OSCAR-NOMINATED MOVIES THAT I HAVE WATCHED 2015

To begin this post, I have to say that I am a big fan of movies and I have a deep admiration for them. And being said that its now close to the Oscars which is held on 22 February 2015, I am now going to review what my opinions on these oscar nominated films. I remind you that it has been a while that I have been writing in this blog so please excuse my use of grammar and spellings.

So basically there are 8 best picture nominees this year. They are in alphabetical order:

AMERICAN SNIPER

BIRDMAN

BOYHOOD

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

THE IMITATION GAME

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

SELMA

WHIPLASH

So lets start with the first oscar-nominated film from the film which is dumdum ... AMERICAN SNIPER!!! I watched this movie recently which a.k.a was 2 days ago. And since the movie was not shown in the local theater in Jakarta, I have to do this the devious way which is to download it from the internet. The movie stars my soon-to-be "boyfriend" Bradley Cooper and is directed by the one and only Clint Eastwood. It also stars Sienna Miller and some other actors who I have no idea of. But you don't have to worry that since its a Bradley Cooper movie so I'm cool with that. At first like before this movie was shot. I felt skeptical and thought that it wouldn't work out with Bradley Cooper as a the title role. I'm not saying that he's a bad actor, but I'm not really comfortable to see roles like this played by him. I'm not a big "action buff" as you would say. But this movie was actually pretty good. Not just saying that it stars Bradley Cooper but I actually dig this movie. So the premise of the story is about this guy Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) and its about his life on how he became this sniper of the US Navy Seal Team, and his tours in Iraq. It also deals with his personal life issues regarding with his wife and kids. First I have to tell you about the performances of this film. Bradley was spectacular as the Chris Kyle. I mean he gained weight for this role and he even had a Southern accent. I think he pretty much nailed it. I was kinda glad that his performance as Chris Kyle gained some recognition in the oscars, I mean because he was good and he didn't get nominated in other major awards like the Golden Globes, SAGS and the BAFTAs. I think his performance is the best one among the other 4 lead actor contenders. But that is just my personal preference. And Sienna Miller as Chris's wife. I think she did a really good job. I don't understand why other critics are saying that she was an annoying presence in the film, I think she did a solid work. She was likable in the movie. As for the directing, I think Clint Eastwood did an amazing job. Anyways, i'd definetly recommend this movie to people. So good job!!

*I'll rate this as I would watch this movie a couple of times.*

The next movie is BIRDMAN also known as the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance. There was a lot of buzz going around with this movie. Like for example, the performances of the actors were impressive and the concept of this movie was actually something different from what i've seen so far which is very refreshing. I know that this movie is going to get a lot of awards and recognition. But i have to say that i dont think it wad my cup of tea kinda movie. I can see why other people praise this movie and why it has gotten a lot of these major awards but somehow because of the big hype of this film, I'd expected that this movie will be really good. And it didnt succeed my expectations. I think i've seen better movies this year and Birdman is not on that list. But I have got to say that the cast of this film was good. Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifinakis were amazing. And I have got to say that this is the first role of Zach Galifinakis in which I found him not annoying. So kudos for him. Birdman tells the story of Regan Thompson (played by Keaton) who is an actor and is planning to make a comeback in his career with his broadway play. This film also deals wirh family, showbiz issues . Alejandro directed this movie and i love how he directed this movie, it was a unique thing to see. The camera work was impressive, i mean there were no cuts and it took like one single take. Its like youre following the characters as they were walking or thinking.Despite that I didnt like this movie as much as I thought, that being  said i actually had a good experience watching this. I do recommend this type of movie other people especially if he or she is a movie buff.

*I'll rate this movie as alright, i may watch this in a couple of years if i forgot the story.*

Third movie of the list is BOYHOOD. Now about this movie, when this trailer was released in the internet, i knew that this movie is going to get a lot of attention. The story follows this boy (Ellar Coltrane) and his from age 5 to 18. This movie was shot for 12 years and is directed by Richard Linklater. I am a huge fan of Richard Linklater, and i love his before trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight) and I think they were really great so I kinda was looking forward to this one especially with the premise of this movie. Fast forward to when it came out online, I can't help it but check it out. I was kinda surprised that  this movie was pretty lengthy, it was 2hr40-ish minutes, I think? So that kinda dragged a bit, but it was alright, I mean if they cut it some parts, I'm sure the movie wont be as good. To sum it up, Richard Linklater did a really bold choice of directing this for 12 years and it kinda paid off well. I'm hoping that he would win for best director in the oscars, he clearly deserves it for this one. As for acting wise, I think Ellar Coltrane did a good job as well. For a kid who was I think 5 years old when he started this, that was kinda impressive. And his acting turned out to be okay as he grew older. You can see in the film that trends do change in the course of 12 years and it kinda feels nostalgic at some point. Other supporting casts include Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and Lorelei Linklater who aka was the daughter of the director of this movie in case if you don't know. Ethan Hawke plays the dad who is fun and likeable while Patricia Arquette plays the mom and she takes care of the kids because Ethan Hawke's character and her character got a divorce. And they both gave solid performances especially Patricia Arquette, I don't know her that much in movies and tv (I'm sure she is famous and all), but she gave a really strong performance (she made me cry) and it is kinda obvious that she will win for best supporting actress in the oscars. I think this movie is likely going to win for best picture and if I'm wrong then I'm going with Birdman.
*I'll rate this movie as you have to watch it because its likely going to win for an oscar duhhh.*

Moving on to the fourth movie of the list, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. I got to be frank with you this movie was my favorite film of the year 2014. Being a huge fan of Wes Anderson, I expect this to be really good, and you know what it was awesome. I mean look at the way he puts an effort to this film in terms of directing, the score, the production set, the costume and makeup and most importantly the acting, it was spot on perfection. I don't even know where to start...Lets start with the acting, Ralph Fiennes was so good and he played this charming concierge, Gustave H. of this hotel called the Grand Budapest. His protege, Zero Moustafa played by Tony Revolori and he did a really good job. I mean he was likable so thats a good thing. The movie also stars a stellar cast which include Saoirse Ronan who plays Zero's love interest. Bill Murray, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Lea Seydoux, Edward Norton, F. Murray Abraham and so on also star in this film. And they were all fantastic. Wes Anderson's directing was also amazing so I don't know what to say except for praises. The set design, costume, makeup and all those were also pretty impressive. And the score was so good. Its composed by Alexandre Desplat and he did a really good job. Just check out the score in youtube or spotify or something because it is really nice.
*I'll rate this as AWESOME AND YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT BECAUSE I'M USING CAPITAL LETTERS TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS MOVIE*

Lets move on to the next film which is THE IMITATION GAME. This movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and a lot of talented British actors. Its about the story of Alan Turing (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) who breaks the enigma in World War II. Yeah yeah I know oscar buzz. To be honest I was like this is going to be nominated for a lot of oscars and it will be very good and all because it stars the currently famous Benedict Cumberbatch, and I kinda was spoiled a really major part of this movie, so I was kinda skeptical. But yada2, it was alright I think. I really wanted to dislike this film but I think I kinda enjoyed it. The acting was as usual alright, the actors did what they're supposed to. The score was good because it was composed by Alexandre Desplat. But I think what makes this movie get a lot of positive reviews from critics is actually the tension. I was on the edge of my seat while watching this film. That in my opinion keeps the audience interested of this movie. That being said, I had a great time watching it and people should watch it especially if theyre a Cumberbitch or into this kind of biopic movies. 
*I'll rate this as I would watch this movie a couple of times.*

The sixth movie is THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. To be honest, I was disappointed with this movie like very much. I have no idea why but I did. I watched it from the trailers and thought that this was gonna be a really good one. But you know what I kinda dislike it. The story is about Stephen Hawking (played by Eddie Redmayne) and his life before he got the disease and his marriage life with his wife, Jane (played by Felicity Jones). I'll give you the positive factors of this movie: First the acting was amazing, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones were marvellous in their roles as Stephen Hawking and Jane Hawking respectively. And the second is the score. The score was composed by Johan Johannson and it was so beautiful. But I know why I didn't like this movie very much, and it has got to be the plot of this movie. I mean at the first hour of this movie, I actually liked it. But after that, I can predict that this is not going to be that movie from the trailer. 
*I'll rate this as a mehh... once is enough*


The second last movie is SELMA. I watched this movie last night and I think it was mehhh...Okay I understand why it is nominated for best picture, but at some parts I felt bored. I don't know I think I was tired and all I can get is that they were like marching and all. When I first heard about this movie, I thought this was a romantic movie with the leading character as the title role. However as I found out further, this is actually a movie about Martin Luther King. And I was like again in my mind oscar bait. I do think that the performance of Martin Luther King was really good. He was played by David Oyelowo. He didn't get nominated for best actor but he deserved to be. And I guess thats it about this movie that I like. I mean I'd recommend this to those who like to watch biopics and all but if you don't well you should check it out I mean because its Martin Luther King and hes like one of the most important historical figures in the US history.
*I'll rate this movie as alright, i may watch this in a couple of years if i forgot the story.*

Lets keep the last as the best one and its WHIPLASH. I mean from the title itself sounds really cool. So Whiplash from Wikipedia is about 
"A first-year music student (Miles Teller) wins a seat behind the drums in a jazz band led by a teacher (J.K. Simmons) who uses fear and intimidation to push his students to perfection."
The movie was intense,and it is one of those movies where you won't be bored when watching from the beginning till the end. The songs they used in the movies were all jazz which makes it really nice and I'm starting to get addicted with jazz music these days. The performances by Miles Teller and J.K Simmons were both spectacular. Miles Teller played this hard-working and ambitious student who wants to show to his mentor, JK Simmons that he is the best drummer. Like if you have watched this movie, the amount of blood spilled from Miles Tellers hand is a lot. JK Simmons plays this rude, intimidating, perfectionist mentor to Miles Teller's character and he was so scary and good at the same time. Like I mean I fell in love with JK Simmons character because he was that good. He was like the scene-stealer of this whole movie. And dude if I were in Miles Teller's place I would have like totally peed my pants and cry at the same time. Gosh, he was that good. You know its so obvious like Patricia Arquette that he is going to win for best supporting actor this year. But I completely support that. You know this movie and the Grand Budapest Hotel tie as like my favorite movies of the year 2014, because they were so contrast to one another. One is light and witty while the other was dark and intense. But both movies keep you want to stay focused to the screen. Oh and the director is Damian Chazelle and I think we're gonna see a lot more of him in the future.
*I'll rate this as SO GOOD THAT I HAVE TO WATCH IT AGAIN!*


So I guess thats my review of the oscar-nominated films. I wish gone girl was on that list though. But anyways good night....