2009 Oscar Winners

Aw, the 2008 film season is over. All that Oscar buzz is behind us...well, at least until next year. ;)

But how did you all enjoy this year's Oscars? I for one thought they were a tad on the long side, and it seemed like every two seconds there was a commercial break - but, oh well, I suppose they had to pay for that little celebration somehow. ;)

Hugh Jackman did a nice job of hosting, he really is no stranger to the stage, as we all know. There were some oddly funny bits as well, like who could forget the Joaquin Phoenix impersonation by Ben Stiller?? Haha, wow, that was, uh...interesting. :)

Well, here's a quuick wrapup of all this years' winners.

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

I was actually really happy with this choice - it's a great film, and probably the best out of the nominees. (Although Frost/Nixon comes in a close second for me).

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk
Great choice. I was mostly rooting for Mickey Rourke, but Sean Penn was a great choice. I very much enjoyed his acceptance speech as well.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Loved this one! She deserved it. Brilliant actress, in a great role. I'm very happy for her.

Best Directing: Danny Boyle For Slumdog Millionaire

I love Danny Boyle, really stand-up guy. I'm glad he's getting some recognition! =) I will never forget the night I met this truly amazing guy!! =)

Best Foreign Language Film: Departures (Japan)
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman
Best Original Song: ''Jai Ho,'' Slumdog Millionaire
Best Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Sound Editing: The Dark Knight
Best Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Documentary Short: Smile Pinki
Best Documentary Feature: Man on Wire
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Live Action Short: Spielzeugland (Toyland)
Best Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Costume Design: The Duchess
Best Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Animated Short: La Maison en Petits Cubes
Best Animated Feature: WALL-E
Best Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire, Simon Beaufoy
Best Original Screenplay: Milk, Dustin Lance Black

Revolutionary Road

Themes of happiness, settling, and just other general issues of life come up quite a bit in Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road. It is a beautiful story of a couple's life set in the almost non-understanding time of the 1950s.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic film, this is most certainly not the film for you. But if you are looking for a realistic portrayal of married life, then you have found exactly what you may be looking for. Revolutionary Road begins with our young couple, Frank and April Wheeler just trying to figure things out. April is performing in an amateur theatre group's play while her husband Frank watches. April is less then thrilled with her work, and really doesn't need her husband to play on this doubt. The two seem perfect to almost everyone around them, but the truth is far from this. They have a heated argument, and we as the audience get a feel for what we have gotten ourselves into.

We are given a few flash back scenes to see how this couple met, how much they were in love, and how many dreams and ambitions the two really had. Unfortunately, their dreams were less then met. They move into a cute little house that Mrs. Helen Givings (played brilliantly well by Kathy Bates) found for them. Frank is working at the same company his father once did, despite how many times he vowed never to turn into his father. And again, this is a very true theme. We quite often fall into the same paths as our parents, even though we so desperately wish for something different. Maybe it is because that is all we really know? Maybe we think that is what we are supposed to do? Whatever the reason, it is more then common.

Frank and April Wheeler continue to have marriage problems, but when April gets the idea that the two should run away to Paris and start all over, things seem to look up for the two. This seems like their perfect way to escape the boring normality that they have found themselves in. As time continues on, things look to be looking up for the young couple. But when an unexpected occurrence happens, the young couple is left with a very real decision to make.

The film poses many interesting questions, like when is it time to give up our dreams of our youth, and accept what life has given us? Never is the answer I like to think of, but then again...? Possibly the decisions of the film come from being afraid of change? I won't go too far into it, as it really is a great film (well, maybe those aren't the best words...but, you get what I mean) to watch.

The lighting is beautiful, especially in one of the last scenes with April and Frank sitting across from each other and having breakfast together. It is a beautiful scene to begin with, but the lighting really adds to it. The cinematography throughout the entire film really is breathtakingly beautiful.

Both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet give amazing performances. It really is hard to find anything wrong with their choices, both actors were quite dead on. Kate Winslet brings this determination and optimism that is just strikingly brilliant, while Leonardo DiCaprio brings this great sense of doing what must be done. Both are strong, confused, misunderstood, and deep down both just want to be loved.

Michael Shannon also gives a wonderfully brilliant performance as the crazy son of Kathy Bates whom comes to visit the Wheelers one dinner. He may seem on the outside crazy, but the truth is, he is the one who truly understands people the most. The scene where he confronts the couple is hurtfully truthful, and exactly what both of them need to hear.

Overall I think Revolutionary Road is a beautiful look at married life in the 1950s. But even more so, it can be adapted even today. It's a timeless story that we all can relate to. And I'm told the book of the same name is also quite a treat. While this is not a film for everyone, I personally loved it (the Q&A's with the cast, and also the premiere I attended in Westwood probably helped my liking as well). But really, I think this is a truly beautiful film, but then again, I did witness it before most others so I had no idea going in, what I was about to see. I'm just glad it wasn't a Titanic 2, lol ;).

Revolutionary Road has great performances, and beautiful scenery. I give it an 8/10. The film is rated R and runs 119 minutes.

To read this full article, feel free to visit: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1464048/revolutionary_road_pg2.html?cat=40

Happy Viewing Everyone! =)

The Reader

The Reader is a beautiful tale between two Germans set in the post World War II era. It is essentially the story of Michale and Hannah, two lovers who are destined not be. It's a beautiful simple tale that deals with harsh complicated issues.

After Michael falls head over heels for Hannah, he soon begins to learn that there may be more to her then meets the eye. But he brushes it off, and the two begin a sweet love affair of him reading his favorite books aloud to her. Despite the age difference, the two really are perfect for each other. However, something is bothering Hannah.

As the story progresses, we realize that Hannah had actually taken part in something far more deadly and controversial then we had first believed. And what that is you may be asking? Well, you'll just have to go see the film :).

The Reader is breathtakingly acted by the always amazing Kate Winslet. Her portrayal allows us to follow her, even down her darkest tunnels. Ralph Fiennes is great too as the older Michael Berg. Although it's David Kross who steals most of the scenes as the younger Michael. His optimism and youthfulness is pure poetry on screen.

I highly recommend the Reader to anyone who is looking for something a little deeper and that will actually allow them to think for themselves, and come to their own conclusions about love, life, and right versus wrong.

The Reader stars Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross. Is directed by Stephen Daldry and runs 124 minutes. 8/10.