And the Oscar goes to...

This past Sunday, I was one of the many Americans who watched the Academy Awards. Award season is my favorite time of year! Not only do I enjoy checking out the fashion of the red carpet, as well as, up & coming actors, actresses, and directors, but mostly it is a chance to see the new films recommended by the Academy.
I had been looking forward to watching the awards for several months and then, less than a week before, we had to cancel our cable! It was a sad day when I realized that I couldn't watch the Oscar's live at home. However, my mom's friend hosted an annual Oscar Party, PJ style this year. We were able to go and watch with some fellow movie buffs in the comfort of our jammies, as well as, wager predictions on the winners.

Now, I had seen maybe about half of the movies that were nominated, and I'll just put it out there: Grand Budapest Hotel was, hands down, my favorite movie of the year! It was so clever, funny, and artsy. If any of you have not enjoyed the unique and fantastical world created by Wes Anderson, you must! I had seen Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou back in high school with my dad and honestly, I didn't like it back then. Re-watching it recently, along with Grand Budapest Hotel & The Royal Tenenbaums, I realized I didn't get the humor before, but now I understand that this niche of films is absolutely hilarious! Grand Budapest Hotel centers around the story an old man, M. Zero Moustafa, tells a young author in 1968, who comes to stay at a hotel, which Moustafa owns. During a meal, Moustafa begins to tell the writer the story of how he became the owner and why the ran down hotel is so precious to him. He tells of a time when he was a young lobby boy working under M. Gustave (played by the indelible Ralph Fiennes), the seasoned concierge. Gustave, who takes pride in making guests happy, takes a particular interest in an older

wealthy woman, who leaves a beautiful painting to him after her mysterious passing. The young lobby boy and M. Gustave work together to clear Gustave's good name when he is framed for her murder by her greedy son, all while trying to keep the painting out of the wrong hands. Their journey includes several train rides, a stint in prison, an escape from said prison, and a trip to a mountainous monastery. This comedic cast includes: Jude Law, Bill Murray, Adrian Brody, Willem Defoe, Edward Norton, and Jeff Goldbloom, to name a few. Absolute comedic gold! 9.5/10

While watching the Academy Awards, 2 films other than Grand Budapest Hotel, stood out, seeing as they were both nominated for several categories. Whiplash, which was nominated for 5 Oscars, is astounding! I had not seen it prior to the awards, but I was able to watch it just 2 days later. The release of this film was one I had been waiting for quite some time. I was really excited about the music, but also the cast. J.K. Simmons, who portrays crazy conductor, Terence Fletcher, is extremely talented! I had seen him in too many movies to count, however, its the show that he is most famous for, Oz, I have not had the pleasure of viewing. Don't worry, it's on my list! Miles Teller, in the role of Andrew Neiman, is on my "up & coming" talent list. I absolutely enjoyed him in The Spectacular Now and am looking forward to seeing him as Mr. Fantastic in the reboot of Fantastic Four. Whiplash follows aspiring young drummer, Andrew, who eats, breathes, and lives the drums. He aims to be in the band conducted by Fletcher, a seasoned musician and teacher who is, in a word, an asshole. He demands far too much from his students, resorting to child-like antics, such as throwing things, yelling, or cursing at them when they perform any less than perfect. Andrew finds his way into Fletcher's class and soon realizes how hard he has to push himself to have a even a chance at a drumming career, many times ending up in tears with bloodied hands, sticks, & drums. The story follows them through the ups and downs of their student/teacher relationship while Fletcher pushes Andrew to be better than he ever thought possible. The score, which is absolutely stunning, builds up to a climactic musical stand-off between student and teacher. Even though the story is centered around a drummer, the musician in me, (a long-time pianist) appreciates it, as would any musician or music lover. Whiplash took home 3 Oscars, in particular, J.K. Simmons' intense and flawless performance earned him that golden statue for Best Supporting Actor. Well deserved! 7.5/10

Birdman is the other film that received a lot of attention receiving a whopping 9 nominations. I had not seen it prior to the awards. So I rented it the other day and watched it with the hubby, mostly out of curiosity. I had read several reviews on the film, and the range was from "Waste of Two Hours (1/10)" to "An excellent satire on showbiz (10/10)" on IMDB. I have actually never seen one of Alejandro Iñárrtu's films, however, I was aware that, like Wes Anderson, his films are in a genre of their own. Birdman stars Michael Keaton as a washed-up actor, Riggan Thomson, who was made semi-famous 20 years ago by portraying a superhero, Birdman. His newest endeavor is a Broadway play, written, directed, and co-produced by Riggan himself. After a fellow actor has an accident on set, Riggan has to replace the character with a difficult, fly-by-night actor, Mike, played by the always fabulous Edward Norton. Not to mention that his recovering-addict daughter, played by Emma Stone, is his assistant and his producer/lawyer/BFF, acted by a thinner & more serious Zach Galifianakis, is riding him to succeed, as well as, avoid a lawsuit. And, oh yeah...he has telekinetic powers and has an alter-ego, none other than.... Birdman! We follow Riggan as he copes with the roller coaster of his unique powers, difficult actors, a possible pregnancy, and the potential of fame, again. This movie is definitely not for everyone, however if you keep in mind that anything, and I mean anything, can happen, and enjoy artsy movies that buck the norm, you may like it. 7/10

After making predications during the Oscar party, which I shall post shortly, my mom and I ended up winning! The golden statue now resides in our window sill, at least 'til next year.

Amanda