Bryan’s 2012 Awards

This is the final look back at 2012. I’ve already gone over my top ten movies, my top ten trailers, and my top 20 posters. Now I’m handing out my awards and nominations Academy Award style.

Bryan’s 2013 Oscar Predictions

Even after seeing and analyzing all the nominated films, I still have little faith in my predictions. A few of these categories are no brainers, but many remain toss-ups. There have been rule changes and date changes galore, so expect some new precedents to be set Sunday night. This is merely for fun, so feel free to post your own picks in the comments and you can tease me Monday morning. Also, if you are looking for the best awards and festival coverage around, I highly recommend checking out Kris Tapley and Guy Lodge over at In Contention, which is now part of HitFix. Here are my picks:

2013 Oscar Checklist – The Master List

This madness is almost over (until next year of course). The Oscars are this Sunday and I managed to see every single film nominated. That’s not a humble brag. This whole thing took a lot of time and even more effort. Most importantly, I’m proud to say Shooting the Script has also reviewed all the nominated films…well almost. There are still a few films that slipped by without being reviewed for various reasons. I ran out of time to give them full-length reviews,  so this post will serve two purposes. It will provide links so you can easily find every review of the nominees, and for the few left unchecked, I’ll have a quick capsule review written for them here. Okay, here we go.

Hasa Diga – “War Witch” Review

Set in an unnamed African country ravaged by civil war, War Witch tells the story of one girl’s hellish nightmare. Kidnapped by rebels at the start of the film, Komona (Rachel Mwanza) must adapt in order to withstand her brutal surroundings. It seems like every film about Africa is an unhappy toil through third-world tragedies and War Wtich is no exception.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Ted & Chasing Ice

These two aren’t the most obvious pair, but they’re the only two films nominated for Best Original Song that I haven’t reviewed yet. So there you have it.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Fairest of Them All

Snow White and The Huntsman is a beautiful piece of trash. The story hasn’t changed too dramatically from the fairy tale. The evil queen, played with diva theatrics by Charlize Theron, wants Snow White dead. Snow, played by the always miscast Kristen Stewart, flees to the forest where she encounters seven dwarfs. Of course there’s a handsome prince trying to rescue her, but this film has her attracted to the Huntsman because he’s played by Chris Hemsworth.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Silver Linings Playbook & Django Unchained

Silver Linings Playbook is a rare romantic comedy, not just because it’s good, but also because it works beyond the confines of the genre.

Life of Thor – “Kon-Tiki” Review

I knew nothing of Thor Heyerdahl before seeing Kon-Tiki, the Oscar-nominated Norwegian film that recreates his most famous expedition. In 1947, Thor had developed a theory that the Polynesian islands were originally settled by Peruvians floating on primitive rafts 1500 years ago. At the time no one would listen to Thor, but we learn very early in the movie that Thor doesn’t give up so easily. His name is Thor after all. Heyerdahl decides that the best way to be heard is to prove his theory. To do that, he builds the Kon-Tiki, a raft made solely out of material used by ancient Peruvians. He assembles a small crew and sets out on the Pacific in this classic adventure tale.

Truth in Advertising – “NO” Review

In 1988, after severe foreign pressure, Chilean dictator General Pinochet held elections to legitimatize his leadership. His tenure had been known for human rights violations and all sorts of misdeeds. Dictators aren’t known to be nice people. This is all explained to us upfront before we meet Rene Saavedra a hot young ad man played by Gael Garcia Bernal. Rene is approached to help with the NO campaign opposing Pinochet. Even though Rene’s boss is working with the YES men, Rene takes the job. Most the people think it’s a sham but welcome a chance to be heard. Rene sees something they don’t in this sharp and electric film.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Documentary Feature

Here are reviews of all 5 Oscar nominees for Best Documentary.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Documentary Shorts

Here are reviews of all 5 nominees for Best Documentary Short.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Live Action Shorts

Here are reviews of all 5 nominees for Best Live Action Short.

Actionable – “Zero Dark Thirty” Review

There is a scene early on in Zero Dark Thirty where the main character is asked to assist in water boarding a terrorist detainee. The way the film handles this quick exchange is a lively departure from almost any other Hollywood entertainment. For starters, the hero of the story is Maya, a CIA specialist with a severe one-track mind played by Jessica Chastain. But the movie moves right on past the rarity of a female lead in a major motion picture to use this moment to show you what kind of tone and character you should be prepared for.

2013 Oscar Checklist – Animated Shorts

I’m doing my reviews of Oscar films a little differently this year. I’m just going to unload all the reviews of the films I haven’t yet. Then, when I’m done, I will have a post with links to everything. Around that time I hope to have my completed top ten and any other 2012 leftovers. Let the madness commence!

If I Were King of the Oscars… 2012

It’s time for my nominations! Hopefully, you’ve had a look at my top ten already. Now, it’s time for my favorites in every other category. I posted this last year, so even though the Oscars are long gone, I’m doing it again.  As usual, some of these the Academy got right, others not so much. Here is what my personal ballot for 2011 would look like. A lot of the same movies pop up, but I assure you, I honestly thought about what was best in each category. I didn’t just fill it out with my top 5 films, trust me.