Wiped Out

I think part of the lesson of The Challenge is teaching me that when you commit to something, you keep at it despite being exhausted: emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted. You put one foot in front of the other and finish the task. Tonight- I'm seeing the live action Oscar Shorts.


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Spelling it Wrong

I asked my fellow movie-goer, and another player in 'The Challenge' if he thought they titled the movie 'Biutiful' because ironically it wasn't. What a rough watch that was, and I've sat through some rough watches this season.

I drove home desperately wanting some warm milk to calm my stomach. I hoped fervently to fall asleep and dream of anything but the sights from that movie. I kept waiting for a resolution at the end of the film... a happy one, a sad one, a hopeful/balanced one. There wasn't any. I was left staring at the screen at the as the credits rolled, doubled over in hysterical laughter because any other response would have sent me looking for an oven to stick my head in. I'm sorry, that's awful, but that's how strongly I reacted to this movie.

In an effort to be open-minded, I attempted to look for the positives. When I couldn't find any, I attempted to understand why film festivals and the Academy were drawn to this offering. Firstly, Javier Bardem is amazing. Any actor able to carry a film like this and shoulder the burden of this intense material (and still look handsome through it) deserves some major awardage. Secondly, I think the film is such a wake-up call, to many who feel our crosses are heavy, that it could be so much heavier. In developed countries, without educating ourselves, we have NO idea of the traumas suffered daily by those in underdeveloped and corrupt areas if the world.

I would love to pursue an education in world cinema. I am missing a body of knowledge that helps me understand the random, multiple storylines and morose auras of foreign films.

It's in moments like these that I begin to question why I am doing The Challenge at all.


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Balance

I began my morning at 4 a.m. today and watched "Rabbit Hole" starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart before the sun came up.  My wondering here is why Kidman was recognized with a nomination for her role, but not Eckhart?  Is it harder to play restrained than emotional?  Is it harder to forgive than rage?  As I told I friend, it is very hard to figure out which character to empathize with when the subject matter is so unthinkable that you hope you'll never be able to feel empathy for their situation.

I followed RH with a viewing (finally) of "Exit through the Gift Shop."  I love the title almost more than the movie, because it says so much to me.  I, like many I'd imagine, am not a fan of the way amusement parks give you an exciting and fun experience, and then rob you of it by commercializing that experience as you exit through their gift shop.  I would think that my irritation at that commercialization is only a fraction of the anger these street artists feel at their craft being hijacked by an opportunistic weirdo.

Count as of today in The Challenge:  25 out of 56 films seen, 4 categories viewed in its entirety.  Seeing "True Grit" will help me close off 6 more categories.  I'm not sure why I'm delaying viewing that particular film.

Finally...

... saw "The King's Speech."  Beautiful film.  I could watch Colin Firth on the screen for much longer than an hour and 51 one minutes, stammer or no stammer.  It didn't, however, hit me with a 'wow' factor.  I wasn't disappointed in the film at all, but it didn't leave me as breathless and teary as I had hoped it might.  Geoffrey Rush was wonderful.

That's all I've got tonight, folks.

Quick

Not much time to type tonight.  I had to, however, detail the double feature I took in yesterday.  Finally saw "127 Hours" and "Blue Valentine."  Each of them contained much-hyped scenes that I found weren't that sensational.  Yes, there was a lot of blood in the amputation scene of 'Hours' and yes, the apparent NC-17 scene in 'Valentine' was steamy...  but neither of them (the scenes) left me awestruck.  The films were two of the best I've seen so far.

"127 Hours" was the first movie at which I've gotten emotional.  I'll admit I choked up a little at the end.  "Blue Valentine" offered the first soundtrack that I have wanted to purchase in a long time.  I'm stumped at how Michelle Williams managed to get an Oscar nom when it seems that, as my friend Seán pointed out, it was Gosling who made the biggest transformation for the film and within the film.

What struck me most about "Valentine" however was how differently it was viewed by three different people.  One of us said "It was her fault."  One said "No, it was his."  And the third said "Neither is to blame, it's just how it unfolded."  This is the beauty of film, friends.

You'll see from my list below that I'm making fairly good progress, and I've researched where to find most of the remaining pieces.  The biggest challenges will be "The Tempest," "The Illusionist," the foreign films and the short docs.  I think I've got much of the rest covered (to some extent).

Ouch

That's all I can think to title this one after watching "Salt" with Angelina Jolie and "Dogtooth" the foreign film from Greece.

"Salt" was a fine movie, but I haven't ever really liked Angelina Jolie in anything since "Girl, Interrupted."  It's not her fault, I don't think, I'm just not a fan of the work she is apparently drawn to.

"Dogtooth" reminds me of why the category can be called "foreign" and demonstrate several meanings of the word.  It was such an unusual and uncomfortable film for my tastes...  but the poignancy of Christina finding escape through movies was not lost on me.

I am hoping to catch at least two more movies in the next several days.  I've also been advised the Oscar Shorts are on their way, so I am SUPER grateful for that.  My score sits at 20 out of 56 with just 25 or so days to go.  I have not knocked out any one whole category, but the key films that would help me with that are "127 Hours," "The King's Speech," and "True Grit."

Early Day(s)

I am yearning for bed, but needed to post this baseline blog so that I had a starting block from which to begin the race.

The Oscar Noms were announced SO early and by now it's been beat to death in the blogs that Nolan was robbed. I wonder how he feels about it all.

For me, I am better off than last year, but still have so far to go. Marathon, not sprint. I have seen 18 out of the 56 nominated. I have another 5 in my Netflix queue, and another 4 I can knock out at the theatres. When the Oscar Shorts come to town (around 2/11) I'll wrap up an easy 10. The harder work will be in finding films out of the theatre and not on DVD until March. Less hard but still a chore will be arranging field trips to the cities to see films like "127 Hours" "Biutiful" and "Blue Valentine."

My immediate work begins tomorrow with "Salt." Kudos to my friend Seán for calling that nod back in the fall.

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Culminations, Nominations

Tomorrow is the big day. It starts early for us Pacific Time Zone folks. I'll be watching at 5:38 a.m. to see what films and performances are nominated, and pursuant to The Challenge, how many I've seen prior to tomorrow's announcements.

It will also be do or die time as I set about trying to see the films I haven't seen, which will include foreign, animated and live shorts, short docs and a couple of feature docs. Oh yes, and "The King's Speech." A movie I've been wanting to see since Labor Day.

Bring it.


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Guilt and Getting Somewhere

It has reached that point in The Challenge where I begin to feel guilty for all of the efforts I put into getting somewhere with film-viewing. I'm constantly running out on the family to catch a show or double feature, I get home after they are asleep and I rack up expenses as I buy ticket after ticket (although $5 movie night is saving my ass this year!). As much as I hate the guilt, I love seeing my 'seen' list start to match up to the 'to be seen list.'

Most recently I saw 'Inside Job' and 'The Fighter' back to back. The documentary was okay, but most that I've seen this season have paled in comparison to last year's 'The Cove.' Sean and I got a ride from my mom (you heard me) after the doc and saw 'The Fighter.' You don't need me to tell you it was a great movie with excellent performances- the awards shows are proving that. What you do need to hear (that only I can tell you) is that it was quite entertaining to see Marky Mark and my favorite Newsie cussing and raising all kinds of hell together.

Solo, I went to see 'Black Swan' and I refuse to post any spoilers here. I will divulge that it was the only other film this year at who's viewing I exclaimed: 'Holy Crap!' 'Inception' earned my other exclamation.

In unrelated related news, my friend and I went to see 'From Here to Eternity.' Initial reactions included thinking Frank Sinatra as Magio was as skinny as Christian Bale playing Dicky... and that the themes of film, and love in reality, never seem to alter with time.

Coming up in The Challenge: 'Fair Game' at the State, 'True Grit' on $5 movie night and several docs on Netflix...and of course the NOMINATIONS bright and early on the 25th.


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War and the Golden Globes

Viewing "The Tillman Story" and "Restrepo" in the same week may have been overdoing it.  Both documentaries were heartbreaking and illuminated the utter chaos and confusion that seems to define the situation as it was there.  Many young men being sent in to fight these battles that they don't understand trying to help people who don't understand and inadvertently making a mess out of a mess that was already there to begin with.

To add to my confusion as I try to make sense of the senselessness, the Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning, and "Burlesque" was among the nominees.  Somebody help me...  when was this tracking?  The only other shock was a pleasant one:  "Alice in Wonderland" was nominated for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.

"Black Swan" is arriving in my area on December 17th.  Still no word on "127 Hours" and "The King's Speech."  I still have so many films to see.  It's getting serious now.

Relaxing with a Scintilla of Disappointment

I had anticipated Thanksgiving to be not only a weekend chock-full of calories, but of movies as well.  I had hopes of seeing at least 4 or 5 films between Theatres, Netflix and Pay Per View, which would have allowed my "Movies Already Seen for the Challenge List" to get closer in length to the "Movies to Be Seen" list.  But my 3 year old son got sick and so the best I was able to do was to sneak out of the house with my 9 year old daughter during nap-time to see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1" in the new DBox seats.

The silver lining to this being the only movie I could squeeze in was that the DBox seats are amazing!  In my opinion (if it matters) when you sit in them for the first time, you must see a movie you are passionate about.  I am passionate about Harry Potter (as opposed to "Tron" which will be the next DBox offeirng) and with every flight and every wand jolt I was sucked further into the story.  The tickets are expensive, but they were so worth the experience.

In other challenge activities, I did manage to finish reading Fair Game by Valerie Plame, and began reading The Long Walk Home on which the film "The Way Back" is based.  So the side-benefit to my sub-challenge is paying off...  I am reading works I never would have been exposed to if it weren't for films being adapted from them.

Also over the weekend I was able to update my Netflix queue to reflect the documentaries I need to see after the Academy announced its short-list of the 15 documentaries that are in the running for nomination.  (Thank the stars they narrowed it down from the 101 eligible).

Up next, I'm hoping to take in "The Kids Are All Right" on Pay Per View and sneak out to see "Love and Other Drugs" on $5 movie night at Regal.

My current scorecard will be posted soon, by category, of what tracking films I've seen thus far.

Commitment-Opportunity-Access

As I do my never-ending research in an attempt to fulfill this personal challenge of mine (and keep my blog as updated as possible), I read a lot of opinions. There are many professional (and semi-professional) reviewers out there who feel that there are about eight film bloggers too many, and that EVERYONE fancies themselves critics. When I read those opinions, I had to crystallize for myself what my challenge, and by extension my blog, is really about.

My four year degree is not in film. It's not even in literature or writing, though I've always thought myself to be fairly decent at both. My four year degree is in Organizational Communications which basically means I can see where communication systems breakdown, but I can't always do anything about it. So I have never intended my offerings here to come off as professional or worthy of any type of devotion.

If you have had time to read any of my posts, you know that I attempt to steer clear of hyperbole like "this movie is a 'must see'" or "man this movie wasn't worth my time." In fact, I rarely walk away from a film feeling either of those emotions, anyway. When credits roll after a movie, my head is typically busily going over themes and metaphors and attempting to connect dots between real life and what was portrayed on celluloid. In essence, I try to find a little meaning in everything I see, whether I feel it was 'good' 'bad' or 'otherwise.' I definitely have favorites, and definitely have seen some I've not liked at all... but I don't intend with these posts to sway anyone with any opinion of mine.

When all is said and done, I've discovered that my blog has always really been about commitment, opportunity and access (isn't that life, be you rich or poor, in a nutshell?) I commit to a goal to see as many films as possible that are on track to be Oscar-Nominated. As with any commitment, it isn't always easy to see through. There are days I feel tired, days I don't feel like it, and moments when I feel selfish to be so singularly focused. As far as opportunities go, sometimes they present themselves- but more often than not, I have to create my own. Whether its staying up past my bedtime to watch something on Pay Per View, or going to the movies on a Monday night to catch something before it leaves the big screen, I have to come up with ways to get there and get it done. This challenge has also taught me a lot about the importance of access. In my area, we do not always get access to a deeper kind of film making. For instance, this past weekend at the megaplexes I had my choice of "Saw 3D" "Jackass 3D" or "Paranormal 2." I have very little hope of getting to see documentaries or independent films unless I travel quite a distance to see it and incur greater expense than the cost of a ticket.

I am very lucky to have friends and family who encourage me in this goal. Not surprisingly, it has allowed me to open myself up to many new experiences. I am also lucky to live near a small independent theatre who has societies and clubs and a staff who work tirelessly (translated: jump through distributors' hoops) to give access to and create opportunities for people like me who catch their breath each time the lights go down and the titles come up.


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Slow and Steady- or Not

I'm using all the resources at my disposal to make as much headway in my challenge as possible:  The library, Pay Per View, IMDB, Awards Daily, Fandango, VideoETA, small theatres, large theatres, local film societies and film clubs, and now- NetFlix.  From all my efforts, the following results:

Finished reading "Winter's Bone" and now have it on my DVR (through PPV) for late-night viewing.  Although, the book unsettled my soul enough I may have to consider making it a nap-time viewing.

I viewed "Solitary Man" (which is tracking because of the performance by Michael Douglas) on Pay Per View. Let me first say about the film, do not see it alone in a dark house on a Friday night. It was not scary, but the scenes in which the main character's isolation is highlighted are incredibly adept at making you sense the loneliness... and being alone just makes it feel that much stronger.

Went to a megaplex and saw "Secretariat," which is tracking because of Diane Lane's performance as Penny Chenery, a woman in a man's world who refuses to back down...  and understands (the way only a woman can) the need to let the horse just run.

Tonight, I am looking forward to taking in "Get Low" at our independent film house.  As much as I am looking forward to seeing Robert Duvall's performance, I'm really excited to see Sissy Spacek onscreen again.

I am really digging the "For Your Consideration" Ads this year, so will be featuring them in my blogs.  Where one isn't available, I'll try to use the film poster images like I did last year.

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So Many Stories

I normally don't blog WHILE watching a film, but this is the only quiet time I've had in weeks, and I wanted to catch up.

I am currently watching "Solitary Man" with Michael Douglas. Only a couple of minutes in, so I don't even have an initial thought yet.

My adapted screenplay sub-challenge (Refer to post "So Much Time on My Hands") is going pretty well. I've read "Never Let Me Go," "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," and am currently in the middle of "Winter's Bone." Beyond all being fascinating stories (one more gripping than others) they all seem to be ripe for translating cinematographically. I am really looking forward to seeing them on the screen, since sometimes my imagination gets a little tired and goes all black and white on my backside.

I'm so glad I challenged myself in this way, though. It's given me the chance to read some great works this year.


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Socially Acceptable

Evaluating "The Social Network" is probably one of the most difficult tasks I've ever set out to do. Having zero minutes since seeing it to blog didn't make it any easier. But I've had plenty of time to think, and I have begun to feel that rather than a long-winded explanation, my simple and initial gut-reaction would sum up the film (as I saw it) best.

Everybody wants to belong to something.  The harder we try to be a part, the less we fit in.  Life and social circles, in my opinion, demand our authentic selves.  When we lose ourselves in our quests to fit our square edges into round holes, we find that we arrive right where we began:  alone.

I daresay this filter of mine isn't shared by everyone who saw the film.  To me, the brilliance of "TSN" is that it elicits thoughtful conversations from folks with as many points of view as there are friends on Facebook.  I would love to hear your thoughts on it.


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Think I'm Goin' Back to Massachusetts

The Bee Gees song keeps running through my head after viewing a couple of Oscar-tracking movies these last few days.  Before we get into a discussion about what a dork I am for liking the Bee Gees, let's move on to the film discussion.

First up was "The Town."  I didn't want to like this movie, for many reasons I won't go into.  The one reason I will state is that I have a rough time viewing a film with an open mind when there is a bit of "over-hype" surrounding it.  And in my area, especially, there was some over-hype.  Alas, I really liked it.  My knee-jerk nutshell description of the work was that it was a cross between "Heat" and "Good Will Hunting," which isn't necessarily a positive description, despite those two movies being high on my list of favorites.  Yet the more I discussed the storyline and other aspects with my viewing partner, the more reasons I found to love it.  I didn't want to like Ben Affleck, and I really liked him (especially his temporary tattoos).  I didn't want to believe Jeremy Renner, but I believed him so much it was startling.  Yet thinking of this film in a "Heat" and "Good Will Hunting" framework brings out some of the films negatives:  I wasn't rooting for either side (remember being confused in "Heat" about whether to root for DeNiro to get away with it, or Pacino to bring him down?) and I didn't feel satisfied by the leading man's shot at redemption.

Continuing on with the themes "Massachusetts" and "over-hype," I went to see "The Social Network."  I found myself in the exact opposite scenario from above as I walked into the theatre for this movie.  I really wanted to like it.  I really liked the book Accidental Billionaires, the theme is timely (making all of us a part of the film in some distant way), and the story is a classic tale of greed, deception, and the exploration of what makes a relationship valid and how the digital age is transforming the details of that definition.  Yet I think I'll have to save a discussion of the film for another post, because as I sit here trying to process it 17 hours later, I am finding there are so many layers and levels to the film that I'm almost not sure HOW I felt about it.

Maybe Next Year

For the 4th year in a row I have not gotten selected for Oscar Bleacher Seats. Maybe the 5th anniversary of my mission will be the winner.


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So Much Time on My Hands

Remember when Sandra Bullock smelled gas on Keanu Reeves after he came up from under the bus? Upon hearing his explanation, she chastises him by saying, "You felt you needed another challenge?"

I think she'd be saying something similar to me these days as I continually stretch the reaches of The Challenge.

I have turned my attention to the category of Adapted Screenplay, a bit by accident. Even with all the hype surrounding "The Social Network" I didn't realize it was based on the novel Accidental Billionaires until I spied the book on my boss' desk. I borrowed it and set about reading it before the October 1st wide-release of the film.

Following that exercise, I thought why not do it with all tracking contenders? So I have borrowed the following from the library: Never Let Me Go, Winter's Bone, Flipped, and Between a Rock and a Hard Place (which has been adapted into Danny Boyle's film- "127 Hours.")

Yes, I must have tons of time on my hands. Either that, or I am teaching myself yet again about the type of commitment (and obsession) it takes reach a goal and to do something that makes your heart soar.


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2010 Challenges of the Challenge

I love the area in which I live for many things; access to films is not one of them.  

I was talking (translated: complaining) to fellow Film Society members today about the following quandary:  If I want to see many of the films that appear on Oscar-contender trackers, I've got hours-long drives ahead of me.  Therefore, finding ways to view as many films as possible becomes an excellent exercise in research and time management.  

I have to plot out wide-release dates, research what theatres will be showing the films, and make plans around kids' activities and spousal availability (did I mention being a working mother also presents challenges on top of challenges to my challenge?).  Add to the scheduling woes the fact that some films are no longer in theatres, and some of the documentaries may never make it this way, and then it becomes another research project into DVD release dates (did I mention sleep and I are archenemies?).  To that DVD challenge, a footnote that many of the Blockbusters in my area are closing.  

My last gripe on this proximal handicap of mine:  what on earth will I do if our local indie-favoring theatre decides not to show the animated and live action shorts this season?  I need to get on the phone to the person-in-charge there, because I'll never get close to my goal if those aren't presented again!

What's that quote about the thrill of the chase?

Preconceived Inceptions

I had said I would review "Inception" here, but it's been too long since I've seen it.  It seems besides the point now for me to write down what I thought about the film.  With all of the other critics out there, including those who are paid to tell you what they think, what does my opinion of Christopher Nolan's brilliant work matter?  All I will say  is that "Inception" deserves the Best Original Screenplay award as much as Pulp Fiction did in 1994.  It is unique, suspenseful and thought-provoking.  If you've heard it's too confusing to sit through, do yourself a favor and watch it anyway.  Sit down to view it and promise yourself that you'll make no judgments and that you won't over-think it.  Don't say to yourself "I cannot keep track of all of this."  For when it fades to black, you'll let out one big breath (because you've been holding it the whole time) and realize that you followed it much more closely than you ever could have imagined.  You'll find yourself believing DiCaprio's character when he explains“Dreams feel real while we’re in them.  It’s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.”

Up next:  2010 Challenges of the Challenge