The Year in Review (So Far...)

I would like to present a roundup of the year in movies so far this year. Here goes.

Top 10 movies:

10. Hugo
9. Midnight in Paris
8. Magic Mike
7. The Amazing Spider-Man
6. The Cabin in the Woods
5. The Hunger Games
4. The Avengers
3. Bernie
2. Prometheus
1. Moonrise Kingdom

Top 10 performances:

10. Kathy Bates in Midnight in Paris
9. Robert Downey Jr. in The Avengers
8. Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man
7. George Clooney in The Descendants
6. Donald Sutherland in The Hunger Games
5. Charlize Theron in Prometheus/Snow White and the Huntsman
4. Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games
3. Michael Fassbender in Prometheus/Shame
2. Everyone in Moonrise Kingdom
1. Jack Black in Bernie- If Jack Black doesn't get a Best Actor Oscar, or at LEAST a nomination, I'll be very surprised.

I'll post my actual Year in Review at the end of the year, complete with The Dark Knight Rises!!

Movie Review: Midnight in Paris

Ah, another romantic comedy masterpiece from one of the most prolific directors of all time, Woody Allen. This film follows Gil (played by Owen Wilson) as he meanders around the streets of Paris looking for inspiration to complete his novel. One midnight stroll, however, proves to be more inspirational than the others, though, as Gil enters a cab and is "transported" back to the 1920's. Here, he encounters many famous artists and writers of the time, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda, Ernest Hemingway, Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein, and Salvador Dali (in a hilarious performance by Adrian Brody), among others. Through his adventures, Gil takes the viewer on a magnificent journey through the streets of Paris, and Owen Wilson is supported by many, many strong performances. The soundtrack also captures the essence of Paris, and changes styles to adapt to the different time periods. The story did get a little confusing at times, switching between time periods, but it all came together eventually. This film did not get many Oscar nominations (including snubs in my opinion for Best Actor and several supporting roles, namely Kathy Bates), but did pick up nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. It really only has a chance to win Best Original Screenplay, though I believe it was much better than some of the films nominated for Best Picture. It was a nice little journey through Paris, and did not try and force itself upon viewers as many of the traditional Best Picture nominees tend too. A very nice surprise, and lighter than other Oscar fare.

Rating: B+
Potential Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director (both of which won't happen), Best Original Screenplay