The delicate art of documentaries

As a consumer of media, my tastes tend to lean towards fiction over nonfiction. I find this is true for both literature and film. If Freud were not deceased and somehow a buddy of mine, I'm sure he would have some psychological explanation for my preferences. This is not to say that I do not like documentaries or nonfiction novels at all. Quite the contrary, I believe they require a high amount of skill and precision in order to maintain my attention throughout.


For example, I finally dusted off Man on Wire from my Netflix cue as per the recommendation of my former professor and friend, Amy. The film looks back at the life of high-wire walker Phillipe Petit leading up to his illegal tight rope walk across the Twin Towers in 1974. Unlike most documentaries, the reenactments are extremely well-executed and despite knowing Phillipe survives, filmmakers are still able create tension throughout the entirety of the film.

Two other stunning examples come from HBO's Summer Documentary series. The first is Love, Marilyn. If you know me personally, you would know I admire, love and am a tiny bit obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. In my Stardom class in college, I wrote my thesis paper on her career trajectory and my favorite piece of writing throughout my time at AU. Therefore, after wading through copious amounts of research on the woman, I can say with some authority that this film gives the most authentic and robust portrayal of Marilyn/Norma Rae. I like the format of the doc, too; famous actresses read aloud her personal notes and letters along side interviews from friends.

The second HBO documentary was The Crash Reel, fifteen years of verite footage before and after professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce's half-pipe crash that left him with a traumatic brain injury only weeks prior to competing in the Vancouver Olympics. You expect the documentary to be a typical sports comeback tale; instead, its filled with familial complexities and discussions around the dangerous nature of extreme sports. The final photography, shot at night on the half-pipe with Shaun White is gorgeous, reminding the viewer why we enjoy watching the sport in the first place, despite the risks.

 Most importantly, what has helped re-spark my interest in great docs is learning about the fascinating people who have shaped history. I would be remiss if I did not end this post with a plea to help a Kickstarter project very close to my heart. Be Natural is the untold story of Alice Guy-Blache, the first female director. She wrote, directed or produced more than 1,000 films in the course of her 20 year film career and yet, you never hear of her in film classes. The campaign has four days left and still needs about $100k in order to hit their funding goal. I believe its imperative these filmmakers spread Alice's life story for both women's and film history. Even if you can only donate $1, do it and then tell your friends to do the same.

Russians, Superheros, Princesses and Feisty Teenagers! Oh my!

I really should have checked my class work schedule before beginning this challenge seeing as I have a really big paper due two days after the ceremony but I promise that I will be trying my hardest to finish what I have started.

On another note, I realized while doing this project that I come in with lots of snobby film student-y assumptions about the films that I watch, sorry to subject you to them. It's just how I have been taught to think. Here are the most recent films that I have finished watching:

• Salt (Best Sound Mixing)

My same issue that I had with Nicole Kidman applies here. Angelina Jolie tends to play the same people over and over. The bad but totally self-righteous female lead who can also kick some serious butt. At least she plays the character well. The plot on the other hand was too convoluted and ridiculous for me. I'm not really that adept at the sound categories because though I sort of understand the difference between mixing and editing, I will more than likely not understand to the point of picking a correct answer. That being said, I don't think this really has that good of a shot since it generally goes to films in contention of the Best Picture prize. The exception of course being Pirates of the Caribbean 2 in which the film won both sound awards in 2007.

• Tangled (Best Original Song)

I genuinely thought that this was going to be another cheesy princess movie produced by Disney but honestly, I loved this. My roommate Laura was raving about it prior to me watching it and I can thoroughly see now why. It's really wholesome and amusing. Generally my issue with songs from animated films is that they really don't have anything to do with major plot points but "I See the Light" fits pretty well with the film. I also have an affinity for Mandy Moore ever since I fell in love with A Walk to Remember when I was about 9. Unfortunately though, the Academy recently has been moving away from giving the awards to animated features. Enchanted was nominated for three different songs and lost to a song from Once.

• Iron Man 2 (Best Visual Effects)

Any excuse to watch RDJ is a good one for me. Playboy superhero Tony Starks returns with a new enemy on his hands, Mickey Rourke's Whiplash. The visual effects in this film, like the first as well, are impressive but I do have to say a little overdone. I like my action movies to have some real looking content and the last half hour of the film is all CGI special effects business. Good for the kiddies and men that like to see stuff blown up but not particularly my cup of tea.

• Winter's Bone (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor- John Hawkes, Best Actress- Jennifer Lawrence, Best Adapted Screenplay)

I will never ever in my life go to the Ozarks region. I'm not sure exactly where this was shot but for once, this shows that the people that live there are not just dumb poor hicks. The societal order of the poor community is astounding and truly terrifying. A very unique film with outstanding performances by both Lawrence and Hawkes, it really is no wonder why they both were nominated. Strong yet really vulnerable at the same time, Lawrence is relentless and moving in pursuit of her father and in keeping her family's land. I was really surprised how much I liked this film whenever I guiltily went in thinking that it was going to be Sundance Oscar bait film. With such heavy competition in all the categories, the only category it really seems to have a chance with is going to be Adapted Screenplay which isn't even fair seeing as it is in the same category as The Social Network.

25 down, 33 to go. 

Have You Missed Me?

Sorry for the delay on this post. For those of you who know me, I am in a sorority. Whenever you take a "little" or someone you mentor, you decorate their room for four days before you find out who they are. This takes up a crazy amount of time with crafting and what not. There was also the little thing called the Superbowl in which my PACKERS WON!! Wahoo!! Had to throw that in their and I hope that I am not alienating any of my readers that are Steelers fans.

That being said, there are no excuses for not making my deadline. I have watch four new movies and here are my thoughts on them:

•  Rabbit Hole- Best Actress Nicole Kidman

It is interesting to see the evolution of Nicole Kidman from a box office star to a indie star with the except of this week's release of Just Go With It. Though her acting is phenomenal as a woman who has lost her children in an accident, I feel as though I may have seen her in this part in a different movie. Kidman has gotten down how to play emotionally wrecked underneath the surface and the Academy seems to love just nominated her for it. This isn't to discredit those actors who play the parts they fit well like Katherine Hepburn whose whole career was built on her "character". Very emotionally charged movie with even better acting I would say from Aaron Eckhart but not the winner so far for this category in my opinion.

•  The Illusionist- Best Animated Feature Film

Sylvain Chomet and his animation team has master the art of three dimension in two dimensional films. It's films like this that make me truly love film. Though a French product with a few French phrases, the film for the most part does not have any dialogue. I haven't really read anything about the film prior to watching it and I was pleasantly surprised how much of a story we can infer by actions and facial expressions alone. This film proves the point that national cinema and language does not actually have to be a barrier. The animation was beautiful, giving real depth to an otherwise two dimensional film, as previously stated. Though Toy Story 3 seems to be the clear cut winner with a Best Picture nod as well, the Academy could hand the award to Chomet since he lost in 2003 to another Disney picture, Finding Nemo.

•   How To Train Your Dragon- Best Animated Feature

Poor DreamWorks. Every year they come out with a really delightful film that has to lose to a Disney film. Dragon is a film about a young Viking who befriends a dragon and convinces his village that dragons on the whole are not evil. Toothless is the most adorable creature and I would love to have him as a pet. The disappointed father to whom the main character must prove his worth to is a little overplayed but Jay Baruchel's delightful comedic turn on the character of Hiccup made the film very enjoyable. A great film for kids that will more than likely not walk away with the trophy at the end of the night.

• Tron: Legacy- Best Sound Editing

While I am a huge fan of the first movie, I was surprised that this got nominated at all seeing as it is a futuristic action movie. Not exactly Academy material. The first film was also nominated in this category as well as costume design though it did not win either award. I was even more surprised that it was nominated for something like Sound Editing and not Visual Effects. I thought the visuals were great especially seeing that they made Jeff Bridges look twenty-something again. Garrett Hedlund is extremely attractive and does a decent job for an action film. The same could be said for rising star Olivia Wilde. An enjoyable action film to watch but it more than likely will not win based on the favorites that are also nominated in this category.


Feeling the pressure a little bit now seeing as there are only 15 days until the ceremony but I will pull all-nighters if it means completely this....well not actually because I've never pulled one before and I tend to fall asleep watching movies. Ask my roommates or my parents or my boyfriend or basically anyone that knows me well.

21 down, 37 to go.

Hereeeeee are the Nominations!

FINALLY! The day that you have all been waiting for: the official start to my blogging.

Also known as the day that the Academy announces who the nominees are for the 2011 Academy Awards but we all know that you are more excited to read my ramblings though...right?

So here is the official Academy Award site. It should automatically pop up on the nominations section but if not, just use one more click. I'm sure you all are smart enough to figure it out :)

A few snubs that are worth talking about here, most importantly Christopher Nolan.

It came as a shock to many that the Inception director did not garner a nomination though it is important to note that he has been snubbed in the past as well. Nolan has yet to achieve a personal nomination for direction but has been recognized for his screenwriting skills.

Other note-worthy snubs at least in my opinion include Miss Julianne Moore in The Kids Are Alright (though this was a little bit of a long shot, I still really like her and wanted her to get some recognition), the much buzzed about documentary Waiting for Superman, critically land uber-adorable Despicable Me. 

On the other hand, we get to see Mark Ruffalo's face due to a surprise Best Supporting Actor nod

and youngster Hailee Steinfeld as well.

There are 58 nominated films and I'm starting at 11 previously viewed films. The ones that I have seen not as recently, I MIGHT re-watch heavily dependent on homework and an actual social life.

This will be the craziest month of my life. I'm glad that you all are here to join me!

Red Carpet Breakdown

While some may have deemed the Golden Globes a surprise earlier on this week, I beg to differ.

First of all, there are only 90 members in the Hollywood Foreign Press Society. This would mean that in order to get a majority vote, only 46 members would have to vote for your film. Some might think that this is a great deal but in comparison to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has 6,000 members and therefore a majority would mean convincing 3,001 people. The legitimacy of the Golden Globes has greatly decreased in my option as previously stated which is another reason why Ricky Gervais' opening monologue about The Tourist being nominated. As many of you probably already know, The Social Network cleaned up many of the top awards. Annette Benning and Natalie Portman (!!) walked away with the Best Actress tophies while Colin Firth and Paul Giamatti were the Best Actors. The Fighter walked away with both supporting prizes which will probably be similiar to the Oscars as well.

TV is not the point of this blog but I'm still a little upset that Tina Fey didn't win because she is my idol.

That said, there are awesome fashion wins and disasters to talk about as I promised!

The winner in my book is Anne Hathaway.

I can't wait to watch her host the Oscars just because she is gorgeous and adorable and I have a HUGE lady crush on her. Next on my list is....

I wish this was MY So-Called Life. Very minimalist but very chic. Love it. I am not a fashion guru though so for more coverage and citing where I got my photos from visit Fashion Editor at Large

The Challenge and its Parameters

Hello blogging world! My name is Paige and I've challenged myself to see all of the nominated films before the ceremony starts on February 27th.

Though the actual nominations have not been released, I will be hopefully be catching the wave early by watching some films that have garnered some awards season buzz and wins in other ceremonies such as the Golden Globes or the Critics' Choice. I will be watching and then critically noting the films based on categories for all you lovely folks out there reading this. Last year there were 56 nominated films.

Here are my parameters for this most epic of challenges:

• I will watch every film. Short, long, animated, foreign, none will be excluded.

• Whether you like it or not, I will be watching some of these illegally. Though I will have some birthday money coming my way *wink wink to any relatives reading this*, I am an extremely busy COLLEGE STUDENT with an unpaid internship. Netflix will also be aiding me as well as YouTube and other means. If you really have an issue with this, feel free to send me $11 to help me pay to see the film.
• I will finish the whole list within two days of the ceremony so that I can pick my full list carefully. This means that I will have 31 days to complete this challenge.

I have already seen The Social Network, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are Alright, Toy Story 3, and Alice in Wonderland (hey, it might get it for score, costumes or some sort of visual category).

I'm excited for the nominations on January 25th and for the start of this challenge. Thank you all for reading my blog and be sure to check back in on my progress!