The Oscars are tonight, and in honor of them, I've chosen MY candidates for the best movies, crew and actors of the year. Here are the awards for best characters:
Best Onscreen Couple --
Ben Stiller and Amy Adams (Night at the Museum 2)
He doesn't understand half of what she says. She's infatuated and eager to help him. Even Abe Lincoln thinks they're a great couple. What can go wrong here?
Best Onscreen Chemistry (Male) --
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes)
They can bicker like an old married couple, they love each other deeply, and, most importantly, every bit of this is visible onscreen. Downey and Law, both very talented, bring their talents together to create a relationship that's supposed to appear decades old.
Best Onscreen Chemistry (Female) --
Malin Ackerman and Carla Gugino (Watchmen)
Their mother and daughter relationship is bittersweet, and they love each other as much as they dislike and don't understand each other.
Best Hero --
Rorschach (Watchmen)
Rorschach is the ideal antihero, the hero with a past that's so scarred, it leaves you wondering why he decided to play for the good guys' side. The fact that he's so messed up only makes him more of a fascinating character.
Best Villain --
Ozymandias (Watchmen)
I fess up, I'm a sucker for villains who think they're being villainous for the good of the world. And Ozymandias, aka Adrian Veidt, is on top of the world. The head of Veidt Enterprises, this guy has action figures, a TV show, perfume, and probably half a dozen other things that we never got to see onscreen. But he's pretty much willing to give all that up by trying to prevent the nuclear war that he feels is inevitable.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Kell's Awards - Individual Movies
The Oscars are tonight, and in honor of them, I've chosen MY candidates for the best movies, crew and actors of the year. Here are the awards for best individual movies:
Best Animated Film --
Up!
Has there ever been a bad Pixar movie? This one in particular, with excellent voice acting, clever comedy, and amazing characters, definitely hits a home run in the animated movie department.
Best Comedy --
Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian
Very few comedies are educational at the same time, but this one, as well as the first Night at the Museum movie, accomplishes this. It's awesome, taking in historical information and laughing about it at the same time.
Best Horror --
The Haunting in Conneticut
Another ghost movie! So many horror films lately have been all about the gore and shock value, that something with a storyline and good characterization is a welcome breath of fresh air. Also, one of the only horrors based on true stories that haven't been boring for me.
Best Drama --
Public Enemies
Filled with jaw-dropping moments, with great music that accompanies the drama very nicely. Some amazing acting by Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, and a great cast altogether.
Best Adaption --
Watchmen
It's faithful to the graphic novel, while giving its own twists (like the surprise ending) to keep those who've read the comic in the dark. This is the perfect example of a comic book movie.
Best Tear-Jerker --
Up!
If a movie that makes you cry in the first five minutes isn't classified as a good tearjerker, then what is? Pixar movies are notorious for inspiring tears of both joy and sorrow.
Best Animated Film --
Up!
Has there ever been a bad Pixar movie? This one in particular, with excellent voice acting, clever comedy, and amazing characters, definitely hits a home run in the animated movie department.
Best Comedy --
Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian
Very few comedies are educational at the same time, but this one, as well as the first Night at the Museum movie, accomplishes this. It's awesome, taking in historical information and laughing about it at the same time.
Best Horror --
The Haunting in Conneticut
Another ghost movie! So many horror films lately have been all about the gore and shock value, that something with a storyline and good characterization is a welcome breath of fresh air. Also, one of the only horrors based on true stories that haven't been boring for me.
Best Drama --
Public Enemies
Filled with jaw-dropping moments, with great music that accompanies the drama very nicely. Some amazing acting by Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, and a great cast altogether.
Best Adaption --
Watchmen
It's faithful to the graphic novel, while giving its own twists (like the surprise ending) to keep those who've read the comic in the dark. This is the perfect example of a comic book movie.
Best Tear-Jerker --
Up!
If a movie that makes you cry in the first five minutes isn't classified as a good tearjerker, then what is? Pixar movies are notorious for inspiring tears of both joy and sorrow.
Kell's Awards - Behind the Scenes
The Oscars are tonight, and in honor of them, I've chosen MY candidates for the best movies, crew and actors of the year. Here are the awards for best behind-the-scenes work:
Best Art Direction --
Sherlock Holmes
The gothic sets are gorgeous, the costumes accurate and worthy of any cosplayer's envy. From London's darkened streets to Blackwood's underground cult, the sets, costumes and props are all jaw-dropping. Some specific things that I'd like to draw to attention are the bronze tub, Irene's hotel room, Blackwood's cell, Holmes' cluttered room at 221B, and the half-finished Tower Bridge.
Best Cinematography --
Sherlock Holmes
The opening credits on the cobblestone, the clever camera angles (including the whimsical scene with the 'this side up' box) and the pale coloring used when filming all came together to make an amazing-looking film.
Best Costume Design --
Sherlock Holmes
The different interpretations of what Holmes and Watson might have worn were brilliant, including Watson's high-collared jacket during the dinner scene, and Holmes' hurried disguise. Irene and Mary both sported gorgeous gowns as well, such as Irene's pink dress (as well as the jacket that exposed the bustle) and Mary's navy ensemble during the final scene.
Best Makeup --
Star Trek
Some things that I'd really like to note here are the Romulan's tattoos (they all shared a similar look, while being noticeably different), Gaila's skin (the makeup was smooth and gave the appearance of real green skin), and the Vulcans' eyebrows, each pair distinct.
Best Original Score --
Sherlock Holmes
Essentially, the score WAS Sherlock Holmes, a blend of solitary violin, piano, and additional orchestral accompaniment bringing to mind gothic Victorian characters and architecture. It's the kind of music that you want playing in the background as you wake up in the morning, or walk down a hallway, the sort of music that makes your heart skip a beat.
Best Soundtrack --
Watchmen
Watchmen was a very soundtrack-friendly, considering that a lot of songs were mentioned in the graphic novel. Some that were mentioned and included on the soundtrack were "All Along the Watchtower", "The Times They Are A-Changin'", and "Desolation Row", all Bob Dylan songs, two of which were covers on the soundtrack. Other beautiful songs included in the film were "Sound of Silence", "Unforgettable", and "I'm Your Boogie Man".
Best Song --
Desolation Row - Watchmen
My Chemical Romance did a cover of this Bob Dylan song specifically for Watchmen. The song, with lyrics quoted in the graphic novel, fit the storyline beautifully even before the cover. However, this version of it is better suited for the movie. It's raw, it's action-packed, and it's vicious, corresponding with the movie's style. It's the perfect credits song, almost summarizing everything the audience has seen.
Best Visual Effects --
Star Trek
The ships, the fight scenes, the phaser action. as well as all the creature effects and aliens, bring back the best parts of Trek while keeping out the worst parts (paper mache rocks, anyone?). The effects used in Star Trek bring a fresher look to the franchise.
Best Adapted Screenplay --
Watchmen
Reading the graphic novel, and then watching the film, I didn't fail to see the intense similarities. The screenplay kept all the bits that made the graphic novel amazing, including some kickass direct quotes. Even the ending change was appropriate -- it kept even the most devout fans on the edge of their seats.
Best Original Screenplay --
Sherlock Holmes
The characters weren't original, but the storyline most certainly was. This screenplay took some great elements from individual Sherlock Holmes stories and melded them together, adding, of course, a few completely original elements. Blackwood and Coward were formidable villains, and the well-placed comedy and underlying emotional issues for Holmes made the movie multi-layered and very interesting.
Best Art Direction --
Sherlock Holmes
The gothic sets are gorgeous, the costumes accurate and worthy of any cosplayer's envy. From London's darkened streets to Blackwood's underground cult, the sets, costumes and props are all jaw-dropping. Some specific things that I'd like to draw to attention are the bronze tub, Irene's hotel room, Blackwood's cell, Holmes' cluttered room at 221B, and the half-finished Tower Bridge.
Best Cinematography --
Sherlock Holmes
The opening credits on the cobblestone, the clever camera angles (including the whimsical scene with the 'this side up' box) and the pale coloring used when filming all came together to make an amazing-looking film.
Best Costume Design --
Sherlock Holmes
The different interpretations of what Holmes and Watson might have worn were brilliant, including Watson's high-collared jacket during the dinner scene, and Holmes' hurried disguise. Irene and Mary both sported gorgeous gowns as well, such as Irene's pink dress (as well as the jacket that exposed the bustle) and Mary's navy ensemble during the final scene.
Best Makeup --
Star Trek
Some things that I'd really like to note here are the Romulan's tattoos (they all shared a similar look, while being noticeably different), Gaila's skin (the makeup was smooth and gave the appearance of real green skin), and the Vulcans' eyebrows, each pair distinct.
Best Original Score --
Sherlock Holmes
Essentially, the score WAS Sherlock Holmes, a blend of solitary violin, piano, and additional orchestral accompaniment bringing to mind gothic Victorian characters and architecture. It's the kind of music that you want playing in the background as you wake up in the morning, or walk down a hallway, the sort of music that makes your heart skip a beat.
Best Soundtrack --
Watchmen
Watchmen was a very soundtrack-friendly, considering that a lot of songs were mentioned in the graphic novel. Some that were mentioned and included on the soundtrack were "All Along the Watchtower", "The Times They Are A-Changin'", and "Desolation Row", all Bob Dylan songs, two of which were covers on the soundtrack. Other beautiful songs included in the film were "Sound of Silence", "Unforgettable", and "I'm Your Boogie Man".
Best Song --
Desolation Row - Watchmen
My Chemical Romance did a cover of this Bob Dylan song specifically for Watchmen. The song, with lyrics quoted in the graphic novel, fit the storyline beautifully even before the cover. However, this version of it is better suited for the movie. It's raw, it's action-packed, and it's vicious, corresponding with the movie's style. It's the perfect credits song, almost summarizing everything the audience has seen.
Best Visual Effects --
Star Trek
The ships, the fight scenes, the phaser action. as well as all the creature effects and aliens, bring back the best parts of Trek while keeping out the worst parts (paper mache rocks, anyone?). The effects used in Star Trek bring a fresher look to the franchise.
Best Adapted Screenplay --
Watchmen
Reading the graphic novel, and then watching the film, I didn't fail to see the intense similarities. The screenplay kept all the bits that made the graphic novel amazing, including some kickass direct quotes. Even the ending change was appropriate -- it kept even the most devout fans on the edge of their seats.
Best Original Screenplay --
Sherlock Holmes
The characters weren't original, but the storyline most certainly was. This screenplay took some great elements from individual Sherlock Holmes stories and melded them together, adding, of course, a few completely original elements. Blackwood and Coward were formidable villains, and the well-placed comedy and underlying emotional issues for Holmes made the movie multi-layered and very interesting.
Kell's Awards - Leads and Supporters
The Oscars are tonight, and in honor of them, I've chosen MY candidates for the best movies, crew and actors of the year. Here are the awards for best Leads and Supporters:
Best Leading Actor --
Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)
I'm going to admit this right now -- I've never seen a Robert Downey Jr. movie that I didn't enjoy, and this certainly isn't any exception. Sherlock Holmes was starting to turn into this worn-out, iconic character that anyone could be by slapping on a deer-hunting cap and taking up a magnifying glass and pipe. But Downey has breathed new life into Holmes, drawing an obsession out of me and making me realize that this character isn't just a pipe-wielding geek. His Holmes is highly intelligent, attentive, and classical, keeping a lot of the character's best-known traits (aforementioned pipe, cocaine addiction, etc), but also bringing new or lesser-known traits into the picture, such as his dependance on Watson. The result is an overwhelmingly cute while unbelievably badass performance.
Best Supporting Actor --
Jeffery Dean Morgan (Watchmen)
The Comedian of the graphic novel was a complete nut-job. Hell, even Ozymandias claimed that he was 'practically a Nazi'. He's a murderer, a rapist, and, according to him, the realization of the American Dream. Bringing this kind of superhero to the big screen would prove to be a tough job. What kind of movie-goer wants to go into a theater and find themselves face to face with someone like that? Morgan made the character disgusting, but also fascinating. Watching the fall of his Comedian was rather like watching a train wreck in progress. He was a terrible person, but you just couldn't bring yourself to look away. The character was fleshed out by the fact that, if not to that extent, everyone knows a jackass like the Comedian. Morgan kept the character believable, which was part of why it was so eerie.
Best Leading Actress --
Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
As an actress who is currently doing so myself, I can tell you that portraying real people is the one of the hardest things a performer can do. It's not up to you how you portray them. There's no choice in the matter, especially if they're still alive. You've got to worry about whether you're doing it right. You've got to worry about whether they will or would have liked your performance. Meryl Streep hit the nail on the head with this one. Her portrayl of Julia Child is brilliant, accurate, and ever-so-slightly comedic, poking fun at all the right things while remaining respectful. It's an incredibly difficult task, but Streep does it gorgeously.
Best Supporting Actress --
Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes)
Devious, feminine, and dripping with confidence, Irene Adler is the perfect opposing force for Sherlock Holmes, and Rachel McAdams was the perfect choice to portray her. Her charming smile and ladylike demeanor fit the character of Adler like a glove, showing an independant woman living in a man's world who refuses to be held back by her sex. However, as Holmes finds out in his first encounter with her, she's a criminal first and a woman second. McAdams portrays Adler as a woman who can hold her own in bustles and lace as well as trousers and suspenders, an infamous criminal, and, as much as Holmes hates to admit it, 'the one that got away'. Adler knows she drives him crazy and plays with it, even taking advantage of him to satisfy her lust. Past actresses have portrayed Adler as either a tomboy or a perfect lady, but McAdams has, in my opinion, done it right, portraying her as both.
Best Leading Actor --
Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)
I'm going to admit this right now -- I've never seen a Robert Downey Jr. movie that I didn't enjoy, and this certainly isn't any exception. Sherlock Holmes was starting to turn into this worn-out, iconic character that anyone could be by slapping on a deer-hunting cap and taking up a magnifying glass and pipe. But Downey has breathed new life into Holmes, drawing an obsession out of me and making me realize that this character isn't just a pipe-wielding geek. His Holmes is highly intelligent, attentive, and classical, keeping a lot of the character's best-known traits (aforementioned pipe, cocaine addiction, etc), but also bringing new or lesser-known traits into the picture, such as his dependance on Watson. The result is an overwhelmingly cute while unbelievably badass performance.
Best Supporting Actor --
Jeffery Dean Morgan (Watchmen)
The Comedian of the graphic novel was a complete nut-job. Hell, even Ozymandias claimed that he was 'practically a Nazi'. He's a murderer, a rapist, and, according to him, the realization of the American Dream. Bringing this kind of superhero to the big screen would prove to be a tough job. What kind of movie-goer wants to go into a theater and find themselves face to face with someone like that? Morgan made the character disgusting, but also fascinating. Watching the fall of his Comedian was rather like watching a train wreck in progress. He was a terrible person, but you just couldn't bring yourself to look away. The character was fleshed out by the fact that, if not to that extent, everyone knows a jackass like the Comedian. Morgan kept the character believable, which was part of why it was so eerie.
Best Leading Actress --
Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
As an actress who is currently doing so myself, I can tell you that portraying real people is the one of the hardest things a performer can do. It's not up to you how you portray them. There's no choice in the matter, especially if they're still alive. You've got to worry about whether you're doing it right. You've got to worry about whether they will or would have liked your performance. Meryl Streep hit the nail on the head with this one. Her portrayl of Julia Child is brilliant, accurate, and ever-so-slightly comedic, poking fun at all the right things while remaining respectful. It's an incredibly difficult task, but Streep does it gorgeously.
Best Supporting Actress --
Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes)
Devious, feminine, and dripping with confidence, Irene Adler is the perfect opposing force for Sherlock Holmes, and Rachel McAdams was the perfect choice to portray her. Her charming smile and ladylike demeanor fit the character of Adler like a glove, showing an independant woman living in a man's world who refuses to be held back by her sex. However, as Holmes finds out in his first encounter with her, she's a criminal first and a woman second. McAdams portrays Adler as a woman who can hold her own in bustles and lace as well as trousers and suspenders, an infamous criminal, and, as much as Holmes hates to admit it, 'the one that got away'. Adler knows she drives him crazy and plays with it, even taking advantage of him to satisfy her lust. Past actresses have portrayed Adler as either a tomboy or a perfect lady, but McAdams has, in my opinion, done it right, portraying her as both.
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