Four for the Price of One: Oscar Movies Reivews

If you're like me, and you failed to watch all of the Oscar-worthy films before the big night, I have a cheat sheet here for you to determine if the Best Pic noms are worth binge-watching. Here are four of the eight best picture nominations and whether they are still worthy watching even after the buzz has died down.

"The Theory of Everything"

Nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Eddie Redmayne), Actress (Felicity Jones), Adapted Screenplay (Anthony McCarten), Original Score (Johann Johannsson)
Wins: Actor (Eddie Redmayne)
Deserved: None of the Above
Worth Watching?: Yes, but not to own. It's a great look into a very important figure in modern science and medicine. He has had huge obstacles to face and he has done it with dignity and still given more to the world than people who aren't in science will never understand.
It's an enjoyable watch for a thoughtful night.
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: All of the Above

"Whiplash"

Nominations: Best Picture, Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons), Adapted Screenplay (Damien Chazelle), Editing, Sound Mixing
Wins: Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons), Editing, Sound Mixing
Deserved: Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons), a Nom for Actor (Miles Teller)
Worth Watching?: J.K. Simmons is the Farmers Insurance guy and you would never guess that he makes commercials in his spare time. Never. He rocks his part of the violent, abusive teacher of Miles Teller who also puts out a moving performance. If you love music, specifically jazz, this is a must-see for you. If you had one of those teachers who pushed you in all the wrong ways, this is the movie for you. If you like either of these actors, this is the movie for you. It was very stressful to watch (I freaked out for the poor kid the whole time), but it's a thinker. What would you do?
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: DVD and On Demand

"Birdman"

Nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Michael Keaton), Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), Supporting Actress (Emma Stone), Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Director (Alejandro Inarritu), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing
Wins: Best Picture, Cinematography, Director (Alejandro Innarritu), Original Screenplay
Deserved: Cinematography!! and Michael Keaton for Best Actor
Worth Watching?: This is a strange one because it is very much an art film. It has great character development and character exploration but the main reason people watch it is for its critically acclaimed cinematography. I have never seen Michael Keaton like this before-- so open, vulnerable, and yet utterly crazy. If you're up for something completely different, give this a try. But remember to go with the flow and don't think too much about the logistics of it all. It's just supposed to be fun to look at.
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: All of the Above

"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Nominations: Best Picture, Cinematography, Costume Design, Director (Wes Anderson), Film Editing, Makeup & Hair, Original Score, Production Design, Original Screenplay
Wins: Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, Original Score, Production Design
Deserved: Production Design, Director (Wes Anderson)- Someone give this man an Oscar! How does he not have one yet?!
Worth Watching?: Just like all of Wes Anderson's other films ("Royal Tenenbaums", "Moonrise Kingdom") this is a buffet for the eyes. With pastels and sarcasm everywhere, you can't help but giggle in all the right places.
Theaters/DVD/On Demand: Few theaters, DVD, On Demand

I already did a full review of "American Sniper" that you can check out here.

There you go! Now you have reviews for 5 of the 8. That's more than half. 

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot: Warm Movie List

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of this cold. And I'm tired of complaining about it. But let's be honest, that's what we Chicagoans do. We say things like "I hate this weather", "I'm moving to (enter state with perfect warm weather year-round here)" and we never move! We are the most stubborn people you can find when it comes to weather. We somehow feel that because we live in this frozen wasteland we can say the cold never bothered us anyway. And still live here!

Well, to warm up your cold days, weeks, and months, I decided to come up with a list of movies that will have you dreaming about the days you can leave the house without your puffy coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and snow boots. That may be sometime in April... ok, maybe more like late June.

Sahara (2005)
Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn go on a treasure hunt to find a Civil War ship in the Sahara Desert. They run into Penelope Cruz, a WHO doctor, on the way. Pretty much this entire movie is covered in hot, hot sand.

Volcano (1997)
A volcano blows up LA. So much lava...

The Sandlot (1993)
If you have never watched this movie, you must've had an unhappy childhood. The quintessential summer movie about a bunch of kids who love to play baseball.

High School Musical 2 (2007)
Yeah, yeah, go and laugh. But it is a movie about summer! And it has singing!

Hidalgo (2004)
Aragorn (aka Viggo Mortensen) enters in a horse race through the desert. One of those movies if you haven't seen yet, you really should.

Three Amigos (1986)
The Kings of Comedy Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Chevy Chase are actors who think they are hired to be actors in a fight for a town, but they are actually hired to save the town for real.

Heavy Weights (1995)
The 90s summer camp movie that I must've watched 100 times on Disney channel. Ben Stiller plays the evil camp counsel who whips the poor vertically-challenged kids into shape.

The Parent Trap (1998)
The 90s summer camp movie that every girl wished could happen to them. Think smores, swimming in the lake, camping, and California vineyards.

Dirty Dancing (1987)
Another summer camp movie but this time with dancing and romance.

Do The Right Thing (1989)
A single day of over 100 degrees with kids playing in the firehydrant water, sexy ice cubes, and hot racial confrontations.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
The movie that started a phenomenon.

Caddyshack (1980)
What could be more summer than putting on the green?

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
A single scene will make anyone feel the heat- that fire pit over boiling lava to which human sacrifices are made.

Feel any warmer now?

And the Oscar Goes To...

THEY'RE HERE!!! They're finally here!! The one day of the year when I sit in front of the TV from 5pm until at least 11:30pm to watch a bunch of people I don't know receive statues of a little golden man. This is the time of year when we pull out all the nasty and sarcastic wardrobe comments. This is the time of year we wish we saw more movies and every year make a pact to do better next year.

This year I have decided to make my own Oscars. And although it won't be hosted by a second-rate (depending on the year) celeb who is slightly connected to Hollywood and the silver screen, it will be free of speeches and wardrobe malfunctions.

If you missed the previous post on my nominees and my explanation for making my own Oscars- check out my previous post. (Note: ** means the Academy also nominated this person/persons/film for this category)

Drum Roll Please....

And the nominees are...

Best Adapted Screenplay:

"The Hunger Games 2: The Mockingjay"- Simon Beaufoy, Michael Arndt

"Into the Woods"- James Lapine

"The Fault in Our Stars"- Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber

"The Giver"- Michael Mitnick, Robert B. Weide

And the Oscar goes to...

"The Hunger Games 2: The Mockingjay"- Simon Beaufoy, Michael Arndt

Best Original Song:

**"Everything is Awesome" from "The Lego Movie"

"Immortals" from "Big Hero 6"

"For The Dancing And The Dreaming" from "How to Train Your Dragon 2"

"Afreen" from "The Hundred-Foot Journey"

"Yellow Flicker Beat" from "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1"

"We're Doing A Sequel" from "Muppets Most Wanted"

And the Oscar goes to...

**"Everything is Awesome"- "The Lego Movie"

Best Original Screenplay:

**"The Grand Budapest Hotel"- Hugo Guinness and Wes Anderson

"St. Vincent"- Theordore Melfi

"The Judge"- Nick Schenk, David Seidler, Bill Dubuque

"Chef"- Jon Favreau

And the Oscar goes to...

"St. Vincent"- Theordore Melfi

Best Cinematography:

**"Unbroken"- Roger Deakins

**"The Grand Budapest Hotel"- Robert Yeoman

"Into the Woods"- Dion Beebe

"Nightcrawler"- Robert Elswit

"The Giver"- Ross Emery

And the Oscar goes to...

**"The Grand Budapest Hotel"- Robert Yeoman

Best Costume Design:

**"Into the Woods"- Colleen Atwood

"Guardians of the Galaxy"- Alexandra Byrne

**"Maleficent"- Anna B. Shepard

And the Oscar goes to...

**"Maleficent"- Anna B. Shepard

Best Animated Feature Film:

"The Lego Movie"

**"How to Train Your Dragon 2"

**"Big Hero 6"

And the Oscar goes to...

"The Lego Movie"

Best Supporting Actor:

**Robert Duvall- "The Judge"

Bradley Cooper- "Guardians of the Galaxy"

Miyavi- "Unbroken"

Chris Pine- "Into the Woods"

And the Oscar goes to...

Miyavi- "Unbroken"

Best Supporting Actress:

**Meryl Streep- "Into the Woods"

Melissa McCarthy- "St. Vincent"

Rene Russo- "Nightcrawler"

Naomi Watts- "St. Vincent"

And the Oscar goes to...

**Meryl Streep- "Into the Woods"

Best Actor:

Jack O'Connell- "Unbroken"

Jon Favreau- "Chef"

Robert Downey Jr.-  "The Judge"

John Hamm- "Million Dollar Arm"

Kevin Costner- "Draft Day"

Jake Gyllenhaal- "Nightcrawler"

And the Oscar goes to...

Jake Gyllenhaal- "Nightcrawler"

Best Actress:

Emily Blunt- "Into the Woods"

Helen Mirren- "The Hundred-Foot Journey"

Angelina Jolie- "Maleficent"

Shailene Woodley- "The Fault in Our Stars"

And the Oscar goes to...

Shailene Woodley- "The Fault in Our Stars"

Best Director:

Rob Marshall- "Into the Woods"

Dan Gilroy- "Nightcrawler"

**Wes Anderson- "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

And the Oscar goes to...

**Wes Anderson- "The Grand Budapest Hotel"

Best Picture:

"Into the Woods"

"Guardians of the Galaxy"

**"The Grand Budapest Hotel"

"The Lego Movie"

And the Oscar goes to...

"The Lego Movie"

That's all folks!! Thanks for reading and enjoy the real Oscars on Feb. 22.

Valentine's Day Movies For Every Situation

Valentine's Day has many names- V-day, Singles Awareness Day, National Hallmark Day, Galentine's (actually the day after Valentine's Day)- and they all have their own understanding of how this nationally recognized day of love, flowers, and chocolate can be celebrated. So obviously, there should be an appropriate movie to watch no matter what your Facebook relationship status says. If your plan is to snuggle next to your gf/bf or if your date is with two lovely men named Ben and Jerry, I got you covered with the perfect movie to watch. Break out the conversation hearts and heart-shaped assortment boxes and enjoy <3

If you are...

Single and LOVE IT!

"Magic Mike" (2012)- All of these delicious men could be yours... Channing Tatum could be grinding up on you any day now... If only actually strip clubs had men like this. We can dream.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961)- Holly Golightly and you have a lot in common. You are both free spirits who want to travel the world, wear fabulous clothes, and buy diamonds.

"Bridesmaids" (2011)- This movie just proves how impossibly stressful it is to plan a wedding. Thank God you only have to wear an ugly dress and you get all the free booze and cake you want (and maybe some groomsmen action on the side).

"The Sweetest Thing" (2002)- This movie is completely different than any other rom-com because it flips the gender roles so it's the women who go hunting for the men, and catcall them and use them for their own personal gain. Kind of like what it is to be single.

Single and Hate my LIFE!!!

"(500) Days of Summer" (2009)- There is a light at the end of the tunnel. You will feel just like Joseph Gordan Levitt in this movie- like you want to stare blankly into space and smash every plate you can find. But I promise, there is a happy ending to your sad story.

"Under the Tuscan Sun"(2003)- Screw men! Go to Italy! Buy a villa! Drink wine! Eat good food! Live a little. Diane Lane has a reputation for being the hopelessly single and hopelessly depressing character, but this time she decides to forget it all and start her life over. (Which is exactly what you should be doing *hint, hint*)

"Thelma & Louise" (1991)- Your girlfriends will always be there for you. Even if you want to shoot a bunch of guys and drive off of a cliff. They can help remind you that you are still loved and you are still awesome.

"Fried Green Tomatoes" (1991)- Another gal-pal movie but this one has food.

Taken and in love <3 - All of the romantic movies are made for you so I mostly picked a collection of some of my favorites and they all have a lot of Meg Ryan in them... These are all things you and your s.o. will say while watching these

"The Proposal" (2009)- "Remember when you proposed to me?"

"You've Got Mail" (1998)- "Aren't you so glad we didn't/did meet online?"

"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)- "Remember how we first met?"

"Sleepless in Seattle"(1993)- "I wish we were on the top of the Empire State Building right now."

Taken and want OUT

"Waitress" (2007)- Another food movie!! (Me and my food movies) This one is about a woman who gets away from her bad marriage by making pies. Yum!

"Sleeping With the Enemy" (1991)- Julia Roberts is in an abusive relationship with a very controlling man (*cough* Fifty Shades). She ends up running away to a small town where she makes a new identity for herself and meets a nice new guy. But will she stay hidden forever? BUM BUM BUUM!

"Enough" (2002)- JLo and her children are on the run from her abusive husband. She thinks her name change and haircut has helped her to hide from him, but he can still find her. Finally, she decides to protect herself and her children.

"What's Love Got to Do With It" (1993)- The true story of the legend Tina Turner- her fame, her abusive husband, and how she freed herself.

It's complicated...

"No Strings Attached" (2011)- Friends with Benefits can cause problems...

"Celeste and Jesse Forever" (2012)- Celeste and Jesse are divorced and seeing other people, but they are still friends? Yeah, I don't get it either.

"Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011)- Cal and his wife are separated and he's trying to date again. His son is in love with his babysitter. The babysitter is in love with an older man, like her father's-age-older. Cal's wife cheated on him with her boss- who now wants to date her. Cal meets Jacob, a perpetual bachelor, who finally thinks she's found love. Yep, love's complicated.

"Jane Eyre" (2011)- You've got nothing on Jane.

Loathing my Ex with all the fires of hell

"The Other Woman" (2014)- Kate finds out her husband is cheating on her with Carly. Carly finds out he's cheating on her with Amber. So they all destroy him together.

"The Break-Up" (2006)- Gary and Brooke hate each other, and would love to move out and see other people, but they want to keep the apartment.

"Forgetting Sara Marshall" (2008)- Peter vacations in Hawaii to get over Sarah, but it turns out Sarah is in Hawaii too with her new boyfriend. Peter will understand your deepest pain and hatred.

"Kill Bill (1 or 2)" (2003) (2004)- The Bride is on a hunt to kill Bill and a group of assassins who betrayed her and killed everyone she loved. You only wish you had skills like her.

In Review: "American Sniper" (2014)

This movie has got everyone talking. It deals with aspects of American life that your every day person doesn't see and doesn't understand. I'm talking about war. Before the Vietnam War, the American public never saw the effects of war (Vietnam was the first televised war) and therefore, when they did see the danger and the horror of war, they wanted to stop it all. But what about the guys on the other side of the line? The men and women who risk their lives every day in order to "serve their country"? What does that mean? What does a day in their life really look like? Specifically, the life of someone whose job it is to kill.

The Plot

Based on a book that's based on a true story about a regular American man who joins the Navy SEALS and becomes one of the top snipers in American history with over 100 confirmed kills. What his job does to this man and his family is heartbreaking, hard to watch, and in the end makes you realize that you don't know anything about war. Chris Kyle kills women, children, and anyone else he thinks could be a threat to the American soldiers.

The Stars

Bradley Cooper takes on another serious role. And the hardest part about his role is that he has to pretend like he has it all together when he is at home and away from the war. He has to seem like nothing is wrong when really on the inside, it is like he never left the war. Cooper has a hard time accomplishing this, but I don't think it is because of his acting. I think it's because of the opportunities missed by Clint Eastwood. There is only one time that Kyle gets upset and shows what is going through his head. There is only one time we see the effect war can have on the human soul. The rest of the movie we just see Kyle doing his job. We feel the pain it takes to make those kills but we never truly get inside of Kyle's head.

The Message

One of the things that Kyle said in interviews seems to be shadowed in this film. He said that this was his job and he will stand before God and take ownership of every shot he made. Because he was always protecting his guys. There is a single moment near the middle of the film where Kyle runs into a man whose life he saved. Kyle seems too distracted to pay attention as the man is thanking him. He seems distant from that life at home. He seems to never come back. And then at the end of the film, he is killed by a man who also suffers from the demons left behind from fighting. So I think the message is this combination of how hard it is to be in the war and how hard it is to come home and his job is not to kill but to protect. A lot of the backlash about this movie is people saying that it glorifies snipers and therefore glorifies killers. But it really shows the audience that they kill with purpose and the purpose is to save.

Overall

(This is the actual Chris Kyle, who the movie is based on)

Like every other war movie out there, this is not one I would want to watch again, but I feel like I almost have to. War is a concept I don't understand. I can't wrap my head around why it has to exist and why people willingly enter into them. Of course, this is all coming from a girl who studied to be a journalist and always, always, always question question authority.

I think this movie falls short in a few ways. 1. You never are able to get inside of Kyle's head. It's a complicated thing, his job, and you never really get to understand what it does to him until the very end. 2. The ending. Why end it with Kyle's death? Yes, in real life, he did die. That's where his story ends. But it isn't really. It doesn't end because all of those people that he saved continued living.

I feel like that was the message this movie was trying to say, but it never really got there. There were glimpses of a message but never a clear one. It feels like an opportunity missed.

2 out of 4 Sniper targets