While I was in Baton Rouge between Thursday and Friday, I saw Shutter Island and unfortunatley I didn't like it. Without revealing key aspects of the plot, I'll simply say that I found the film's twists and turns to be fairly predictable, and in the rare instances when the film did manage to surprise me, it did so only by going to incomprehensibly ridiculous lengths.
Overall, the narrative seemed like nothing more than an excuse for Scorcese to experiment in lushly stylized gothic horror. In that respect the film excells, but almost too much. Shutter Island replicates numerous gothic conventions--spooky mansions, dungeons, violent storms--and it does so with the highest degree of grotesque, atmospheric detail, but the film doesn't contribute anything new, so the impressive production value illicits little visceral emotion.
Considering the film's psycho-horror aspirations, it is surprisingly uninvolving. This is partially due to the frustratingly one-dimensional characterization of the main character, Teddy Daniels, played by Leonardo Dicaprio. As a federal marshall haunted not only by the death of his wife but also his memories of liberating the Dachau concentration camp in World War 2, this could have been a much more interesting character. Unfortunately, Leo does very little with Teddy other than constantly furrow his brow in either anger, confusion, or mere masculine intensity, and also just generally appear paranoid.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
NCAA Basketball con't
Other mid-majors to watch out for
In my opinion, the mid major to watch besides Temple is BYU. They have a great scoring leader and distributor in Jimmer Fredette, and this team is simply used to winning. They've reached 25 victories three years in a row. BYU has been narrowly bounced out of the NCAA tournament threes now and I think they're finally ready to make a run.
Also, keep an eye on Richmond from the Atlantic 10. They might be playing the best basketball in the Atlantic 10 right now and they've more than held their own against major conference competition.
Major Conference Teams Under the Radar
Wisconsin: They're ranked in the top twenty five right now but Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State have been getting all the attention. However, other than Purdue I think this might be the Big Ten team to make a splash. They're a great shooting team that's playing better defense this year. Don't forget, they made some noise last year as a 12 seed and they've only gotten better.
Texas A&M: The Aggies are a great shooting team and they have recent tournament experience. Their record doesn't necessarily bear out that they can beat anyone, but I think they have a good shot against anyone.
Good Teams I Don't Like
Duke: Coach K's team hasn't done much to improve my perception of them this year besides the fact that they've thoroughly dominated a down ACC. They're not athletic enough and still rely too much on hot perimeter shooting. I forsee another sweet sixteen upset.
Georgetown: The Hoyas are balanced scoring team, but where did they come from this year? I don't see this team going from missing a tournament bid last year to making a deep run in the tournament.
Gonzaga: I'm not awed by their guard attack this year. Reputation and a dominating a weak West Coast Conference have lead to their top fifteen ranking.
Tennessee: Besides Wayne Chisum I don't think this team has the firepower this year.
Pittsburgh: Pitt is on the rise right now but I don't see their grind-it-out style taking them very far.
In my opinion, the mid major to watch besides Temple is BYU. They have a great scoring leader and distributor in Jimmer Fredette, and this team is simply used to winning. They've reached 25 victories three years in a row. BYU has been narrowly bounced out of the NCAA tournament threes now and I think they're finally ready to make a run.
Also, keep an eye on Richmond from the Atlantic 10. They might be playing the best basketball in the Atlantic 10 right now and they've more than held their own against major conference competition.
Major Conference Teams Under the Radar
Wisconsin: They're ranked in the top twenty five right now but Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State have been getting all the attention. However, other than Purdue I think this might be the Big Ten team to make a splash. They're a great shooting team that's playing better defense this year. Don't forget, they made some noise last year as a 12 seed and they've only gotten better.
Texas A&M: The Aggies are a great shooting team and they have recent tournament experience. Their record doesn't necessarily bear out that they can beat anyone, but I think they have a good shot against anyone.
Good Teams I Don't Like
Duke: Coach K's team hasn't done much to improve my perception of them this year besides the fact that they've thoroughly dominated a down ACC. They're not athletic enough and still rely too much on hot perimeter shooting. I forsee another sweet sixteen upset.
Georgetown: The Hoyas are balanced scoring team, but where did they come from this year? I don't see this team going from missing a tournament bid last year to making a deep run in the tournament.
Gonzaga: I'm not awed by their guard attack this year. Reputation and a dominating a weak West Coast Conference have lead to their top fifteen ranking.
Tennessee: Besides Wayne Chisum I don't think this team has the firepower this year.
Pittsburgh: Pitt is on the rise right now but I don't see their grind-it-out style taking them very far.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Seriously Good Film; Early Predictions on March Madness
I finally had an opportunity to watch A Serious Man, and I have to say I was extremely impressed. This may be one of the most complex, evocative, and tonally unique films of the Coen Brothers career. In fact, I would even say that it's their best film since 1998's The Big Lebowski.
I truly hope that A Serious Man wins best original screenplay at the Academy Awards over Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, a film I have made no secret of criticizing as being disconnected, meandering, and intellectually vacant.
... Now onto basketball.
March Madness is quickly approaching and I'm going to give a preliminary rundown on the teams I like and don't heading into the tournament this year.
Like:
1. Villanova: Don't be fooled by their recent loss to UCONN, a team that increasingly looks on it's way out. This is an elite team and they play in the best conference in America. They could easily drop three of their next five to Syracuse, Pitt, and West Virginia and drop to 2 or a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and I would still favor them over almost anyone. Remember that 2006-2007 Florida team? They faltered down the stretch of the regular season too, but they dominated in the tournament.
2. Purdue: I love what Coach Painter has done at Purdue and this is clearly the most capable team he's ever had. These boilermakers have some of the best team chemistry of anyone in the NCAA and they play tough, big-ten defense. They're still in contention for a number 1 seed, but a two seems more likely. Even so, I'm looking for them to possibly make a run to the finals.
3. Kansas: I know, they're the number 1 team. But they're number one for a reason... they're fantastic. On paper, Kansas is the most complete team in the country. With their mix of size, athleticism, and hot shooting, no one matches up with them well. Right now, they look unstoppable in their quest for a number one overall seed in the tournament.
4. Temple: This is obviously a wild card choice. Right now Temple is ranked in the top 25 but they appear to be on a bit of a skid. You might ask yourself, why should you care about a mid-major that just got waxed 71-54 by conference rival Richmond. First, although Temple may play in a mid-major conference (Atlantic 10), it's arguably the best mid-major conference in the country and will most get five to six tournament bids (will the SEC be able to say as much come selectio time?) Secondly, teams always show a little wear late in their conference schedules. What's important is that they make sure to be ready for the tournaent. If Temple plays at their best, they can potentially beat anyone in the country. Earlier in the season they lost a grind-it-out squeaker to Georgetown 46-45, the same Georgetown that's now ranked in the top ten, and they beat Villanova 74-65. This is a team that has tournament experience and I think they're finally ready to break out.
I truly hope that A Serious Man wins best original screenplay at the Academy Awards over Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, a film I have made no secret of criticizing as being disconnected, meandering, and intellectually vacant.
... Now onto basketball.
March Madness is quickly approaching and I'm going to give a preliminary rundown on the teams I like and don't heading into the tournament this year.
Like:
1. Villanova: Don't be fooled by their recent loss to UCONN, a team that increasingly looks on it's way out. This is an elite team and they play in the best conference in America. They could easily drop three of their next five to Syracuse, Pitt, and West Virginia and drop to 2 or a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and I would still favor them over almost anyone. Remember that 2006-2007 Florida team? They faltered down the stretch of the regular season too, but they dominated in the tournament.
2. Purdue: I love what Coach Painter has done at Purdue and this is clearly the most capable team he's ever had. These boilermakers have some of the best team chemistry of anyone in the NCAA and they play tough, big-ten defense. They're still in contention for a number 1 seed, but a two seems more likely. Even so, I'm looking for them to possibly make a run to the finals.
3. Kansas: I know, they're the number 1 team. But they're number one for a reason... they're fantastic. On paper, Kansas is the most complete team in the country. With their mix of size, athleticism, and hot shooting, no one matches up with them well. Right now, they look unstoppable in their quest for a number one overall seed in the tournament.
4. Temple: This is obviously a wild card choice. Right now Temple is ranked in the top 25 but they appear to be on a bit of a skid. You might ask yourself, why should you care about a mid-major that just got waxed 71-54 by conference rival Richmond. First, although Temple may play in a mid-major conference (Atlantic 10), it's arguably the best mid-major conference in the country and will most get five to six tournament bids (will the SEC be able to say as much come selectio time?) Secondly, teams always show a little wear late in their conference schedules. What's important is that they make sure to be ready for the tournaent. If Temple plays at their best, they can potentially beat anyone in the country. Earlier in the season they lost a grind-it-out squeaker to Georgetown 46-45, the same Georgetown that's now ranked in the top ten, and they beat Villanova 74-65. This is a team that has tournament experience and I think they're finally ready to break out.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Academy Award Nominations
First of all... Sorry I haven't posted recently, but I was extremely busy helping Sean Price film his first real movie for UNO. I was the director of photography and it was a really fun experience.
Now... the Academy Award nominations came out today. There were very few surprises, but the surprises that were there were either not interesting or simply stupid. For instance:
BLIND SIDE got a best picture nom!
We all knew that Sandra Bullock was going to be nominated for best actress (and strangely enough she seems to be the front runner, which still perplexes me), but Blind Side for best picture? I don't get it. This was not a highly acclaimed film, and yet all of the support for Sandra Bullock's performance appears to have snowballed into a massive awards season mindfuck.
Other surprises included Maggie Gylenhaal being nominated for Best Supporting Actress and
The Messenger being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Shocking, right?
Here are a list of things I would have liked to have seen from the Academy Award nominations
1. The Fantastic Mr. Fox nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay
How can I say this? The Fantastic Mr. Fox is simply the BEST animated film I've seen in years. Not only is it visually dazzling, but it is almost incomprehensibly clever and funny.
2. Gabby Sidibe being given the Best Actress Award in advance
I know this is an unrealistic request, but I'm just not prepared to see either Meryl Streep or Sandra Bullock win for their coy, possibly stupid performances. Admittedly, I haven't actually seen either of these performances, but could they really be better than Gabby Sidible's raw, vulnerable and emotionally devastating turn as Precious?
3. Better nominees for best director
Other than Kathryn Bigelow and Lee Daniels, whom I both thought directed wonderful films, I thought the best director category could have been much stronger, although I'm inclined to give Quentin Tarantino a break here since I did think that Inglourious Basterds was one of his most visually interesting film in years. And James Cameron for Avatar? Although on an effects level, Avatar was superb, Cameron's direction itself was not as outstanding. And Jason Reitman's direction in Up in the Air was nothing more than the pinnacle of above-average competence. What about Wes Anderson, or Ramin Bahrin's poignant work in Goodbye, Solo?
Now... the Academy Award nominations came out today. There were very few surprises, but the surprises that were there were either not interesting or simply stupid. For instance:
BLIND SIDE got a best picture nom!
We all knew that Sandra Bullock was going to be nominated for best actress (and strangely enough she seems to be the front runner, which still perplexes me), but Blind Side for best picture? I don't get it. This was not a highly acclaimed film, and yet all of the support for Sandra Bullock's performance appears to have snowballed into a massive awards season mindfuck.
Other surprises included Maggie Gylenhaal being nominated for Best Supporting Actress and
The Messenger being nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Shocking, right?
Here are a list of things I would have liked to have seen from the Academy Award nominations
1. The Fantastic Mr. Fox nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay
How can I say this? The Fantastic Mr. Fox is simply the BEST animated film I've seen in years. Not only is it visually dazzling, but it is almost incomprehensibly clever and funny.
2. Gabby Sidibe being given the Best Actress Award in advance
I know this is an unrealistic request, but I'm just not prepared to see either Meryl Streep or Sandra Bullock win for their coy, possibly stupid performances. Admittedly, I haven't actually seen either of these performances, but could they really be better than Gabby Sidible's raw, vulnerable and emotionally devastating turn as Precious?
3. Better nominees for best director
Other than Kathryn Bigelow and Lee Daniels, whom I both thought directed wonderful films, I thought the best director category could have been much stronger, although I'm inclined to give Quentin Tarantino a break here since I did think that Inglourious Basterds was one of his most visually interesting film in years. And James Cameron for Avatar? Although on an effects level, Avatar was superb, Cameron's direction itself was not as outstanding. And Jason Reitman's direction in Up in the Air was nothing more than the pinnacle of above-average competence. What about Wes Anderson, or Ramin Bahrin's poignant work in Goodbye, Solo?
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