OSCAR WINNERS

http://oscar.go.com/

Albert Nobbs A Little Gem of a Film

What a year for great acting performances by women! Six-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close should have won by now, and in this year 2012 when her chances to win are slim, it is indeed a shame that she has one of her finest roles as Albert Nobbs. This is not a drag but an honest account of an Irish girl in 1898 Dublin who had disguised as a boy after being sexually abused and then remained that way for 30 years in an effort to find work. She and Janet McTeer, also a woman disguised as a man, become buddies and strike up a friendship that by film's end, in spite of some tragedies, is guaranteed to pay off.
It is also great to see Pauline Collins - remember her as Shirley Valentine and then in City of Joy with Patrick Swayzee? Another fine actress playing Nobbs' boss, bitchy Mrs. Baker who runs the Morrison Hotel with an iron fist. Also on board is Academy Award winner Brenda Fricker as Polly the cook, a small role to be sure but she hardly goes unnoticed. Mia Wasikowska plays beautiful Helen Dawes and Aaron Johnson is Joe the sexy young rascal who wins and then breaks her heart. Yes, this is a love story - one for Nobbs as well - so be prepared to shed a tear or two. Rodrigo Garcia directs sublimely this quaint, poetic movie that allows us a glimpse of 19th century Ireland and its ferocious tenacity to survive at all costs.

Oscar Nominations 2012

http://news.moviefone.com/2012/01/23/oscar-nominations-2012_n_1224812.html?1327412698&ncid=webmail2

review - The Descendants (2012)

Alexander Payne's quiet film The Descendants about a distraught business tycoon trying to pull a dysfunctional family together after his wife's tragic accident has a lot going for it. Firstly, an especially fine performance from George Clooney, secondly, the beautiful Hawaiian scenic background and most importantly, a cautiously realistic approach to presenting the complex psychological functioning of the human mind. Little by little, Clooney as Matt King learns what is important for him, his children and his extended family by engaging himself fully in the problems of their lives - something that many do not do, especially when going through a personal tragedy. It's hard enough to deal with your own needs let alone consider the feelings of everyone else. But he does, and as the windmills of his mind turn and turn, we are still surprised by many of his actions. Particularly admirable is the acceptance of his own responsibility. Payne directs evenly and thoroughly. Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller and Nick Krause lend wonderful support as King's daughters Alex, Scottie and Alex's supposedly goofy boyfriend Sid, respectively. Matthew Lillard as King's wife's lover has a wonderful scene in which he reluctantly comes to terms with his guilt.
5 out of 5 stars

review - The Artist (2012)

Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist, which won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Comedy, is a great homage not only to the silent film era but also to fine movie making period. This elegant black and white, edge-of-your-seat romance stars handsome Jean Dujardin, who resembles matinee idol Gilbert Roland and Berenice Bejo, both of whom show that emotions engage sans dialogue.

One of my very favorite scenes is when Peppy ( Bejo) sneaks into Valentin 's (Dujardin) dressing room on the lot of Kinograph Studios, starts touching the jacket he wears and finds herself wrapped up in it literally feigning his arm around her. (picture below) It's funny, alluring and delightfully original. It's great to see character actors John Goodman - looks fantastic! - James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller and Beth Grant in featured roles, but Uggie as Valentin's best friend - you've got it, his dog - steals every scene he's in and saves the day more than once.

This is entertainment at its very best and should be used in film class to show students just how important subtext is in preparing a role ... and being able to use your eyes and body language effectively!

5 out of 5 stars

review - My Week with Marilyn

It is difficult to believe that this is Simon Curtis' first directorial film assignment, as My Week with Marilyn is an amazingly lovely movie. Michelle Williams' performance, needless to say, is delectable. No over-the-top mannerisms or false moves: it's about as natural as one might see. She transforms into Marilyn effortlessly, or so it seems. I also enjoyed the work of Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark, documentary film maker, who worked as third AD on The Prince and the Showgirl (1956) and whose diaries supplied the basis for the story, screenplay by Adrian Hodges. Monroe loved Clark's youthful attraction to her and used it to her advantage. It freed her from the insecurities that were bogging her down and preventing her from giving the ultimate performance in The Prince and the Showgirl. She needed to relax and be supported in the positive way that Clark provided. Although their little 'affair' cooled down, she ended up giving a great performance, topping that of Sir Laurence Olivier, who so wanted to become a big box office star. Ironic, that both actors deeply wanted what they didn't have: Monroe to be considered a great actress and Olivier, the actor of all time, a big movie star.

Also wonderful in the film are Kenneth Branagh as Olivier, Dame Judi Dench, always a standout even in the smallest of roles as Dame Sybil Thorndike, Julia Ormond a charmer as Vivien Leigh, Emily Watson grownup and beautiful as Colin's girlfriend Lucy and Zoe Wanamaker so good as the clutching Paula Strasberg, who was like Marilyn's third arm.
This is a  loving portrait of the iconic star, who despite her well-known insecurities, was sweet and caring, adored by millions. Cinematography is gorgeous; the story attractive and playful, and Williams' work sublime, capturing in detail Monroe's genuine nature on and off screen.
5 stars

eddie redmayne and emily watson

Golden Globe Nominations 2012

http://broadwayworld.com/article/2012-GOLDEN-GLOBE-Nominations-Announced-20111215