This list is far from final, just assorted from the close to 40 films I've seen, and a few descriptions included. Rank in terms of quality are listed from top to bottom in each category.
Best Picture:
Marie Antoinette
Miami Vice
The Fountain
Pan's Labyrinth
The Curse of the Golden Flower
The last two choices in this category is really a competition between four films: Pan's Labyrinth, The Curse of the Golden Flower, Children of Men, and The Departed. All rated eights and all are exceptionally close in quality. The winner of this category was the most difficult decision, since essentially this year has been the highlight of the top two films. However, with the release of the Marie Antoinette DVD, I am likely to make my final decision for the best film of the year.
Best Director
Sofia Coppola - Marie Antoinette
Michael Mann - Miami Vice
Darren Aronofsky - The Fountain
Alfonso Cuaron - Children of Men
Martin Scorsese - The Departed
The choice to select Sofia Coppola in this category is less of a question mark than Best Picture, since one of the reasons why I have went with Marie Antoinette as the best all year long could be that I considered it the superior technical film. While I absolutely adored the alien, retro, ode-to-the 21st century look of Miami Vice and the swift, confusing pacing of Mann's camera, Sofia's mastery of the look of the period is something that I have never seen before, considering the comparison to Barry Lyndon and Fanny och Alexander. It creates a look all on its own, a completely fashionable, feminist world; a dreamy, half period drama, half puppy show, half absurdist whimsical nonsense. The reason for opting to go with Scorsese and Cuaron is that I believe Children of Men to be more of a director's film; especially mastering the look of the last 20 minutes, with its use of greyish haze that splatters over the crumbling buildings to create an imaginative image of smoke-laden dystopian warfare. Not seeing anything too majestic about Del Toro's directing and slightly questioning Zhang's use of too much color to create an interior rainbow setting, Scorsese takes the last spot. And besides, it's his year right?
Best Actor
Hugh Jackman - The Fountain
Colin Farrell - Miami Vice
Leonardo Dicaprio - The Departed
Clive Owen - Children of Men
Aaron Eckhardt - Thank You For Smoking
This category, like Best Picture, is an extremely close competition between the top two. Where you have Jackman through his frantic confusion and his gasping for air is able to ooze a performance from the heart, with several nail-hitting scenes of grievances and worrisomeness, you have Farrell giving an equally worthy performance of a "human" cop. He doesn't portray the stereotypical tough cop, he creates a real human character, evident in any scene away from work (with Gong Li), and his googly, flirtacious eyes and semi-cop smirk which highlights the nature of his smooth seduction. Dicaprio takes an easy third place, with Owen's Bogart-esque, regular Joe performance (did all he can with his character) fourth, and Eckhardt's charismatic, smart mouth portrait squeezing into the last spot.
Best Actress
Kirsten Dunst - Marie Antoinette
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada
Gretchen Mol - The Notorious Bettie Page
Ivana Banquero - Pan's Labyrinth
Beyonce Knowles - Dreamgirls
Basically a steal, Kirsten easily takes the award. Her performance is basically what Sofia wanted, she's like an image in her absurd creation, everything from the intentional fake crying, her giggly, smily, and blush red face compliments Sofia's character sublimely. Fantastic casting choice to pick the dollish, childish Dunst to play Marie and a fantastic performance from Dunst. Streep's muted, cruel schoolteacher quality to her performance makes her my favorite of the nominees and the last choices include a fun-to-watch Gretchen Mol, an affecting, tear-inducing Ivana Banquero, and a great second half effort by Beyonce Knowles.
Best Supporting Actor
Jack Nicholson - The Departed
Sergei Lopez - Pan's Labyrinth
Jamie Foxx - Miami Vice
Steve Carell - Little Miss Sunshine
Mark Wahlberg - The Departed
A close race between Nicholson and the overlooked Lopez. Nicholson is more than just fun-to-watch, it might be the best mob boss portrayal I have seen in a long time, lending a nasty edge to his character as well as convincingly give off a bummish, underground mob boss edge to his rat-ish routine. Lopez's boot-stomping brutality can be considered a one note routine, but there is a sinister quality to his performance which makes him a worthy candidate to challenge Nicholson. Foxx is a close third, probably the best expressionless acting I have seen in a while, the scene in the hospital can be taken of note, when he is beginning to realize the consequences of his job. In this scene, we know that he's becomes a man, and fantastic acting by Foxx to lend realism to his character.
Best Supporting Actress
Emily Blunt - The Devil Wears Prada
Rachel Weisz - The Fountain
Mia Kirshner - The Black Dahlia
Scarlett Johansson - Scoop
Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Science of Sleep
It hurts me to snub Gong Li in both categories, but she was just not terrific in neither performances this year compared to the young actresses in this category. There is a possible steal in this category, with Rachel being a close, but not that close, second... to Emily Blunt's basically creating her own personality. On second thought, I take that back, this category's a steal.
Best Original Screenplay
Miami Vice
The Fountain
Marie Antoinette
Pan's Labyrinth
Little Miss Sunshine
Until Marie Antoinette gets released on DVD, my opinion right now is that while Marie Antoinette deserves to take director, Miami Vice's Heat-esque structure of backstories and supporting characters complimenting one another, along with the conflicting intrinsic character conflicts remains this year's best screenplay. The Fountain is certainly a better written film than directed, and the same could be said about the last two films.
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Departed
The Curse of the Golden Flower
Children of Men
The Devil Wears Prada
Casino Royale
Not the strongest category for me, The Departed wins by default.
------------------------------------Secondary Selections-------------------------------------
Best Cinematography
Marie Antoinette
Miami Vice
Children of Men
The Fountain
The Curse of the Golden Flower
Best Editing
Miami Vice
Marie Antoinette
The Departed
Children of Men
The Fountain
Best Art Direction
Marie Antoinette
The Curse of the Golden Flower
Miami Vice
The Fountain
Pan's Labyrinth
Best Costume Design
Marie Antoinette
The Curse of the Golden Flower
The Devil Wears Prada
Dreamgirls
The Fountain
Best Score
The Fountain
Pan's Labyrinth
Babel
Marie Antoinette
Miami Vice
Best Make-Up
Pan's Labyrinth
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Marie Antoinette
Best Sound
Miami Vice
Marie Antoinette
The Fountain
The Curse of the Golden Flower
The Departed
Best Sound Editing
Miami Vice
Marie Antoinette
United 93
The Departed
Children of Men
Best Visual Effects
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
The Fountain
Pan's Labyrinth
(Best Foreign Language Film goes to Pan's Labyrinth, Best Animated Feature goes to Ice Age: The Meltdown, Best Documentary goes to An Inconvenient Truth and Best Song goes to Miami Vice)
Total Wins
Marie Antoinette - 6
Miami Vice - 5
The Departed - 2
The Fountain - 2
Pan's Labyrinth - 2
An Inconvenient Truth - 1
The Devil Wears Prada - 1
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - 1
Ice Age: The Meltdown - 1
Total Nominations
Marie Antoinette - 12
The Fountain - 12
Miami Vice - 12
Pan's Labyrinth - 9
The Departed - 8
The Curse of the Golden Flower - 6
Children of Men - 6
The Devil Wears Prada - 4
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - 2
Little Miss Sunshine - 2
Dreamgirls - 2
An Inconvenient Truth - 1
Babel - 1
United 93 - 1
Ice Age: The Meltdown - 1
Scoop - 1
The Science of Sleep - 1
Casino Royale - 1
Thank You For Smoking - 1
The Black Dahlia - 1
The Notorious Bettie Page - 1
Shut Outs:
The Queen
The Descent
Snakes on a Plane
Inside Man
The Illusionist
World Trade Center
Flags of Our Fathers
V for Vendetta
Half Nelson
Hollywoodland
X-Men 3
Shortbus
Little Children
Sherrybaby
Candy
The Da Vinci Code
Art School Confidential
The Break-Up
Basic Instinct 2
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33 comments:
Thought #1: It Pan's me to say it but said film is just not as good as people make it out to be. It just... bothers me that no one seems to have anything to say against it! Still like it a lot, but you know.
"Listen to me asshole. I do not want that motherfucker near me."
Great acting by Colin.
And The Fountain for original screenplay??? No way! The screenplay was such a mess. It skips from one story to another without any warning, it just totally messes the whole structure. The emotional impacts of the stories are ruined. Worst thing about the movie.
But here's something I agree with. My director line up would be exactly the same as yours. Maybe someone else instead of Sofia, but I don't know who right now.
Oh, God. Little Miss Sunshine for Screenplay.
Oh, that too. Terrible screenplay. Everything was just so fucking obvious in that movie.
Steve Carell gave by far the best performance though. I agree with you nominating him.
*Edited*
still a bit uncomfortable about it, but... for now.
"Thought #1: It Pan's me to say it but said film is just not as good as people make it out to be. It just... bothers me that no one seems to have anything to say against it! Still like it a lot, but you know. "
Agreed.
"And The Fountain for original screenplay??? No way! The screenplay was such a mess. It skips from one story to another without any warning, it just totally messes the whole structure. The emotional impacts of the stories are ruined. Worst thing about the movie.
But here's something I agree with. My director line up would be exactly the same as yours. Maybe someone else instead of Sofia, but I don't know who right now. "
Nonononono. I'll get back to you on this.
what d'ya think of the rest of the nominees?
Did you just see Pan's or has that always been top five of this year for you? I hadn't noticed it before.
no i just saw it. I think it's overrated slightly, and it might be because i just saw it that i'm putting it this high, but for now.... of course it could change very fast.
Best Picture:
Marie Antoinette
Best Director
Michael Mann - Miami Vice
Best Actor
Pirates of the Caribbean 2 - depp
Best Actress
Kirsten Dunst - Marie Antoinette
Best Supporting Actor
The Departed - jack
Best Supporting Actress
Nobody i care
Best Original Screenplay
Marie Antoinette
Best Adapted Screenplay
Children of Men
Best Cinematography
Marie Antoinette
Best Editing
Children of Men
Best Art Direction
Marie Antoinette
Best Costume Design
Marie Antoinette
Best Score
Marie Antoinette
Best Make-Up
Marie Antoinette
Best Sound
Miami Vice
Best Sound Editing
Marie Antoinette
Best Visual Effects
Pirates of the Caribbean 2
And I thought Pan was better directed than written? Most of its problems (unfocused themes, disconnected plotlines, half-baked politics and sense of reality, etc) are script-related...
Did I just post at the exact same time as Shang?
The hell, Shang?
Best Actor
Pirates of the Caribbean 2 - depp
[confused]
Yes...he's so funny. Ok, take Paul Dawson or Clive Owen if you want.
"Beyonce Knowles - Dreamgirls"
You disappoint me.
Which is why I wouldn't call it a superior writing film either.
"Most of its problems (unfocused themes, disconnected plotlines, half-baked politics and sense of reality, etc) are script-related..."
Add to an ending where the idea of "sacrifice" is illicited by a simplistic 'kingdom world' allegory. clearly intended to jerk some tears.
And you're bashing your 3rd best film of the year?
For full-on objectivity, consult Tea's list.
"Add to an ending where the idea of "sacrifice" is illicited by a simplistic 'kingdom world' allegory. clearly intended to jerk some tears."
Except that finale actually results as a natural development of the storyline in that it suggests that there might be a basis of truth to her "fantasy." I think it worked just fine. Bo.
You still haven't answered my question.
For full-on objectivity, consult Tea's list.
"And The Fountain for original screenplay??? No way! The screenplay was such a mess. It skips from one story to another without any warning, it just totally messes the whole structure. The emotional impacts of the stories are ruined. Worst thing about the movie."
Erm, the directing wasn't anything too special, except for a few hues of darkness, basically everything is shot in a low-tone light. No, it's a script movie by far.
Here's how I see it:
Marie Antoinette - directing
Miami Vice - slightly script
The Fountain - script
Pan's - slightly directing
Departed - slightly writing
Children of Men - directing
The Curse of the Golden Flower - slightly directing
Wow, movie freak. I've never disagreed with you as much as I have now.
This is Aronofsky's film. He wrote it, he filmed it, etc. The look of the film is perfect, especially the production design in the 16th century segments and the visuals in the future segments. It's a very individual film you know? It's Aranofsky's vision.
The script is the worst part. I'm not arguing whether or not this was a "script movie" or not. Maybe it was, but it sure was a bad script movie.
The narrative is weak. Intercutting storylines take away from the emotional impact. And this was one movie that could have easily played on the emotional aspect of the "everlasting love" premise. Just when we're getting into one storyline, it abruptly cuts into another story. It interrupts the flow and the emotion.
Thus, poor character development. The characters aren't deep, they're always the same. Rachel's character is dying and she's content, Tommy is furiously trying to save her. It doesn't go any further than that because there are two more stories to show! You can't develop anything when there's so much going on. We also have so many symbols, we're left trying to figure out what they are rather than focus on the story at hand.
The main story is about Tommy trying to save his wife. Again, this is the part where the viewer should connect with these people, care for them. But no. His fear, his sadness, his anger is shown to us, but it's not experienced by us. That's bad writing.
The repetition thing is boring. Repeated lines, repeated scenes, repeated symbols, etc. It slows down the movie.
Basically the movie is just kinda empty. Considering it spans over 1000 years and is about everlasting love and immortality, it's missing all the emotion.
Don't get me wrong though, the movie is good. Aronofsky has some great ideas. But emotion is everything, right?
"This is Aronofsky's film. He wrote it, he filmed it, etc. The look of the film is perfect, especially the production design in the 16th century segments and the visuals in the future segments. It's a very individual film you know? It's Aranofsky's vision."
so did the illusionist. it clearly had some medieval look to it, but really nothing more than shot from a radiant glow or something like that, just like the illusionist did. it doesn't exactly create its own look, 15th centuryish, magician-esque, medieval bleakness is something that's seen every year. i do admit that the long robes that rachel weisz wore is genius costume design and does have that lotr-ish look to it, but that's not to confused with great cinematography hopefully.
"Rachel's character is dying and she's content, Tommy is furiously trying to save her. It doesn't go any further than that because there are two more stories to show! "
just like 2046 then. the other stories are supposed to compliment this one and in which the present one will make more sense.
"You can't develop anything when there's so much going on. We also have so many symbols, we're left trying to figure out what they are rather than focus on the story at hand."
Nothing wrong with that.
"Basically the movie is just kinda empty. Considering it spans over 1000 years and is about everlasting love and immortality, it's missing all the emotion."
subjective.
erm?
Actually i take that back, it does have that 'beacon of light' quality in its symbolic segments, but that looks more like fake cgi than smooth, natural cinematography. it's superior to the illusionist in cinematography no doubt, and the cinematography is actually quite good, but hardly enough to outweigh the script?
when its dvd release?
Um yeah. I'm being totally subjective btw. Why I thought the script was bad.
The only things I'd nominate The Fountain for: 1) score. 2) visual effects. Not cinematography, because as you've said, we've seen it all before. It's good, but pretty simple I thought.
And the future segments of 2046 didn't take away from the emotion. They were there to enhance it, give it even more power. It succeeded.
The stories in The Fountain do complement each other. All three time periods make sense together, not by themselves. I just thought the whole combining of the stories could have been better written, more smooth, focusing on the emotion, which is what the movie is essentially about. Emotion, love, caring, etc. It fails to emote anything of the sort in me.
DVD's out in May.
Lol. i can't argue with you, sen, you're too sweet. but two nomination only? come on, it deserves more than that.
What are you five directors picks? since you mentioned it above.
Oh alright movie freak. Maybe one more for Hugh Jackman.
Director picks:
Michael Mann - Miami Vice
Darren Aronofsky - The Fountain
Alfonso Cuaron - Children of Men
Martin Scorsese - The Departed
Richard Linklater - A Scanner Darkly (because linklater is the man)
erm, ok "SenileFelines"
Make a nomination list and blog it k? It's fun.
Um k. But I haven't seen many of the acclaimed ones. I'll do it later.
Neither have I. I'm making it out of a 40 movie list.
Okay then!!
The Fountain sounds cooler than Marie Antoinette. I don't believe it.
It's not
Best Picture:
The Departed
Best Director
Martin Scorsese
Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio-The Departed
Best Actress
Kate Winslet- Little Children
Best Supporting Actor
Jack Nicholson- The Departed
Best Supporting Actress
Abigail Breslin- Little Miss Sunshine
Best Original Screenplay
Pans Labyrinth
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Departed
Best Cinematography
Miami Vice
Best Editing
Children of Men
Best Art Direction
The Prestige
Best Costume Design
Marie Antoinette
Best Score
Pans Labyrinth
Best Make-Up
Pan's Labyrinth
Best Sound
Miami Vice
Best Sound Editing
Blood Diamond
Best Visual Effects
Pans Labyrinth
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