screen, with five-time nominee Amy Adams front and center. Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker also star. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario & Incendies) when alien crafts land across the world, a linguist expert is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat. As she learns to communicate with the aliens, she begins experiencing vivid flashbacks that become the key to unlocking the greater mystery about the true purpose of their visit.

23. The Witch - This period piece horror movie, dripping with menace, has received tremendous reviews for its story of a family who encounters something terrible. In 1630 New England, panic and despair envelops a farmer (Ralph Ineson), his wife (Kate Dickie) and four of their children when youngest son Samuel suddenly vanishes. The family blames Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), the oldest daughter who was watching the boy at the time of his disappearance. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, twin siblings Mercy (Ellie Grainger) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson) suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, testing the clan's faith, loyalty and love to one another.

24. The Zoo Keepers Wife - In an upcoming British-American war drama film directed by Niki Caro and written by Angela Workman, based on the non-fiction book of same name by Diane Ackerman. The film stars Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty), Johan Heldenbergh, and Daniel Brüh (Inglorious Basterds) . A true story about the Warsaw Zoo keepers couple Antonina Żabińska and Jan Żabiński, who saved many human and animal lives during the World War II by hiding them in animal cages.

25.  Zootopia - A smart ambitious rabbit and a sly street smart fox team up "Crockett and Stubbs" style to unravel a criminal conspiracy in a city where animals do people things in this new animated Disney film.

Red Highlighted Films 10 Strongest Contenders

Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice

Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice

In the latest DC Comics effort to saturate the superhero movie market, we now have this week the release of “Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” starring Ben Affleck as “Batman” and British Actor Henry Cavil who reprises his role as “Superman” from his 2013 “Man of Steel”, that also co-stared Amy Adams as Daily Planet journalist and Superman love interest “Lois Lane”.

It's been nearly two years since Superman's (Henry Cavill) has his colossal battle with General Zod (Michael Shannon) of Krypton who came to Earth and devastated the city of Metropolis in his pursuit to kill the Son of Jor-el.  In that 2013 effort we saw enormous loss of life and collateral damage that left many mortal humans feeling angry and helpless by Superman’s almost ‘God Like” power including crime-fighting billionaire Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Convinced that Superman is now a threat to all of humanity, Batman embarks on a personal vendetta to end Superman’s reign on Earth, while at the same time the conniving “Lex Luthor” played by Jesse Eisenberg launches his own diabolical crusade against the Man of Steel for his own enrichment of money and power.

MY REVIEW: First as an action film “Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” is visually very fun to watch during its 2:30 minute running time. HOWEVER, if I told you I just made a movie about myself – yes me Lester, whereby the opening scene involves me coming down in a daze in the middle of the night towards my kitchen. And as I proceeded to continue to walk in my almost zombie like state towards my kitchen, I move towards the stove turning on the gas for the oven dropping to my knees to stick my head in the door where I begin to eat a large slice of pepperoni pizza and simultaneously begin to recite Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”. 

Meanwhile, with my legs exposed from the oven’s door  two women are giving me a pedicure on one foot and a foot massage on the other, while in the living room my soon to be ex-girlfriend is sitting on my couch watching TV. She is watching a recording of a "Best of Jerry Springer Show Marathon" eating a large bowl of creamy “mac and cheese”, but in fact is not really “mac and cheese”. Instead because she was too tired to take the time to simply boil the necessary water for the pasta, she substituted a large bag of Lays Cheese Puffs that she smothered in two cans of Cheese Wiz as she puts it “makes a tasty creamy alternative”. Now, you would say after reading this scenario “What the hell Lester”?

Well, that’s what I said while watching “Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice”………...what the hell. I mean it is never really boring to watch, but my kitchen oven scenario made as about much coherent sense as this multi-million dollar high pricey effort. And while my story is easy to visualize from the way I wrote it, it fundamentally makes no sense to tell it as a big picture action thriller plot for people to spend that much time viewing it.

Now, I never tell people not to watch a movie; so in this case if you really want to see this “Batman vs Superman” clash I do recommend you should watch it when it comes to your cable provider as a simple matter of convenience and cost.

HOWEVER, if I find out you actually drove to a theater and dropped $50 in tickets and food concessions to see this, I promise I will drive to your home in the middle of the night dressed in a full black Ninja out-fit. I will break in your home very quietly and stealthy proceed to move upstairs to where you are sleeping and begin to use a Louisville Slugger baseball bat to hobble your legs just like Kathy Bates “Annie Wilkes” did to James Caan’s “Paul Sheldon” in the film adaption of the Stephen King’s book “Misery”………………….just because it would make about as much sense as "Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice" did. And yet I have no doubt this film's sequel is in the works as we speak and read. Amazing.

1 – 3/4 Stars  

Eye in the Sky - Review

Eye in the Sky

“Eye in the Sky” starring Dame Helen Mirren (my wife in a previous life) is a current day military officer named Colonel Katherine Powell. She is an established tough minded officer who early one morning from her home gets word ground intelligence has had a sighting of a long pursued British-born woman who has converted to Islam and moved to Africa to become an active radical terrorist.  

Expeditiously, Powell gets dressed in her uniform and arrives at her North of London base of operation where she is in command of a top secret joint American drone operation to capture terrorists hiding and operating in Africa. But upon her arrival at the bunker operation new updated remote surveillance intelligence that is corroborated with on-the-ground intelligence, reveals her target is now planning to strike with massive suicide bombings that is about to occur very, very soon.

Powell quickly discerns her initial mission has moved from a simple raid of capture and extradition to now an escalated operation for a potential “kill" order. But just when the order is given early on to move away from a capture to now engaging the enemy with a targeted missile strike, Nevada based American drone pilot Steve Watts (Aaron Paul) discovers an innocent civilian nine-year old girl has entered the kill zone radius. This dilemma of civilian casualties immediately triggers an array of moral, ethical, military, strategic, legal and technical disputes and questions between all level of higher ups encompassing the entire globe in both the US and British levels of government. This leaves Colonel Powell in a ticking clock lurch for an immediate answer to her dire and urgent question which is to either kill or not kill before the loss of life of hundreds of innocent civilians.

   .

REVIEW: Initially the decision seems to be an easy call by obtaining the necessary approval from the British higher-ups to letting the Americans take out the terrorists. But Director Gavin Hood raises legitimate questions with real hair raising tensions that is heightened by the robust verbal exchange of probative questions and answers that are jousted about by the respective layers of authoritative decisions makers from room to room, phone to phone and hotel to hotel all in an intricate weave of various foreign locals.

“Eye in the Sky” has an excellent and smartly executed screenplay that is strongly rooted in modern warfare lingo as well as political and lawyer speak. What hampers it somewhat from being a perfect film is that the same well written dialogue sometimes felt like it went over and over some of the same areas of concerns for purely manipulative exaggerated melodrama affect whereas to embellish the emotional and moral quandary as to “what should we do”.

There is no escaping the narrow undercurrent of the films political vein that runs through its plot, but it’s impact is minimum as it never really gets in the way of the films overall strength and goal of projecting gripping intrigue.  “Eye in the Sky” is a thoroughly engaging, riveting and provocative drama, bathed quite believably in real time strategic intelligence of what, when and how decisions are made every second of the day as we civilians unknowingly go about our routine days more preoccupied with texting, eating ice cream at the mall and going to the movies.  

Ultimately, “Eye” is solidly sober and solidly sharp about the nature of global threats we read and hear about every day, but sometimes soon forget when something minimally comes along to take our thoughts away from the gloomy aftermath of death and destruction.  It also showcases very well the quiet and stealthy crucial role western societies must constantly be vigilant in gathering intelligence as the critical means of helping those officials and officers into making the right and tough decisions that always seems to intersect at the crossroads of security, legalities and ethics.

But the larger message of the film was so eloquently stated by the fine and late British Actor Alan Rickman when he says……..”Once the decision is made, no one ever gets to question a soldier the cost of war”.

3 – 3/4 Stars

10 Cloverfield Lane - Review

10 Cloverfield Lane

One of my favorite character actor John Goodman known more for his supporting roles as Dan Connor on the hit TV show “Roseanne” and Walter Sobchak in “The Big Lebowski, gets the rare turn as the feature lead in the mysterious psychological drama with the overly benign pedestrian title called “10 Cloverfield Lane”.

At the onset, we see a young woman named “Michelle” who we find in her apartment and is moving frantically about as she is obviously distressed by something that has happened in her personal life. In short order we see her driving her car on a dark narrow road and in a flash we find her chained to a basement wall. What happened? Well, I can’t tell you; and this is as much as I can say other than if you want to know more, then go see the movie.

My review: Directed by newbie Dan Trachtenberg, he delivers a fresh movie that essentially is designed to get your unbridled unwavering attention from the get go and man oh man does he do it exceptionally well. Not with visual explosions, car chases, excessive violence or anything that would cause you to creep out per-se with bloody gore. No, Trachtenberg goes after one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body – the meandering imagination of one’s mind.

Throughout the 1:45 minute running time I thought I had 10 Cloverfield Lane figured out. Nope, I was dead wrong as it took me through some familiar paces from previous films I had seen in the past such as Russell Crowe’s recent “Noah’s Arc”, Kathy Bates deranged “Misery”, a smidgen of the old 1960’s TV show “The Twilight Zone” and finally a bit of legendary film Director Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window”, in regards to someone being a captive by their own imaginative mind to what they think they are seeing verses actually knowing what is true.

10 Cloverfield Lane is a mix of all of these previously mentioned films but in no way will lend you a single clue as to what the plot’s conclusion will be, as it takes the viewer though the horrors of abduction, the effects of having and living a “Bunker Mentality” (having a state of mind bathed in defensiveness and self-righteous intolerance) and “Stockholm Syndrome” (a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express irrational empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors). And yet with good pacing “Cloverfield” messes with your mind each frame as it’s none of these things? Or maybe it is all of these things. Again, you will have to see the movie to know for sure.

What I can share what the film is definitely about, is plenty of a psychologically terrifying and frightening enough trip to get in your head with some excellent stage craft, infused with well executed precise raw tension, timely emotional humor, good energy, some white knuckled scary jolts and an authentic squirming un-predictableness to its very claustrophobic atmospheric end.

Structurally, it is an excellent film with not a single hic-cup other than a small matter in regards to the film’s “Michelle’s, played wonderfully by the actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who uses some very unexpected “creative skills” to figure a way to turn the tables in her favor while in the bunker.

Don’t miss seeing this, as it takes you down a familiar path while avoiding a whole range of potential clichés. Instead it is a highly imaginative smart mind twist effort that you won’t see anything coming.

Here’s to hoping they make an “11 Cloverfield Lane”. Maybe they will, but again maybe they won’t. You will have to see the film for yourself to be sure.

4 Stars

Triple 9 - Review

Triple 9

If I told you I was going to see a film where the cast was so impressive that it included three former Academy Award nominees, another Academy Award Best Actress winner, another actor who was in three Academy Award nominated for Best Picture films, another actor who was in two Academy Award nominated for Best Picture films and another actor currently in one of the most popular and successful shows on cable TV ever, you probably would be wondering aloud who are these actors and secondly when is this movie coming out?

Well, to answer the first part of that question the cast included Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Clifton Collins Jr., Norman Reedus (AKA “The Waking Dead”) , Teresa Palmer, Michael K. and Gal Gadot……………… Very Impressive huh? And now to answer the second part of that question, the film was released yesterday on Friday and it is called “Triple 9”.

“Triple 9” (police code for an office is shot – usually seriously) is a police thriller that takes place in current day Atlanta Ga. From the onset the director tries not to hide the basic fact his film’s core story is from the point of view of “a crew” of former military soldier’s, now big city cops who are just dirty to their very core. But their reason for being dirty is that they are blackmailed by a Russian Jewish Mafia Moll named Irina Vlaslov (Winslet), who is a former Israeli citizen now US citizen who runs a kosher meat processing company as a ruse for her illegal criminal activities.

Essentially, Irina Vlaslov is demanding “the crew” do something for her they can’t refuse, which is to execute a virtually impossible heist where she needs something at a heavily guarded US Homeland Security storage facility. The “crew” reluctantly decides that the only way to pull this daring heist off is to get all of the local Atlanta police moving away from their intended crime heist location by manufacturing a 999 police code for "officer down – killed”.

Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie (Affleck) who is designated to be killed take matters into his hands along with the help of his street smart police cop uncle (Harrelson) , setting off a breakneck action-packed, double-crossed, greed infuse and a twister of a revenge plot in the running time of 1:55.

MY REVIEW: “Triple 9” has some good moments that are titillating, compelling, edgy, dark and very gritty. And while it also has a well-executed shootout and car chase scene to keep you glued to your seat, its problem, should you be inclined to see something at the theater this weekend, it is heartless and it is murky gaudy incoherent heartless at that. Meaning? Well, you really don’t find yourself rooting for or against anyone because the director doesn’t really do a very good job of making the film concise and taunt and in the end you really don’t care what the ultimate conclusion will be when it comes, especially when you can pretty much see the ending coming a mile away.

Now if a somewhat over the top violent, blood soaked with some occasional well place  gallows humor film is your thing, than “Triple 9” will do the trick. As it does not bore you for one minute from beginning to end.  And while it has just enough moments of sanity that allows you to believe this story is a genuine possibility (almost), it will leave you feeling this was a whole lot of double cross effort for what?

I guess because I love crime films a lot and have been spoiled by the likes of some classic criminals and cops films like “Heat”, “Collateral”, “Training Day”,  “Seven”, “The Departed”, “Man on Fire” and “Reservoir Dogs” to name just a few, “Triple 9” is like having a late night craving when your girlfriend calls saying she is coming over with your favorite pepperoni with extra cheese pizza only to find out she bought the pizza at the frozen food section at the local food store. It’s still pizza but just not as appetizing and delicious as you had anticipated it would be.

2 – 3/4 Stars

Lester's 2016 Oscar Winning Predictions

 Lester’s 2016 Oscar Winners Predictions

                              SW = Should Win & WW = Will Win                                      

Best Supporting Actor (SW) - Mark Rylance – “Bridge of Spies”

Best Supporting Actor (WW) - Sylvester Stallone – “Creed”  (LOCK)

Possible Surprise (s) - Mark Rylance – “Bridge of Spies”

Best Supporting Actress (SW) - Alicia Vikander – “The Danish Girl”

Best Supporting Actress (WW) - “Alicia Vikander – “The Danish Girl”  

Possible Surprise (s) – Rooney Mara 

 

Best Lead Actress (SW) -  Brie Larson - “Room”

Best Lead Actress (WW) – Brie Larson - “Room”  LOCK 

Possible Surprise (s) - None

 

Best Lead Actor (SW) – Leonardo DiCaprio – “The Revenant”

Best Lead Actor (WW) – Leonardo DiCaprio – “The Revenant”   LOCK

Possible Surprise (s) – None  

 

Best Director (SW) - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu – “The Revenant”

Best Director (WW) - Alejandro Inarritu – “The Revenant”  (Close)

Possible Surprise (s) - Adam McKay - Tom McCarthy - George Miller 

 

Best Picture (SW) - “Room”

Best Picture (WW) - “The Revenant”    (Very Close)  

Possible Surprise (s) - “The Big Short” & “Spotlight” - 3 Way Race

Technical Categories              

·       Best Adapted Screenplay –  “The Big Short”

·       Best Original Screen Play –  “Spotlight” (LOCK)

·       Best Animated Feature – “Inside Out” (100% ABSOLUTE LOCK)

·       Best Cinematography – “The Revenant”  

·       Best Costumes Design – “Cinderella” (Close “Mad Max”)

·       Best Documentary - “Amy” 

·       Best Documentary Short Subject – “Body Team 12”

·       Best Film Editing – “Mad Max: Fury Road”

·       Best Foreign Film – “Son of Saul” (LOCK)

·       Best Make Up / Hairstyle – “Mad Max: Fury Road” 

·       Best Production Design – “Mad Max: Fury Road”

·       Best Original Song – “Till It happens to You” – “The Hunting Ground”

·       Best Original Score – “The Hateful Eight”

·       Best Sound Editing – “Mad Max: Fury Road”

·       Best Sound Mixing –  “Mad Max: Fury Road”

·        Best Visual Special Effects – “Mad Max” (Close “Star Wars”)

·        Best Animated Short Film  – “Sanjays Super Team”

·        Best Live Action Short Film – “Ave Maria”                                                      

Deadpool - review

Deadpool

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Ed Skrein, and Brianna Hildebrand the people at Marvel Comics bring to life one of their manty characters in this case one of the more unconventional anti-hero oddly named "Deadpool" which is in reference to a game he like to play with his best friend who owned a local bar.

Essentially, the story is about a former American Special Forces operative turned street level mercenary Wade Wilson. One day while spending time with his girlfriend “Vanessa” (Morena Baccarin) “Wade” passes out only to discover he has a terminal illness. Seeking out all options he chooses an unusual rogue remedy experiment that not only cured him it also has given him accelerated healing powers, but at the terrible price of his handsome looks leaving him permanently disfigured esthetically. Angered by his “fried skinned” looks, Wilson aka “Deadpool” who is now armed with new super abilities takes out on a dark and twisted sense of humor pursuit by hunting down the man who destroyed his personal life with any chance of him ever getting back with the love of his life Vanessa.

Review: “Deadpool” is not a simple black and white tale of revenge, instead it a compilation of many things starting with being very funny with a foundation mix  at times with smart and clever retorts  that also sometimes overly burden the pace of the film with those same retorts by being a bit obnoxious and needlessly juvenile.  The thing that keeps it moving at a reasonably entertaining pace is the charm and charisma of Ryan Reynolds imagining of “Deadpool” who makes his character authentically real and funny as his seemly delivers some of the most imaginative combination of profanity obscenity slurs you will ever here or have heard before. You can genuinely sense him smirking his very smart-aleck persona through his red mask.

With an abundance of recycled special effects fight scenes that seemed to be a mix of “The Matrix” and any of the “X Men” films, “Deadpool” is still some good old fashion basic Saturday going to the movie entertainment as it takes us through the 1:45 minute running time of some very cheeky, wisecracking, perversely violence and sometimes very sweet subplots. It also takes us through some of the most politically incorrect scenes I have seen and heard in a while. And while the film’s structure seemed uneven at times from a story development perspective it is never boring.

Minor spoiler: There are two cameos in this film, one I won’t reveal and one I will. The one I will reveal is that of legendary Broadway veteran Leslie Uggams who played a funny blind African American who was “Wade aka “Deadpool’s roommate when he comes back from his rogue surgery. It’s obvious she was blind given people’s reaction to his appearance whenever he is seen in public without his mask.

Conclusion: Simply put, for its very imaginative and original out of the box thinking, I found Ryan Reynolds and his Deadpool much lively fun to see, lively funny to hear and lively enjoyable to experience.

3 – 1/2 Stars