Useless Clatter...Formation Scene from 'The Tree of Life'

      From The Tree of Life- This was an unplanned post until I accidentally came across the video while searching for the new Beach House song. (How that happened, I have no idea.)  It’s a scene from Terrence Malick’s 2011 film, The Tree of Life.  If you have not seen it, then you have definitely heard about. That conversation could have either classified the film as an elegant masterpiece or as a pretentious, metaphysical waste of time- and that’s without discussing the dinosaurs.  Anyways, hate it or love, The Tree of Life will always be remembered on either one of these grounds and that same debate will probably keep that title in circulation for some years to come.
         The video posted below is a segment from the film where Malick depicts the creation of the world, or at least, that’s what we think it is.  I would say that we are all probably doing this movie an injustice by watching its most visually intense sequence on a tiny computer screen but oh well, better than nothing I guess.

      If you’ve seen the movie, then you probably remember this scene as the point where you begin to question everything- What the hell is going on? Who is that whispering? Where did Sean Penn go?  These questions were swarming my mind and as the opera grew to that thunderous crescendo half way into the video while I was bombarded with these images on the IMAX screen, I was certain my head was going to explode.

      If you never saw the movie and only heard all the fuss about the film,then here’s your chance to for a quick glance at what they’re all talking about.  Sure there is more to the movie than a bunch of existential, mind boggling swirls from space, but to me, this was what really defined the movie for me and set it apart from any other movie I had ever scene.  Check it out- no spoilers, I promise. (if its even possible)

                           

Useless Clatter...My Oscar Guesses 2.0- The Dilemma of The Artist

    Why The Artist is making this year so difficult.

       I know this is totally illegal but like I said before I can't stand having to publicly make these predictions. Last week I finally posted my predictions for the Oscars but that isn't enough to get me through til Sunday. As much as I want to think The Descendants is most deserving, the whole world seems set on The Artist for Best Picture. The way I see it, you have two options when making any sort of prediction. One, you do your research, find out what most people are saying and go with that. Its a conservative approach but in the end, you'll probably get most picks right. The second option then is to go with the dark horses.  Picking The Tree of Life for Best Picture, is quite rebellious, but maybe too extreme. In this case where the obvious front runner is The Artist, anything besides that would work.

Useless Clatter...My Oscar Guesses

With the Oscars approaching in less than two weeks, I finally realized that I should get around to posting my predictions because after next Sunday, they really won't matter.  I tend to dislike making predictions of any sort solely for the fear of being wrong.  Of course every year I fill out a March Madness bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament, [which I will inevitably be doing within the next few weeks] but I cannot recall the last time I actually found the courage to total up my losses after the championship game.  In the case of the Academy Awards, the rumors and gossip in the weeks [or months at this point] heading up to that Sunday in February seems just as important as the actually awards ceremony.  Being a movie fanatic as well as movie blogger, it seems that this is post is something of a requirement.  Nevertheless, Oscar predictions have become an important part of today's movie culture and if anything, it promotes  further discussion and engagement with movies  enabling me to start up something like FILMclatter.
+The bold selection indicates my primary prediction and anything underlined is a secondary guess

Best Picture

"The Artist" Thomas Langmann, Producer

"The Descendants" Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" Scott Rudin, Producer

"The Help" Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers

"Hugo" Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers

"Midnight in Paris" Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers

"Moneyball" Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers

"The Tree of Life" Nominees to be determined

"War Horse" Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Why See This...Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy [2011]

      I read about one blogger’s experience of going to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and how showing up a few minutes late cost him dearly.  On screen, he didn’t miss anything important arriving before the beginning credits finished, but what he missed was the cheat sheet.  This particular theater gave its Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy viewers info packets to look over before the movie began.  It included keywords, character descriptions and important, unexplained spy slang (known on Wikipedia as “Tradecraft jargon”).  Where I went to see the movie, we were not offered that kind of luxury, but then again, I’m not sure how much it would have helped anyways. 

      Before I go any further, I would like to direct your eyes to the picture below, because this, more than anything can help describe what this movie is all about.  Its shows the most important part of the movie-

Reel News...Official Nominations for the 84th Oscars have been released

The time for speculation is now over and we can rest assured or stare in disbelief at the Official Nominations for this years Academy Awards.  Depending on how you look at it, every year a certain discussion arises toward the notable films or acting performances that bet left off the list or as the article in U.S. Weekly put is- snubbed.
After comparing my own speculative list of this year's noms in a post written a few weeks ago, I came to the realization that, much like every other year in recent memory, the nominations offer few surprises as the rumors are never few and far.

Actor in a Leading Role

Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"

George Clooney in "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"

Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Actor in a Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"

Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"

Nick Nolte in "Warrior"

Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"

Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Useless Clatter...Oscar Predictions 2012

With the Academy Awards looming (Feb 26th) and most of the big hitters out by now, I decided to post some predictions for the major categories. Not that sound-mixing and make up are not important,  I just can't differentiate explosions or eyebrows as easily.  As we near the date and the official nominations come out, I will post those and then make my final predictions.

+ these are in no particular.

+ designates additional nomination beyond allowed five

Best Picture

The Artist

The Descendants

The Ides of March

The Help

J. Edgar

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

The Tree of Life

War Horse

Best Director

Michel Hazanavicius The Artist

Tomas Alfredson Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Alexander Payne The Descendants

Terrence Malick The Tree of Life

Martin Scorsese Hugo

+ Sean Durkin Martha Marcy May Marlene

Actor In A Leading Role

Leonardo DiCaprio J. Edgar

Jean Dujardin The Artist

Gary Oldman Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Brad Pitt Moneyball

Demian Bichir A Better Life
+ Michael Fassbender Shame

Actress In A Leading Role

Viola Davis The Help

Michelle Williams My Week With Marilyn

Glenn Close Albert Noobs

Charlize Theron Young Adult

Meryl Streep The Iron Lady

+ Elizabeth Olsen Martha Marcy May Marlene

 

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer Beginners

Patton Oswalt Young Adult

Nick Nolte Warrior

Jonah Hill Moneyball

Kenneth Branagh My Week With Marilyn

+ Armie Hammer J. Edgar

Best Supporting Actress

Octavia Spencer The Help

Bérénice Bejo The Artist

Shailene Woodley The Descendants

Jessica Chastain The Help

Carey Mulligan Shame

+ Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids

Best Original Screenplay

Woody Allen Midnight in Paris

Tom McCarthy and Joe Tibani Win Win

Diablo Cody Young Adult

Mike Mills Beginners

Jeff Nichols Take Shelter

+ Dustin Lance Black J. Edgar

Best Adapted Screenplay

Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan Tinker, Tailor Soldier Spy

Tate Taylor The Help

John Logan Hugo

Aaron Sorkin & Steven Zaillian Moneyball

Nat Faxon, Alexander Payne & Jim Rash The Descendants

+ Steven Zaillian The Girl With The Dragon Tattooo

I decided to stop after the main eight categories.  Like I said, I don't know enough to make guesses on each and every category, and these eight are always the most talked about.  The selections above seem to be the general consensus around the web, with a few of my own particular hopes thrown in the mix.
By the way, here's a short little trailer for the upcoming ceremony hosted by Billy Crystal.  Its a bit goofy, but I think their off to a better start than last year.

Why See This...Melancholia [2011]

   Our culture seems to have embraced the idea of an apocalypse, if merely for our own entertainment.  Society's growing interest in this topic is seen on various TV shows such as History Channel’s Life After People and AMC’s hit series, The Walking Dead.  But the fascination is neither new nor solely a media craze.  Robert Frost gives us his own brief take on the apocalypse in his poem "Fire and Ice" in 1923 and we are all aware of the ancient Mayan’s prediction falling on the date of  December 21 of this year that has yet to be tested.  And of course, who could forget the rapture that was supposed to destroy the earth last May?

      But whether it’s a cosmic explosion, a global zombie-infecting virus or the result of some ancient Mayan voodoo, one edition that serves up the world’s end in an idyllic gambol is Lars von Trier’s latest film, Melancholia.  Not one to shy away from controversy from his ramble sympathizing with Hitler at Cannes, his new tattoo and to his last feature, the 2009 film, Antichrist, few could ignore talks of him directing an apocalyptic tale.

      And that’s what this film is- another rendition of the end of the world.  But under the creative control of Lars von Trier, it sets itself apart from any other apocalyptic piece.  Melancholia, which serves as the film's title, is a distant planet in outer space that scientists believe will collide with earth within the next few days. The film opens with a harrowing sequence of slow moving frames.  In each one, we see the film’s main character, Justine, given an award-winning performance by Kirsten Dunst (winning Best Actress at Cannes), and in them all there lies a look of despair and agony on her face.  In one, she is seen wearing a wedding gown running through a forest whose branches and vines grasp hold of her feet.  In another, she is again running but this time her captor comes in the form of a lush green prairie in which a step down proves to be quicksand, again leaving her with a similar fate.  All within the orchestral backdrop of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde giving the film an unnaturally eerie yet majestic tone.  With this ill fated montage, von Trier chooses to hint towards the fate of these characters before ever receiving an introduction. 

      The film’s action opens at Justine’s wedding at a massive castle.  She and her newlywed husband are late arrivals to their own wedding party, much to the dismay of their guests.  But the couple does not seem anxious or eager to attend. Instead, they display affectionate laughs toward each other in their limo as if unaware of their untimely arrival.  From the point of their late entrance, the merry expression on Justine’s face is absent the remainder of the film.  A far planet named Melancholia, which serves as the film’s title, is quickly approaching the earth’s orbit and much like our own Rapture, it’s caused a mix of emotions and scientific tests to try and decide if it will hit our planet, ending it all.  Melancholia, without coincidence I assume, seems to be the cause of Justine’s depressed state during her own wedding.  The idea of the end is too unbearable for her, yet she seems to be the only one attuned to this fear as the party’s guests continue on with pleasure while she partakes in her solitary anguish

      Melancholia's focus, then, is on the remaining days as played out by Justine, her sister Claire and Claire’s husband and young son.  It serves to be quite emotional as we sit and wait for their world’s end, watching these characters reconcile with this stark reality before then from our safe position as the film’s audience.  But what’s before them, an end not entirely certain provides excitement for the husband and son as they abide to discussions of a safe passing of Melancholia just outside the earth’s orbit. For them, it will provide a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of interstellar beauty. 

      Not to give away any details unknown, the film’s final scene, which includes the world’s end, provides an image more fascinating than menacing- no fire, no ice, no zombies.  While destructive in nature, Lars von Trier‘s finale turns the apocalypse’s destructive nature into something more beautiful- it ends as it all started with a bang.  But in his view, the bang is more than a split second; he draws out the earth’s final moments with a symphonic score that matches the powerful imagery of our world coming to an end. 

      Before seeing the film, one must understand the directing of Lars von Trier.  In 1995, he wrote a piece called the “Dogme 95 Manifesto” which called for a return to the traditional means of film production, excluding much of the elaborate tricks used by studios today.  For that matter, most of the shots of Melancholia consist of nothing more than the director himself and a handheld camera, resulting in constantly shaking frames for the film’s entire running time.   Combined with his controversial themes, many tend to discredit von Trier’s filmmaking abilities, but to look past these “technical blemishes” is to experience a splendid and thought provoking film of another yet masterful take on the end of the world.

Reel News...New Trailer For The Dark Knight Rises

      The conclusion of Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise, The Dark Knight Rises, has released a new trailer for the film.  This third and final installment sees the return of its major stars in Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Oldman (Police Commissioner) and Freeman (Lucius Fox)  in their respective roles as protectors to Gotham City while introducing a new slew of enemies in Catwoman (Anne Hathaway), Bane (Tom Hardy) and others out to destroy Gotham City.

      Nolan, also director of the Inception, signed a few notable stars from this film to join the cast of the final Batman.   Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy and Marion Cotillard all have roles in the upcoming film.  Other new characters include a number of Pittsburg Steelers who will make cameos as the fictional Gotham Rogues football team as we get a quick glance of Hines Ward (86) in the trailer.

      While I am not a huge fan of superhero flicks, Nolan’s Batman series is a definite exception.  I am equally excited for the film’s release as well as saddened in knowing that it will be the last.  Judging by the trailer, The Dark Knight Rises looks as if it will match the dark, suspenseful tone of its prequel.  Hopefully Batman will certainly rise and not succumb to the evils that lurk beneath Gotham City.  But after watching the trailer, we can see he’s got a lot of work cut out for him.

The Dark Knight Rises opens in theaters July 20, 2012.