Sunday, December 21, 2008

Tis the Season: Critics' Choice

To call myself a failure would be an exaggeration but there have just been so many film critic associations announcing their choices for 2008's best films and performances, I have not been able to keep up. And so I find myself here today lopping them all into one giant post! So pack your bag because today we go New York, L.A., Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Las Vegas, Florida, Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego.

Just the other day, a friend of mine asked me whether I am ever able to enjoy anything at this point in my critical career. Of course, I can. Just because a critic points out areas of weakness or stumbling, does not mean they cannot enjoy the whole. Besides, I give out the love just as often as I tear things down. Awards season is the one time when critics all over get to focus solely on the love though and they certainly spread it across several worthy titles. Let's break it down in the major categories and then I'll proceed to tear them down.

BEST PICTURE

Boston (TIE)
WALL-E
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Chicago
WALL-E

Dallas
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Florida
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Las Vegas
FROST/NIXON

Los Angeles
WALL-E

New York
MILK

Phoenix
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

San Diego
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Toronto
WENDY & LUCY

Add 'em up, people! That's five separate critic associations going with SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE as Best Picture of the year. This critic will likely not even include it in his Top 10 but I am clearly alone on this one. I think it's fair to say at this point that Danny Boyle's indie hit will be Best Picture nominee at this year's Oscars. WALL-E scoring the top prize in three of the ten certainly improves its chances of sneaking into the fold but I am skeptical that the Academy will follow suit. MILK & FROST/NIXON are already solid contenders but Toronto's decision to go with WENDY & LUCY is certainly the most offbeat choice. This is especially odd when you consider that SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE earned its first accolade as the people's choice favorite at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.


BEST DIRECTOR

Boston
Gus Van Sant, MILK

Chicago
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Dallas
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Florida
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Las Vegas
Ron Howard, FROST/NIXON

Los Angeles
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

New York
Mike Leigh, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Phoenix
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

San Diego
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Toronto
Jonathan Demme, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Six out of ten went with Danny Boyle for director. That's one more than went with SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE as Best Picture. I'm glad to see Jonathan Demme getting some love here as I find his RACHEL GETTING MARRIED to be a much stronger contender than just for acting. Ron Howard, given the weight behind his name, may find himself nominated for a potential second Oscar win but Mike Leigh and Demme will likely see their films honoured in the screenplay category before director.


BEST ACTOR

Boston
Sean Penn, MILK

Chicago
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

Dallas
Sean Penn, MILK

Florida
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

Las Vegas
Frank Langella, FROST/NIXON

Los Angeles
Sean Penn, MILK

New York
Sean Penn, MILK

Phoenix
Sean Penn, MILK

San Diego
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

Toronto
Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER

Ten associations and only three names mentioned. I believe it is safe to say that all three of these actors are sure bets for an Oscar nomination. Then, I'm sorry to say Mr. Langella, but it will come down to only two, Sean Penn & Mickey Rourke. Penn is heartbreaking as Harvey Milk but Rourke is the sentimental favorite. This one will be impossible to call right up until they open the envelope.


BEST ACTRESS

Boston
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Chicago
Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Dallas
Anne Hathaway, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Florida
Melissa Leo, FROZEN RIVER

Las Vegas
Kate Winslet, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD & THE READER

Los Angeles
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

New York
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

Phoenix
Meryl Streep, DOUBT

San Diego
Kate Winslet, THE READER

Toronto
Michelle Williams, WENDY & LUCY

Count 'em ... five different names. Could this be the final five? It's difficult to say. I would say that there is no question that Anne Hathaway will earn her first Oscar nod. I believe it is also fairly safe to say that Meryl Streep will earn her15th nomination. Sally Hawkins has certainly solidified herself as a serious contender. Meanwhile, Melissa Leo looks to be FROZEN RIVER's best chance outside of the screenplay category. Kate Winslet is the only unsure thing here. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD has not received overwhelming praise and her people are pushing her role in THE READER as a supporting bid. She may end up with two nominations but she will certainly end up with at least one.

As for the rest of the major categories, there is one thing for certain, Heath Ledger will be nominated post-humously for his supporting role in THE DARK KNIGHT. Nine out of ten voted him the best, with Josh Brolin grabbing that last bid for his turn in MILK. The supporting actress category is a little more split, with Marisa Tomei scoring four wins for her role in THE WRESTLER and Penelope Cruz taking three wins for her feisty turn in VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA. Finally, in the screenplay category, the results are also fairly split and not so easy to assess, as not every critic association splits the screenplays into original and adapted categories. Still, Simon Beaufoy's adapted screenplay for SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE brought in four wins, while Dustin Lance Black's original screenplay for MILK pulled in two wins.

Now, you'll have to excuse me, I still have a lot of movies to watch before this year ends. Ugh.