Beasts of the Southern Wild Earns Buzz

It is no secret that I am a movie fanatic. On average, you can find me at the theatre at least once a week, and I am pretty sure I am known as a regular amongst the pre-teen ticket agents at the local cineplex. Film has always been an art form of which I genuinely appreciate every layer involved in the process.
With that, you can imagine I keep a close eye on the line-up of Academy Award nominations that are released each year. Beasts of the Southern Wild had a quiet release in June 2012 after receiving major buzz at the film festival circuit. It wasn't until the film, written and directed by Benh Zeitlin, was nominated for four Academy Awards that the fantasy-drama based in the Louisiana Bayou intrigued movers and shakers in the film industry, as well as the general public. Up against heavyweights like Lincoln, Django Unchained and Les Misérables in the best film category, it is natural to be curious about what this film has to offer.

This movie is a tribute to the art of film production. While reading up on Beasts, one synopsis described it as "poetry on screen", and that's exactly what it is. Similar to poetry, not everyone will connect with it or understand what it is trying to accomplish. But, those of us who do will find comfort in it's originality and simplistic story that is steeped in metaphors of what it means to love, survive, conquer and fight.

Quvenzhané Wallis (Hushpuppy), was only five when she accepted the lead role. Now 9-years-old, she has recently received a cascade of attention after her nomination in the best actress category. Being the youngest nominee in this category, the depth of her talent has been questioned. Now that I have seen her performance, I don't understand the debate. Wallis is a powerhouse and caries this film, along with Dwight Henry who plays her stubborn and eccentric father.

While I shake my head in disbelief at some of the choices for "top" films competing for a gold statue at the upcoming 85th Academy Awards, my sincere appreciation for film is affirmed knowing that a modest movie like this is elevated to the platform it deserves.

*Sidenote: Wallis is one of the most beautiful children, and there is a chance I may try and rock her wild-child look in the future. Consider this your heads-up.

-DTG

Les Misérables: Misery has never been so beautiful

The story behind the classic, Les Misérables is nothing new. Most of us are familiar with the story. We have either read the book, seen the musical, or simply been given a general rundown of the tale throughout the years. Our general fascination with Les Miz is what has made the hype behind the December 25 release of the film larger than life. Will Hugh Jackman live-up to his legacy as a quadruple-threat and nail the starring role?  Will Anne Hathaway's heavily publicized sacrifice of chopping her locks be worthwhile? And, how will movie-goers respond to a film with a script that is sung from start to finish (seriously, there are maybe 20 lines spoken and the rest are chanted in a melody). These are all questions cinephiles were anxious to have answered and had studio executives sweating out their collars.

All in all, Les Misérables may have had a few hiccups, but nothing capable of drowning out everything that went well with the film. Although there are quite a few colourful characters to keep up with, the story is rather simple. Set in 19th-century France, Les Misérables is a story that reminds us of the most basic components of humanity: strength, love, compassion, perseverance, family and survival.

Samantha Barks as Eponine

Jackman plays Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who vows to rebuild his life after he is graced with a new start from a compassionate stranger upon his release from prison. His path crosses with a young woman, Fantine (Hathaway), who is struggling to provide for her young daughter Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). Hathaway's screen time is limited; however, her scenes are weighty, thoughtful and I certainly give her praise for belting out some difficult songs. Much of the Oscar buzz is around Jackman and Hathaway--both are worthy contenders if they do receive nominations--but the true gem in this film is Samantha Barks who plays Eponine, one third of the familiar love triangle completed with the darling affair between the young revolutionist Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Cosette. Barks is a newcomer to the big screen, but her background in theatre is evident when the 22-year-old holds your attention through her touching ballads. The storyline of a love triangle is far from new, but Barks has a specific ability to strip away the generic cliché and connect with the audiences' personal stories of love and loss.

Similar to any large film, Les Misérables has not escaped criticism. Many have been critical of the decision to cast actors who may not necessarily be the most talented singers. These comments are understood when the relentless Javert, played by Russell Crowe, is on screen. I may have caught myself wincing and shifting in my seat when Crowe belted out  his lyrics. But, for the most part the less-than-stellar vocals were sparse, and forgivable once it was clear that the meat of the characters is carried out through great acting.

Don't miss, Les Miz.

-DTG

Life of Pi Dazzles

It is not too often that I am left without words, unable to distinctively articulate my thoughts on a film. But, when it comes to Ang Lee’s newest release Life of Pi, it is difficult to summarize the depth and beauty brought to the screen in the form of this original film.

Based on Canadian author Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel, Life of Pi is the story of a boy who has spent his life in India as the son of a zoo owner. From the start, Pi (Suraj Sharma) has a charmed existence, surrounded by exotic animals that he feels a particular connection to. From the time he was a young boy, he has been fascinated by several religions and carries a quiet pride of how he has come to know God. His faith and ability to stay in tune with his spirit is put to the test when he finds himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean with a lifeboat and a handful of exotic animals, which includes a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Pi’s story is told from his perspective as a grown man; he reveals his tale of survival to a writer (Rafe Spall), while promising to “make him believe there is a God.”

Many fans of Martel’s top-selling novel were excited yet skeptical when the news first broke that the story was to be transformed to the big screen, and with good reason. The extraordinary details of this story and a supporting cast that is made up mostly by zoo animals could have easily turned this beautiful tale into a cheesy portrayal. Too heavy on the special effects and a thoughtless screenplay would have been the recipe of its demise. But, bookworms can rest easy. The film does the story justice by using a measured amount of digital effects to enhance the extraordinary journey of a young boy caught in a devastating situation of having to fight to stay alive on a lifeboat with wild animals after surviving a shipwreck that swallowed his entire family.

 

Life of Pi leaves its audience in a pensive state. What would I do if I were lost in the middle of the ocean with little food, water and other mammals that saw me as prey? Would I survive? What would I be willing to do to at least try and survive? These are all questions I asked as the credits rolled. But more than a mind taken over by inquisition, I left with an overwhelming sense of empathy and marvel at what is in fact a simple story about will and perseverance, yet perfectly disguised as a tall tale.

 -DTG

LINCOLN is too honest of a portrayal of good ol' Abe

Lincoln: Stephen Spielberg’s latest film, is a production that I (along with other cinema enthusiasts who become giddy at murmurs of Oscar-worthy films) was anxious to experience. This past weekend, I wrestled the crowds of Breaking Dawn - Part 2 fanatics and bought a ticket to the film starring Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Field, both academy award winners who shine in almost every performance. I settled into my seat and prepared to enjoy the 2hrs and 45mins movie that I likely didn’t have the time to watch. But hey, true movie buffs make sacrifices.

Verdict: This film was not worth the sacrifice (or the annoyance of the overly anxious teenage girls lined up for the latest Twilight film). It was uninspired, dry, and a long-winded ode to America’s “most-loved” president. I know what you are thinking. “Any half-wit could guess that this film would be a virtual tribute to the glorious United States of America and its ability to abolish slavery after a long history of building the bloated and prosperous country on the backs of blacks.” Trust me, I get. But, what I don’t understand is why Spielberg would choose to turn an amazing snapshot of history into a biopic that truly felt like a university text book brought to the screen (and, not the surprisingly relevant and engaging type of text book. The one’s that you barely crack open throughout the semester and you primarily use as a coaster. As a history major, I am very familiar with the type).

Spielberg was wise to cast Day-Lewis who was consistent in his performance and undoubtedly solid. However, there was little character development and no meaty substance as to who Abraham Lincoln was as a husband, father, and more importantly, a white man with incredible power, who had a specific vision and determination to push for a life of freedom for all black Americans in an era where this mindset was typically reserved for a niche group.

The dialogue was dull and the writing was extremely generic. I felt like I was being force-fed a series of historical facts, rather than being tricked into absorbing a worthy piece of history through skillful storytelling with a rich script, cinematography and score—ingredients of a successful biopic if you ask me.

But if there is one element of this film that truly cut to the core, it was its lack of black characters. This movie had the potential to showcase some of the industry’s most talented black actors. After all, it is a piece of their ancestry that is being told at the end of the day. Unfortunately, there were less than a handful of non-white characters in Lincoln and they all had only a few lines. As far as I’m concerned, it was a gross display of tokenism, a waste of what could have been a beautiful opportunity to tell Lincoln’s story in a multidimensional manner.

Better luck next time, Mr. Spielberg.

-DTG