ApeDonkey Staff Official Oscar Ballots

Yes I'm officially upgrading Barry and I to the title of staff. Here is our official Oscar ballots and by official I mean, on record. Maybe one day Barry will be a member of the Academy and we can all say we knew him when. Until then the official ApeDonkey ballots will have to do.

Best Picture


Fidoz
My Pick: Black Swan
Prediction: The King's Speech

Black Swan was my personal favorite of the contenders but with no real dominant film the voters will default to historical importance.

Barry

My Pick: Black Swan
Prediction: The King's Speech

I don't have a problem with either of these two or The Social Network winning. All deserving.

 
Best Director

Fidoz
My Pick: Darren Aronofsky
Prediction: David Fincher

Fincher is thrown a bone as The Social Network is shutout in most of the other categories.

Barry
My Pick: David Fincher
Prediction: Tom Hooper

Both were faced with the daunting task of making something inherently not very interesting and making it extremely interesting.

Best Actor

Fidoz
My Pick: Colin Firth
Prediction: Colin Firth

Firth should have won last year for A Single Man and is this year's biggest lock.

Barry
My Pick: Colin Firth
Prediction: Colin Firth

This performance coupled with his snub of Single Man's performance all but guarantee him this win.

Best Actress

Fidoz
My Pick: Natalie Portman
Prediction: Natalie Portman

Portman's was far and away my favorite performance by any actor this year.

Barry
My Pick: Natalie Portman
Prediction: Natalie Portman

A lot of late steam for Annette Benning, but I just don't think anyone can watch both performances and put Benning over Portman.

Best Supporting Actor

Fidoz
My Pick: John Hawkes
Prediction: Geoffery Rush

I think either Bale or Portman are going to be upset. I'm putting my money on the actor in The King's Speech.

Barry
My pick: Christian Bale
Prediction: Christian Bale

Perhaps the biggest lock even with Rush winning the BAFTA.

Best Supporting Actress

Fidoz
My Pick: Hailee Steinfeld
Prediction: Hailee Steinfeld

Voters will split between Adams and Leo. The rest will be like me and moved by Steinfeld's ability to hold her own opposite Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.

Barry
My Pick: Amy Adams
Prediction: Melissa Leo

Perhaps the most contested award. I wouldn't be surprised or upset with a Hailee Steinfeld win either.

Best Documentary Feature

Fidoz
My Pick: Restrepo
Prediction: Restrepo

I don't know how voters can not be moved to vote for Restrepo. Powerful Documentary.

Barry
My pick: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Prediction: Inside Job

I just don't think Exit has the substance necessary to win. Restrepo also great.

Best Screenplay Original

Fidoz
My Pick: The King's Speech
Prediction: The King's Speech

The King's Speech keeps rolling in the weakest of all the fields.

Barry
My Pick: The King's Speech
Prediction: The King's Speech

My thoughts on Inception are well documented so I would lament a win here.

Best Screenplay Adapted

Fidoz
My Pick: The Social Network
Prediction: The Social Network

Give Sorkin a very big trophy for making FaceBook interesting.

Barry
My Pick: The Social Network
Prediction: The Social Network

Sorkin desperately needs to thank Ben Mezrich for the work he put in. Also, what was Toy Story 3 adapted from? Or are all sequels put into the adapted category?

Best Cinematography

Fidoz
My Pick: The Social Network
Prediction: True Grit

I thought The Social Network was a beautifully shot film but Oscar voters love the expanse of western landscapes.

Barry
My Pick: Inception
Prediction: Inception

None of my problems with Inception have to do with its stunning visuals. And after it's ASC award, Inception is the clear leader to sweep the tech awards.

Best Scenes From the Films of 2010

It’s almost March 2011, but given that the Academy Awards have not yet taken place, I feel discussing movies from 2010 still to be relevant. The best pictures and actors and directors have been discussed and debated ad nauseum, so I thought I’d talk about something I think very interesting: what are the best scenes from movies in 2010? There are few great films, like The Social Network, where the sum is greater than the whole of their parts. While a great movie, it didn’t have that one scene that stood out. I will warn you, there will be SPOILERS. This post also lets us include great comedies in the “best of...” discussion. So without further adieu, in descending order, the Best Scenes of 2010:

12. “Wee Man Midget Fight”, Jackass 3D:
In one of the more enjoyable movies of 2010 this particular scene made me so excited because it utilized my two favorite things about Jackass scenes: story and outsiders reactions. Just great use of the “piling on” story telling technique. Enter scorned boyfriend, he brings in his midget friends, they fight, in come midget cops, and just when you think it’s over, midget paramedics! I just love that no body in the bar broke it up. You can’t break up a good midget fight. Law

11. “Gettin’ Her Daddy’s Bones,” Winter’s Bone:
I wasn’t completely sold on Winter’s Bone the movie, but this scene can not be denied. It fully encapsulates the world that is created. Seeing Ree reach down and grab the hand of her deceased father was haunting and moving. I wish the best scene from this movie included John Hawkes, but alas, chainsaw dismemberment wins out.

10. “Hallway Fight,” Inception:
Another movie I wasn’t particularly high on, but it’s stunning visuals were just that: stunning. This fight was imaginative and innovative. Cut together with scenes from other states of dreams, it really showed the thought in the choreography. I’m pretty amazed JGL never hit his head on a boom mic or camera while flipping around.



9. “Fake Sex,” Easy A:
I’m not entirely sure why this movie didn’t get more run. Emma Stone delivers a comedic tour de force in this modern day retelling of Scarlet Letter. The inciting incident in this film is just top notch comedy. I particularly loved when Brandon , played by Dan Byrd, exclaims, “Can you smell that?” I just loved seeing two kids stumble through the sounds and motions of sex having never actually done it.

8.“Fall of Big Daddy,” Kick-Ass:
What is with awesome fights in hallways in 2010? Oscar snub Chloe Moretz as Hit-Girl, gives us not only one of the best scenes of 2010, but definitely the most “bad ass.” There’s just something about watching an 11 year old deliver merciless head shots to several henchman. This scene is made infinitely better coming off the heels of perhaps the best line of the movie, “Show’s over mother f*ckers.” I can’t wait for the sequel to come out.

7. “I Won’t Dance,” Step Up: 3D:
I think I’m going to lose some of you here, but hear me out. The Academy Awards honors, acting, directing, writing, original songs, etc. It’s long overdue to include a Best Choreography category. Dance is a vital part of entertainment and we shouldn’t dismiss it. This scene was absolutely perfect. Danced brilliantly by Adam G. Sevani and Alyson Stoner (of Missy Elliot music fame), they take us on a playfully journey of their entire relationship. Very smart choreography utilizing several styles and really giving us that throwback Fred Astaire/Ginger Rodgers feel of old movie musicals make it one of the best of 2010.



6. “Building of OP Restrepo,” Restrepo:
This scene from the great documentary really captures the dangers these men faced. Making such a bold move in the deadliest place on earth was breathtaking filmmaking. I still can’t believe these scenes were captured so vividly on camera.

5. “Final Dance (or Swan Song),” Black Swan:
I know a lot of people will say “the scene” from Black Swan was between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman, and while that scene was all well and good, the final sequence was better. Black Swan had me on the edge of my seat the whole movie. Aronofsky weaved a tale of mystery and drama in such a thrilling way that when the film culminated in the brilliant fade to white, I was left speechless.

4. "Where it All Goes Wrong," Blue Valentine:
This whole movie was a sucker punch to my gut of emotions. We were lead to believe that this relationship was built on this primal sense of love, and it would carry them for the rest of their lives. But the flame of passion burnt out. During their romantic getaway to the "future room" we are hit such a real scene, were almost sick watching. We get to watch Ryan Gosling, in perhaps the best performance of the year, see his marriage slip away from and his reaction is spot on. He fights so hard for her, but she's already gone.

3. “Self Administered Arm Amputation,” 127 Hours:
I’m so glad I saw this movie in the theatre. The amount of uneasiness in the theatre during this scene was palpable. I must admit, even I got a little bit squeamish at the sight. First he has to break his arm in two directions, then use a poor excuse for a knife to basically tear his arm off? Ouch. I really like how he attempted it earlier, but even staring death in the face, he couldn;t tolerate the pain or sight of it. He basically had to die for a minute and come back to realize it had to be done. The sound effects and camera cuts make this scene so visceral and memorable.

2. “The Incinerator,” Toy Story 3:
Seeing those toys that we have come to love so much join hands in solidarity as they come to grips with their fate is easily one of the most memorable and touching scenes of 2010. Watching each toy struggle for a minute before they realize they’re out of options and the best way to go out is by being with your loved ones was so moving that I shed tears. Real ones. I don’t know how you did it Pixar, but you made you made me examine my own life and think who I would like to meet the incinerator with. Coming to grips with my mortality is not something I like to think about, but I was forced after this scene. Truly a provocative scene.

1. “Holding Court on the Streets,” The Town:
There was something so absolutely perfect and human about the moment Jeremy Renner takes a sip of the discarded soda before he meets his fate. I can’t fully comprehend what it would be like to get one last pleasure of this world before I die. I’m sure most people would think sex, or a delicious steak, or a smile from their spouse, but Renner couldn’t have seemed more pleased with the taste of that flat old soda. I wonder just how hightened your senses are the moment before you die. The act is so simple, yet in that most human of moments, it made the scene completely memorable and unforgettable. Congratulations Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner and The Town you have earned the Best Scene of 2010 award from me!

Black ApeDonkey: Netflix Reviews - 2/15/11

The American - Must See - If you like great 70's movies like The Day of the Jackal, The Conversation and Three Days of the Condor, then you should love this movie. George Clooney plays Jack an American assassin and custom arms maker who has fled to rural Italy to escape Swedish assassins. The film's controlled deliberate pace is a perfect compliment for a character forever looking over his shoulder paranoid of who may be waiting around the corner. Clooney and director Anton Corbijn have done a masterful job of molding a character in Jack who is meticulous, proud and profoundly lonely. The kind of lonely only a man living in a foreign land, whose only companionship is found in the bed of a hooker and the conversations with a local priest. Clooney and his understated portrayal is the perfect choice as an American abroad leading an isolated existence. I really loved this movie.

Machete - See it - Robert Rodriguez is not the master of subtlety. He is pretty good at integrating comedy and violence. Machete isn't on the same level as Desperado but with Danny Trejo dropping lines like "Machete don't text." It's a good change of pace film. Machete the character is an ex Federale exiled in the US after escaping from the clutches of Mexican drug lord Torrez played by Steven Seagal complete with an outstanding Mexican accent. When he's set up to be the fall guy in a Texas politician's publicity stunt, Machete goes to work exacting his revenge. You'll recognize everyone in the movie from Lost alumni Michele Rodriguez and Jeff Fahey to Cheech Marin and Lindsay Lohan. I was less than impressed with Robert De Niro's portrayal of Texas Senator John Mclaughlin but then I remembered this is the same De Niro that makes Focker and Analyze _____ movies now. As a side note to Jessica Alba. If you're the worst actress in a movie that includes Lindsay Lohan, you're pretty bad. I promise you won't sprain your cerebral cortex watching this movie but you'll be entertained and have a lot of fun.

Collapse - See it - Michael Ruppert has a pretty accomplished resume. Especially, when it comes to illegal drug trafficking. He is a graduate of UCLA and for LAPD who spent years trying to expose the CIA's involvement with funding programs through illegal drug trafficking. He seemed like a logical choice for Chris Smith to approach for a documentary about illegal narcotics. It seems though they found a man in the throws of a new mission. Ruppert believes we are on the precipice of an apocalyptic economic collapse based on our insolvent banking system and reliance on oil. Personally, I could sit an listen to Ruppert speak on the subject for days. His passion and presentation of evidence, wrong or right, is captivating. He's the kind of guy you can sit in front of a camera and just let him go. I'm not sure director Smith actually did much more than that. This movie was recommended to me by fellow documentary aficionado @seanincypress. I sent him a message about half way through to celebrate what a beautiful nut Ruppert was. His reply was "If 20 percent of what he says is true, we're fucked." Whether or not you buy what Ruppert is selling, he is infinitely entertaining to watch speak on the subject.

Black Swan - Must See - At this point Black Swan has been reviewed to death. I saw it a few weeks ago and forgot to include it in my reviews. However, with the Oscars approaching I want to at least touch on the major contenders. The first thing this movie did was prove my theory that you could make a movie focusing solely on Natalie Portman's face and I'd happily spend two hours watching it. She is completely mesmerizing on screen. Every worry, fear, lust and pain is right there to behold as she finally embodies the black swan. Not only should she be the favorite for Best Actress but she should win going away.

If I were making the selection, Darren Aronofsky would win for Best Director as well. Aronofsky reminds me a lot of David Lynch in the late 80's early 90's. He has a knack for creating tension between the audience and what is on the screen. So much so, you're never really comfortable in your seat. Black Swan like most Aronofsky movies isn't a film you can watch once and know exactly what you've just seen. It's a film you have to absorb into your conscience and piece back together to finally understand.

I don't think Black Swan has much of a chance to walk away with Best Picture. It lacks the slick film making and cultural relevance of The Social Network. Nor does it have the publicity momentum and historical importance of The King's Speech. What it does have that neither of those films produced is a "WOW" moment. A few moments on film that are so completely engrossing and incredible you simply lose your breath.

Academy Awards

I've got a wife and young kids so I just don't make it out to the movies much anymore. The Academy Awards nominations came out this morning and I think I've seen one of the nominees. Therefore, I couldn't possibly provide a good opinion on how the Oscars will shake out. Fortunately for me and you, Barry Stagg offered to write a post on the nominations. Here's what I know about Barry. He has a theater degree & opinions and he's not afraid to use either. Barry's also a great follow on twitter (@bcstagg), so make sure you do that.

***********************************************

I am a self proclaimed Academy Awards fanatic. I see every movie nominated for Best Picture and each movie with an acting nomination. This normally wasn’t too difficult, but with the field expanding to 10 movies for Best Picture it became more difficult. Some people are mad the field expanded because they feel it’s just a ploy to try and boost ticket sales. Those people are 100 percent correct. I, however, do not begrudge the Academy. As long as movies like The Green Hornet and Little Fockers are leading in the box office, I am in full support of rallying the public to see quality films.

As I set out to pick the winners of the major categories, the voting process for determining the winners should be noted. After expanding to 10 films, the Best Picture winner is graded on a points system. Meaning 10 points for 1st place and 1 point for for 10th place. Most points wins. The Academy used to only allow voters one first place vote and most votes wins. I prefer the current system. All that in mind, let’s get to the picks.

Best Picture

Will win: The King’s Speech - Really picked up steam by getting the Producer’s Guild Award for Best Picture. This movie is a clinic in acting. Great all the way around, but doesn’t leave you with that “wow” feeling you want from your Best Picture.

My Favorite: Black Swan - This movie had that “wow” feeling. I was completely engrossed in the portrayal. Aronofsky combines the visceral feelings from Requiem for a Dream, the stunning visuals of The Fountain, and the great story telling of The Wrestler to make, what I think, is his best film.

Sleeper: The Social Network - Hard to call this a sleeper because it’s thought to be the odds on favorite. It will win Best Director and Screenplay, so it wouldn’t shock me if it ended up winning Best Picture.

Best Actress

Will win: Natalie Portman, Black Swan - Just brilliant. Her performance also has things that Academy voters love to vote for. She lost weight, she trained in ballet, and she played crazy.

My Favorite: Natalie Portman, Black Swan - It just makes me mad when I see a performance like Portman’s to think that Sandra Bullock won for The Blindside. Ugh.

Sleeper: Annette Benning, The Kids Are All Right - Gives a great understated performance. It would have been easy for her to miss the control it takes to pull off that character, but she kept it together just enough to make it stunningly believable.

Best Actor

Will Win: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech - Firth so brilliantly portrays the Duke of York. His stammer is spot on and almost gets uncomfortable to watch because his ability to communicate is so difficult. Firth’s brilliance is shown in his ability to still carry a scene and tell a great story while having the inherent hinderance of his character’s speech impediment.

My Favorite: Colin Firth, The King’s Speech - It helps when you have Geoffrey Rush to play opposite against.

Sleeper: James Franco, 127 Hours - Franco WAS 127 Hours. 127 Hours is a Best Picture nominee and he’s 90 percent of the movie. Franco captivates you. A brilliant one man show. (I wish we got a little more Lizzy Caplan in 127 Hours though.)

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win: Christian Bale, The Fighter - Probably the best performance on screen this year. And, he plays a drug addict. The Academy loves that. He also lost weight. Nothing like what he did for The Machinist, but he’s pretty thin.

My Favorite: Christian Bale, The Fighter - He gets points in my book for wearing cleats as shoes and “jorts” at different points throughout the movie.

Sleeper: Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech - It’s unfortunate he has to go up against Bale this year because he was great to watch work on screen. Had the difficult task of communicating with a character who has a debilitating speech impediment.

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win: Melissa Leo, The Fighter - Her performance reminds me a lot of Amy Ryan’s in Gone Baby Gone. Makes herself unlikeable, but yet somehow you care for her. And the sympathy she gains is what makes her performance great.

My Favorite: Amy Adams, The Fighter - I’ve been an Amy Adams fan since Junebug. I just love this adorable red head. Her exchanges with Melissa Leo and the sisters are particularly great.

Sleeper: Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit - She had a very tall task playing against Jeff Bridges, but she did so swimmingly. In a movie where character exchanges drove the movie, she was a large part of a lot of them.

Best Director

Will Win: David Fincher, The Social Network - Somehow he managed to turn the creation of Facebook into a thrilling story. He also got great performances out his actors, which can be difficult with the snappy wordy dialogue of Aaron Sorkin.

My Favorite: Danny Boyle, 127 Hours - One man shows don’t often captivate a movie going audience (see Phone Booth), but Boyle was really great a telling a gripping story. He used his score brilliantly and got the best out of Franco. Shame he wasn’t even nominated, though I knew he didn’t have a chance.

Sleeper: Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech - King’s Speech was beautifully shot and was a lesson in story telling. (If you can’t tell, I have a very Aristotelian point of view in that plot/story is paramount).

Best Screenplay(Original)

Will Win: The King’s Speech - Behind all great movies and great performances there has to be great source material. The King’s Speech is no exception. It gave all those wonderful actors plenty to sink their teeth into.

My Favorite: Black Swan - As a member of the entertainment industry, I was especially drawn to the subject matter. It’s not too far from reality. This is a snub, in my opinion. Another Year snatched the fifth spot.

Sleeper: The Kids Are All Right - This is just one of those movies that paid attention to every character, made them rich, and told a nice even story. You really can’t poke any holes in the screenplay.

Best Screenplay(adapted)

Will Win: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network - It helps that he had a lot of the complicated and tedious research done for him by Ben Mezrich, but kudos for weaving those elements into a great story.

My Favorite: The Social Network - In 2009 Aaron Sorkin came to where I work and gave an interview after one of our performances of The Farnsworth Invention, which he wrote. There he said he was busy working on a “Facebook movie.” I remember laughing to myself and thinking how bad it was going to be. I was wrong. Point - Sorkin.

Sleeper: Winter’s Bone - Sundance’s darling was the big winner this year, snagging a Best Picture nomination over The Town and a Best Supporting Actor nomination over Andrew Garfield of The Social Network. So it wouldn’t surprise me if it up and snagged a screenplay win while it was at it. 

Best Score

Will Win: Trent Reznor, The Social Network - I believe this one to be a lock. Trent Reznor’s score deserves as much praise as Fincher’s directing and Sorkin’s writing, if not more. It really drove the movie and made it thrilling.

My Favorite: Trent Reznor, The Social Network - I would have liked to have seen him have Justin Timberlake lay down a hook on something, but then again, he’s the one nominated not me.

Sleeper: A.R. Rahman, 127 Hours - Rahman is best known for his score to Slumdog Millionaire, but he teamed up with snubbed director Danny Boyle again this year to deliver another dynamite product.

Notable Snubs

• The Town for Best Picture. I’m pretty upset at this one. This was a fantastic movie that had great performances and a lot of heart for what I thought was just going to be a heist flick. I’m getting more impressed with Ben Affleck every day.
• Christopher Nolan for directing Inception. Say what you will about the movie, but the prowess of Nolan can’t be overstated.
• Ryan Gosling for Blue Valentine. I don’t see how you can nominate Michelle Williams and not Ryan Gosling. Gosling delivers an absolutely powerful and gritty performance. Real acting on full display. His performances in Blue Valentine and Half Nelson are two of the best.
• Black Swan for Best Original Screenplay. Seemed to be poised for a nomination especially with its Writer’s Guild nomination in the bag. Another Year must be a pretty good movie to push out Swan.
• Mila Kunis for Best Supporting Actress. I can’t say I’m too surprised here, but she had the SAG nomination and and a lot of press. Plus she’s beautiful, and I like that in a girl.
• Andrew Garfield for Best Supporting Actor. I breathed a sigh of relief when I didn’t see Justin Timberlake as a nominee, but I was equally as sad to see Garfield left off. However, John Hawkes was particularly awesome as Teardrop in Winter’s Bone. This category is the most loaded this year.
• Danny Boyle for Best Director. With Nolan getting snubbed, I was hoping Boyle would step in and grab a nomination but that went to David O. Russell or the Coen Brothers

Who are your winners?

What are your biggest snubs or surprises?