Sunday 7 June 2015

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2007: Steve Zahn in Rescue Dawn

Steve Zahn did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Duane Martin in Rescue Dawn.

Steve Zahn is probably best known for his performances as wacky sidekicks in comedies. Well this performance could not be further from that, although I guess he still is kinda a sidekick. Zahn plays the first American face that Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) sees after his capture by North Vietnamese friendly forces after his crash landing. This is within a prisoner of war camp, and Dieter sees Duane just as he is being released from solitary confinement. Zahn's performance is extremely effective from the moment we see him as he essentially realizes the camp's hardships. Like most of the actors Zahn is indeed visually appears to fit the part, but Zahn does not leave to weight loss and dirt though to convey this. Zahn's physical performance is remarkable as the grim nature of the camp is readily apparent. Zahn's movements are very slow as though every step is painful for Duane, and it is a terrible effort for him merely to be able to get around just the small area of the camp. Zahn out of all the actors is especially good at showing what the camp's conditions do to a man.

Zahn portrays Duane as almost a walking corpse as there is just so little energy that Zahn puts in the man. The way he shutters about Zahn depicts a man who's just barely holding onto life even when Dieter first appears. Zahn's work is uncompromising because he bluntly portrays Duane as having wasted away in the camp from starvation, as can be seen by his appearance to be sure, but also in his eyes as Zahn shows a man who seemingly has not had a single comfort in a long time. If the starvation was not horrible enough though Duane also suffers from chronic dysentery. Although the film actually does not show this ever, Zahn's performance reveals the unpleasantness of it as he portrays the constant strain of it, as well as the really the embarrassment of it as Zahn so plainly has Duane state that he can't help it. That's not all there is though to it unfortunately for Duane since the men have been tortured before their arrival, and are constantly threatened by violence due to the guards of the camp. Again Zahn's performance reflects this brutality as he always seems to shy away from the guards, and how he wears the suffering of such treatment at all times. 

What Zahn does so well is create the mental condition of Duane though within the camp. Where Bale, and Jeremy Davies as the other American in the camp play their roles in a fairly extroverted way, which I do think is fitting in giving a sense of their particular forms of madness, Zahn keeps his performance very introverted as though Duane's very self is wearing to nothing. Zahn, despite his withdrawn approach often becomes the most compelling because you still feel exactly what Duane is going through. Although he never breaks open in the way the other two actors do but this distress he conveys is palatable. Zahn has his own intensity that is incredible as one can see a man who wants to scream out over his life but it can't come out of it. There is perhaps even a little of his own madness, but again very different from the sort shown by Bale and Davies. Zahn once again keeps it internalized within his work as there is something a bit off about Duane, but how could there not be given his circumstances. There is something unpredictable about his manner and there is something so disconcerting about the way Zahn depicts an insanity of what should be a stable man.

This is not a one note performance of endless suffering, even if that is impeccably portrayed by Zahn. Zahn never let's us forget that Duane is a man who had a life before. There is that spark of the past still in him, which makes his current existence all the harrowing. This small spark is best scene in the rather quiet scenes where Dieter and Duane interact with each other. Bale and Zahn are great together as they realize the friendship between the two even though there really is not an excessive focus upon it. They make use of the moments the two do have as there is such a subtle warmth the two draw upon that is quite moving to be sure. There is one particularly good scene where Dieter tells Duane the story about what inspired him to want to be a pilot in the first place. The two's camaraderie seems amplified by them both being pilots, and the two actors create this so well. What I like most about these scenes though is the way Zahn suggests a bit more life in Duane as he interacts with the spirited Dieter. Zahn's work is very poignant as he gives just the slightest bit of hope in Duane's tired eyes as Duane is given motivation to live through Dieter.

The two eventually do make their escape from the camp, but the plan goes wrong which leaves the two of them to have to try to wander through the jungle to find help. Zahn is heartbreaking in the scenes as they progress as he shows Duane lose that hope from the start of the escape. Zahn makes this harrowing as he gradually shows Duane someone become even worse off than he was in the camp, as the remaining bit of his life seems to fade away, to the point that he almost is ghost just stumbling behind the still passionate Dieter, although even he's starting to lose hope as well. This eventually leads the men to take the risk of asking local villagers for help. Even though the two ask for help as meekly as possible the villagers become aggressive. The attack by the villagers is not a long scene but it is gut wrenching as Zahn's performance so simply depicts the horror of the moment, as he finally lets out a scream, though it is only scream of pain just before Duane's life is taken from him. This is tremendous work by Steve Zahn as he presents the painful decline of a man towards death. Zahn earns the final scenes where Duane seems to haunt Dieter, because he haunts us as well.

119 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Michael McCarthy: You Owe Me £13.10.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Aaaaand we have a winner.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the latest episode of Game Of Thrones.

Michael McCarthy said...

Luke: We never shook, buddy

I won't mind one bit if he wins, I'm honestly starting to gravitate towards him as my personal winner.

Luke Higham said...

Michael McCarthy: DAMN!. =)

Robert MacFarlane said...

HOLY FUCK, THAT GAME OF THRONES. Changed my mind again. Fuck Stannis, hope Brienne sodomizes him with a rapier.

Anonymous said...

Looking at the other ones, it's really possible that he gets the #1. Finney may get a 5 also, don't know about Foster and Rockwell, but I can't see any of the others getting another 5. But let's see.

Louis, what are your ratings for Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Judi Dench in Nine?

Robert MacFarlane said...

I really hope Foster and Rockwell get 5's. Both of them add so much to their characters.

Anonymous said...

MacFarlane, exactly same feeling about GoT. I don't know who I hated more watching: Greyjoy with those two kids or Stannis today. Every suffering seems little to them.

Luke Higham said...

Fuck Stannis but Fuck Melisandre even more, hope Davos gives her what she deserves.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I sat in total apathy to all of the horrors that have happened thus far. That? That fucking broke me.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke: Well that broke me as well. At least my conflict of interest is gone now. Brienne get your revenge, Davos find a new King you're still great.

Well any who the rest of my thoughts beyond that horrifying moment. Prince Doran is pretty awesome and Siddig is rather bad ass in a most unique sort of way. I actually liked the Dorn scenes since they allowed a bit of a needed breather. The smaller bits did well to set up their climaxes in the finale. As for Daenerys I liked the final sequence well enough, but man the dragons a little too close to being Deus ex machina for my liking. None of her victories ever feel well earned to me, they're always too easy.

Anonymous:

I'll get you those thoughts soon.

Psifonian said...

After the holy sh_t quotient of last week, tonight brought the noise as well… but instead of being awesome, what we got were the sick realities of the hopeless world that is already eating itself before the White Walkers set one foot south of the Wall.

Cunningham f_cking crushed me in this episode. Davos is my favorite character in the novels, and there’s a reason he is displayed in my avatar. He is the only sane man in Westeros, and knowing that the scene with Shireen might be their last encounter is killing me.

Finally, Doran gets to do (or rather, say) something badass. The sit-down scene in his throne room is probably the first scene in Dorne that didn’t have me rolling my eyes. “I believe in second chances… but not third chances.” What a boss.

Mark Gatiss is back! And man, Roger Ashton-Griffiths is so goddamn underrated on this show. I get the sense that his prancing ponce persona is an act. But as far as Braavos goes, could Arya be any less subtle? Also, hey, Meryn Trant gets dialogue that isn’t “you’re speaking to the king!”-related. And of course, he has to be a pedophile, to emphasize the already extant creep-factor.

Another Stannis-Shireen scene. “If a man knows what he is, and remains true to himself… the choice is no choice at all.” That’s damn fine writing, and damned haunting coming from Stephen Dillane. The look on his face, and then I knew what was coming with a gut-punch realization.

And then [i]that scene[/i]. Dear God, I felt so sick watching this whole thing play out. The sickening madness in his eyes, the way he knows he’s damned himself. I was hoping against hope that he would balk at the end, that he would not allow it to happen… and then the screaming. Dear God in heaven, the screaming. This was the single most disturbing scene of the series. And what’s really f_cked is that I don’t think it was character assassination, either. What this is going to do to Davos, man.:(

Jonah in the arena was badass, and the scene with him stopping Dany’s assassination was awesome (even if he shoulda missed). And oh f_ck, bye Hizdahr. I liked you. And Daenerys has accepted Jorah back into her life and Tyrion saves Missandei—pretty awesomely, at that. But then the Harpies surround them and for the first time, I feel Daenerys is in actual danger. She’s outmanned, outgunned, and no dragons to… oh, hey, Drogon Ex Machina. You’re lookin’ rad.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Well... Psifonian totally said every thought I had. Well fucking done, sir.

Calvin Law said...

I really need to start catching up on GOT.

By the way, just saw Spy. Decent enough action comedy I guess, nothing groundbreaking but I did have a good few laughs.

McCarthy: 2.5
Byrne: 4
Statham: 3.5
Law: 2.5
Cannavale: 2
Janney: 3

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I couldn't care less about Spy, If I'm being honest.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Although, most people have said that Jason Statham is the best thing about it, so I'll see it down the line for Statham alone.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I wouldn't recommend it, I only caught it because I am a big fan of Byrne and (to a lesser extent) Statham, both who are very good and rather entertaining in playing against and yet in type.

Calvin Law said...

What are everyone's top 10 musical performances onscreen?

1. Carl Anderson in Jesus Christ Superstar (5)
2. Björk in Dancer in the Dark (5)
3. Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge (5)
4. Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins (4.5)
5. James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy (4.5, cheating a bit here)
6. Bob Hoskins in Pennies From Heaven (4.5)
7. Julie Andrews in Sound of Music (4.5)
8. Ron Moody in Oliver! (4.5)
9. Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables (4.5)
10. Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors (4.5)

Anonymous said...

I guess:
1. Rita Moreno, West Side Story - 5
2. Carl Anderson, Jesus Christ Superstar - 5
3. Nicole Kidman, Moulin Rouge! - 4.5
4. Ted Neeley, Jesus Christ Superstar - 4.5
5. Ewan McGregor, Moulin Rouge! - 4.5
6. Emily Blunt, Into the Woods - 4.5
7. Hugh Jackman, Les Misèrables - 4.5
8. James Corden, Into the Woods - 4.5
9. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chicago - 4.5
10. Samantha Barks, Les Misèrables - 4.5
Moreno is amazing to me. Pretty sad that on this blog quite a few people dislike Kidman in Moulin Rouge!, to me she gives a wonderful performance and she moved me to tears. I don't care for Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins, she's charming enough but an Oscar?! She stole it from Stanley or Bancroft.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin:
1. Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
2. Philip Quast in Les Miserables
3. Carl Anderson in Jesus Christ Superstar
4. Colm Wilkinson in Les Miserables
5. Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge
6. Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables
7. Robert Helpmann in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (He's in a musical, so fuck it)
8. John Travolta in Grease
9. Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music
10. Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I'll replace Travolta and Andrews (X2) with Corden, Blunt and Barks.

GM said...

1. Gene Wilder - Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
2. Liza Minnelli - Cabaret
3. Ewan McGregor - Moulin Rouge
4. Judy Garland - Meet Me in St. Louis
5. Björk - Dancer in the Dark
6. Judy Garland - A Star is Born
7. Hugh Jackman - Les Miserables
8. Julie Andrews - The Sound Of Music
9. Roy Scheider - All That Jazz
10. Tim Curry - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Calvin Law said...

Ah I forgot about Minnelli, and of course, Joel Grey. They'd be on there somewhere too

Michael McCarthy said...

Eh, I dunno if I could come up with 10 I really really liked...but if I did Hugh Jackman wouldn't even touch my top 10, nor would anyone from Les Mis except maybe Sam Barks.

Michael McCarthy said...

Which reminds me, did anyone else watch the Tonys by any chance?

RatedRStar said...

@Michael McCarthy: No but I really liked the look of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, am I the only person a little bored of seeing Bradley Cooper constantly appearing in awards ceremonies lol, I really don't want to see a 4th Oscar nomination anytime soon.


It is quite amazing to see how many Game of Thrones cast members have been recognised by the Tonys.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Cooper has a producing nomination for American Sniper, so it's 5 instead of 4.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Oh come on, I thought he was totally worthy of at least 2 of his nominations. I get the hate for him in Hustle (even though I don't agree), but he was definitely in my top 10 for SLP and Sniper.

RatedRStar said...

Nobody really mentions those kind of nominations though, like no one really mentions George Clooney and Leos producing nominations its always about the main ones. Stannis won a Tony =D.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: I know, but I wanted to mention it anyway.

RatedRStar said...

I just dislike this idea that Cooper could end up getting Oscar nomination after Oscar Nomination and turn into Meryl Streep at this rate, I am hoping a William Hurt/Russell Crowe lightning strike hits, especially since he is working with David OH Russell again.

Anonymous said...

1. Gene Wilder - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
2. Joel Grey - Cabaret
3. Barbra Streisand - Funny Girl
4. Roy Scheider - All That Jazz
5. Tim Curry - The Rocky Horror Picture Show
6. Liza Minnelli - Cabaret
7. Rex Harrison - My Fair Lady
8. Emily Blunt - Into the Woods
9. Marion Cotillard - Nine
10. Samantha Barks - Les Misérables

I really don't quite care about Andrews in both Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, two films, btw, I think are not good. Her best performance in musicals is in Victor/Victoria, and overall in Darling Lili - great film, also.

Robert MacFarlane said...

If he's worthy of a nomination, then I don't see the issue. Plus I think he's going to be nominated this year. None of the projects he's in sound like they'll make a splash, David O. Russell/Harvey Weinstein be damned.

Anonymous said...

Whoops I too totally forgot Cabaret and its two great performers (I am the Anonymous with Moreno in the 1st place). I also forgot Cotillard in Nine and I'd probably put Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady on the list - she might not sing her own songs but she's charming, funny and touching, I love her.

Calvin Law said...

I have seen the London production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime with Luke Treadaway and it is TREMENDOUS.

I'm sure Bradley Cooper is doing a great job with The Elephant Man, but Hurt will always be the definitive Merrick...and an uncle who saw the David Bowie incarnation of the character said he was brilliant too, so I don't know if Cooper will live up to those fellows.

Michael McCarthy said...

On the subject of GoT cast members winning Tonys, let's not forget Jonathan Pryce winning for Miss Saigon.

Anonymous said...

What are your ratings and thoughts on Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line and Sally Hawkins in Happy Go Lucky?

Calvin Law said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue4PCI0NamI The Martian trailer. Highly doubt Louis will like it, and I'm a bit disappointed since I was expecting this to be kinda like 'Moon', to see how Damon can stretch himself (I actually really like him generally as an actor, has anyone else seen him in The Adjustment Bureau, my favourite performance of his)

Also, new Suffragette trailer seems to indicate, (1) Whishaw is going to have an incredibly one-note, wasted role (2) Streep's role is pure Oscar bait (3) I hope even if this turns out to be what it looks like, pure Oscar bait, that Brendan Gleeson's performance will be good enough to warrant awards notice.

Calvin Law said...

Also Louis, SORRY once again, for being such a capricious chap, but I'd like to change my bonus review request for Trevor Howard in Outcast of the Islands, for John Hurt in Scandal (1989). Seriously, what a great performance.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Interstellar II: Mann's Beginning

I still think Mulligan's gonna be great, no matter what. And Streep, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!.

Calvin Law said...

What are we all hoping for 1989 lead and supporting?

Lead:
John Hurt in Scandal
Michael J Fox in Casualties of War
Jeff Bridges in The Fabulous Baker Boys
Steve Martin in Parenthood
James Spader in Sex, Lies and Videotape

Supporting:
Hugh O'Connor in My Left Foot
Sean Connery in The Last Crusade
James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams
Burt Lancaster in Field of Dreams
Bruce Dern in The 'Burbs

Calvin Law said...

Luke: LOL explains why Mann was such a crazy bastard. I confess, I actually enjoyed Damon's performance in Interstellar.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Raul Julia was requested for Romero.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Ah, in which case

John Hurt in Scandal
Michael J Fox in Casualties of War
Jeff Bridges in The Fabulous Baker Boys
Raul Julia in Romero
James Spader in Sex, Lies and Videotape

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: That's just about right.

Calvin Law said...

Although I don't know about Fox, I thought he gave an incredibly strong performance but Louis doesn't seem to be a big fan of him outside of Back to the Future.

There is NO WAY, though, that Day-Lewis will not win the overall, and I do love Hurt and Spader's performances.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I hope Bridges gets a good score. I consider Fabulous Baker Boys his finest hour as an actor and my own win that year.

Calvin Law said...

Also, Sean Penn gives a Razzie-worthy performance in Casualties of War. I mean, Wiseau-worthy at some points.

Matt Mustin said...

I really, REALLY want to see Jack Nicholson reviewed for Batman.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: It's probably his last chance to get a solitary 5 from Louis.

Luke Higham said...

Matt Mustin: I'd like to see him get reviewed as well, but I don't think Louis's particularly fond of his work there, considering his feelings towards the film in the past.

Matt Mustin said...

You can like a performance without liking the movie itself.

Luke Higham said...

Matt Mustin: Yes I know and that's why I respect Louis so much, but as far as I can recall though, he only really liked the score.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Admitedly I thought the novelty of Jack as the Joker wore off on revisit myself. I'm not even putting Ledger into the equation either.

Luke Higham said...

I'd give Nicholson a 3.5, bordering on a 4, but Ledger's Performance is the definitive interpretation of the Clown Prince of Crime in my opinion, as well as the vast majority of cinephiles everywhere.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: That last comment wasn't directed at you by the way.

Calvin Law said...

I give Nicholson a 3.5 too, and nothing more. Ledger is definitive, yes, but I do think Jared Leto will do a good job as well.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I am not convinced by Leto, but mostly due to the fact Suicide Squad sounds awful.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: I think it won't turn out too great, good thing Tom Hardy pulled out so he can do more valuable projects, but I think Leto will overcome the flaws of the film (hopefully...)

Robert MacFarlane said...

Eh, I'm not as big on Leto as you guys are.

Anonymous said...

I have high expectations towards Leto. He was amazing in Requiem for a Dream and Dallas Buyers Club and I hope he won't disappoint.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Was Michael J. Fox requested for Casualties Of War.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: No, he wasn't, I just recommended him as I've seen the film. But I request Hurt because I prefer him and it seems a film/performance Louis'd like

Calvin Law said...

I would give Day-Lewis, Hurt, Bridges all 5's, and Fox a strong 4.5

Calvin Law said...

And great thing is almost all these performances can be found on youtube :D

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: That's fine, but I recall someone suggest him, if not request him, but anyway, I'm a Hurt Fan, so it's great to see him get reviewed again, that's if you stick to your request this time.

Michael McCarthy said...

I personally loved Fox in Casualties of War and I think it might be a surprise 5 from Louis. It's one of those performance that serves as a great anchor for the film and humanizes all of the insanity going on around it, sort of like Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory and McConaughey in Interstellar.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I shall, I only changed because I figured it's going to be a while till bonus rounds, so why not use my requests for the remaining years.

Calvin Law said...

Michael: I agree that Fox is great and I'm glad you like it too, what did you think of the film as a whole, as De Palma films come and go it's not quite up to the standards of Carrie, Blow Out, but it's certainly solid enough, Penn was rather weak in most parts though.

What would your ratings for the cast be, also.

Fox: 4.5
Penn: 2
Reilly: 2.5
Leguizamo: 3
Harvey: 4

Calvin Law said...

And yes, Fox's performance works so well with the film precisely because it's so unshowy, his genial manner and natural kindness just seeps into the character so nicely and makes it all the more disconcerting when he's thrown into the first casualty of war, innocence.

Michael McCarthy said...

Fox: 5
Penn: 2
Reilly: 4
Harvey: 2
Leguizamo: 3

Calvin Law said...

Hm I think I need to re-watch for Reilly and Harvey...

Anonymous said...

About Suffragette, that you commented up there: Meryl Streep's role Oscar bait? It seems to me that she's going simply make one or two speeches and get out, a special participation, if you know what I mean. I also don't belive that she's going to get nominated for Ricki and the Flesh - I only see her making the cut for Florence Foster Jenkins, if this movie screens yet this year, of course.

And Cooper? This time, I don't think so - only if supporting actor gets empty, but it seems to crowded at this point (Hardy, Jackson, Russell, Dern, Fassbender, Elba, Whitaker, etc.)

Robert MacFarlane said...

The trailers for Ricki and the Flash makes me think her daughter will end up being better in it.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Does Fassbender even have a supporting role this year. I thought he was lead in Slow West and I think The Light Between Oceans is gonna be released next year.

Robert MacFarlane said...

He's definitely co-lead in Slow West, no question.

Anonymous said...

The movie didn't arrive here yet, but constantly we see lead performances nominated as supporting, and Slow West main character is McPhee's, right? So I wonder if they're gonna put Fassbender as supporting, à la Waltz in Django Unchained (seems familiar to me both situations), also because he already has two very competitive lead performances (Steve Jobs and MacBeth).

Robert MacFarlane said...

Slow West is not a contender. At best it's a future cult classic. Also, Kodi Smit-McPhee is sort of terrible in it.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Slow West, will not be on the academy's radar this year. 4 reasons for this, are
1. The Film is 83 minutes long
2. Made by a first time director
3. Too Independant
4. It's Tarantino/Wes Anderson-esque in a sense, yet its style will be lost upon academy members.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Given a bit more time to marinate on the episode I now find myself hating what they did with it. The writing felt excessively convenient to make it happen with Ramsay's attack being a bit too swift, Davos having lost any foresight, the desperation just was not built up enough and all it resulted in was the writers turning an interesting grey character into just a black one. I can't help but feel that the show runners disliked that people liked Stannis, particularly since they even dared prefer him to their darling Mary Sue Daenerys, and once again back handed him for being too compelling.

Anonymous:

Cruz - 2.5(She does her sultry routine alright but her performance really does not do much for me)

Cotillard - 4(Easily the best part of the film for me. She's rather moving in portraying the quiet vulnerability of her character and the growing distaste in her for her husband's philandering. Unlike most of the women she does not feel wasted as she builds well to her big moment, through song, and delivers that with the appropriate passion. In fact Cotillard's performance I think best realizes the whole song concept better than the film revealing the true feelings through the dream/song sequence)

Dench - 2(For some reason I find it really tiresome when Dench coasts too much. She's not really actively bad or anything but it feels excessively samey from her here)

Anonymous said...

What are your ratings and thoughts on Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line and Sally Hawkins in Happy Go Lucky?

Anonymous said...

I think Meryl's performance looks very good from the trailers, and she seems good in Suffragette too, wonder if she will be nominated for that as the role is basically a cameo but she's playing a real person and she has all that accent and stuff so maybe she'll actually get a nomination. Personally I wouldn't mind it, I usually really like Meryl and I think she deserved almost all of her nomination (except for Julie & Julia as it's just an imitation without any substance).

Anonymous said...

(in the beginning of the comment I meant the Ricki and the Flash trailers)

RatedRStar said...

I apologise for my comments about Bradley Cooper, I did enjoy 2 of his nominations so, as usual I will retract my earlier statement.
Same with the Tonys, I remember saying that I hated them months ago, I actually would have liked to have seen many of the productions, so I am sorry.

Calvin Law said...

Just wondering what are everyone's award choices for 1989?

1989

Best Picture
Field of Dreams (winner)
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Henry V
The Last Crusade
My Left Foot

Best Director
Kenneth Branagh, Henry V (winner)
Woody Allen, Crimes and Misdemeanors
Steven Speilberg, The Last Crusade
Steven Sodebergh, Sex Lies and Videotape
Jim Sheridan, My Left Foot

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, My Left Foot (winner)
James Spader, Sex Lies and Videotape
John Hurt, Compulsion
Martin Landau, Crimes and Misdemenors
Jeff Bridges, The Fabulous Baker Boys
Hon. Mention: Michael J. Fox in Casualties of War

Best Actress
Jessica Tandy, Driving Ms Daisy (winner)
Michelle Pfiffer, The Fabulous Baker Boys
Meg Ryan, When Harry Met Sally
(that's all I got)

Best Supporting Actor
Burt Lancaster, Field of Dreams (winner)
Hugh O'Connor, My Left Foot
Sean Connery, The Last Crusade
James Earl Jones, Field of Dreams
Michael Biehn, The Abyss (seriously underrated performance)

Best Supporting Actress
Brenda Fricker, My Left Foot (winner)
Emma Thompson, Henry V
Anjelica Huston, Crimes and Misdemeanors
(that's all I got here too...)


Calvin Law said...

I meant, John Hurt in Scandal

Calvin Law said...

Also Louis, what are you're thoughts/rating on:

Mia Farrow in The Purple Rose of Cairo

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I kind of agree with you on this one, Daenerys just bores me to death and am feeling a bit sad with the way the showrunners have treated Stannis as a character within the episode.

Luke Higham said...

Farrow - 4.5(So many of Farrow's roles in Allen films are essentially designed to be the less interesting reactionary characters to more flamboyant ones. This case is no different, but I feel she has a greater purpose within that in this case. Farrow does a nice representation of the adoring fan who finds so much in watching her favorite. She does the glow of the light face particularly well in expressing the true happiness. In addition though she does well to portray the fantasy of her scenes with Tom against the more down to earth moments with Danny Aiello's character. It's lovely work.)

Robert MacFarlane said...

I actually think Stannis's actions were sort of foreshadowed enough for me to buy it. Looking back, I'm starting to wonder if he ever truly loved his daughter to begin with.

Michael McCarthy said...

Calvin: Laura San Giacomo's performance in sex, lies and videotape would definitely make my top 5 (probably supporting).

Robert MacFarlane said...

Oh yeah, Giacomo was fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Giacomo was brilliant, absolutely loved her. Louis, what is Kidman still a 2.5 for Nine? Because you upgraded both Cruz and Cotillard of 0.5 so I wonder if she did too. I hope so, she delivered in her big number even if her character just comes, sings and goes away in like 10 minutes. But I still thought that despite the limitations she still created a fairly moving character finding the desperation within the classy diva. She's a 3 or a 3.5 for me.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin:
Mockingjay Part II Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmYNkasYthg

Calvin Law said...

Michael: Spot on, how could I forget her.

Luke: Hm...well, I'm not a big fan of either Lawrence or the Mockingjay series, and I've watched all the films up till this point just for some of the actors in it who I'm a fan of (Donald Sutherland, Natalie Dormer, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Julianne Moore, Jena Malone).

Nevertheless, I will watch this when it comes out.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I enjoy it well enough and is a marked improvement over the Twilight Saga. Aside from Winter's Bone, I'm not a huge fan of Lawrence either. It's Philip Seymour Hoffman's last ever appearance on screen as well you know.

Calvin Law said...

Oh yeah, I forgot, PSH as well... :(

Anything is a marked improvement over the Twilight Saga, Luke :)

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Are you planning to see Mr Holmes with Ian McKellen, I have heard whispers that it's an award-worthy performance, if so I will definitely be rooting for him.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I plan on seeing it next friday.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Before that, it'll be Jurassic World.

Calvin Law said...

I have to say his snub for Richard III was incredibly egregious, since he lost a place to two incredibly baity/pretty unexceptional performances by Hopkins and Dreyfus, Triosi I actually quite liked but not Oscar-worthy in my opinion, Penn was very good but I have to say he and the film have kinda lessened its impact on me over time, Cage was excellent but if McKellen was a nominee, he would have most certainly deserved to win.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Jurassic World looks surprisingly good, I am actually glad they are starting off with new characters except BD Wong, since bringing back the likes of Goldblum and Neill might not have worked out great, as II and III showed.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I disagree entirely about Jurassic World. I think it looks like complete garbage.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I predict 5s for McKellen and Freeman (Se7en) for '95.

Calvin Law said...

In my opinion, 1995 Oscars should've been:

Cage
McKellen
Morgan Freeman for Se7en
James Earl Jones in Cry, the Beloved Country
Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys

Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects
Kevin Spacey in Se7en
Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility
James Cromwell in Babe
Jeremy Irons in Die Hard III (alright, maybe not, maybe Patrick McGoohan in Braveheart...but I love Irons in that film, a guilty treat)


Calvin Law said...

Luke: I agree, I think, the top 5 will be,

Freeman
McKellen
Willis
Cage
(?) Kevin Bacon, James Earl Jones, Penn, Ethan Hawke, John Travolta...depends on who Louis reviews, I know Hawke's a request

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Do you think Louis will put Brad Pitt in Se7en into Lead, or Supporting? Either way I have a feeling he will get a strong 4.5/even 5, because of these words in his review on Pitt for The Tree of Life,

'What is wrong with the academy when it comes to Pitt, I have not gotten to 1995 yet, but in both this year and 2008 they failed to nominate his superior supporting work in favor of his lesser leading work.'

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: At the moment, I would say Lead.
At most a 4.5, since some have had problems with his final scene.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Jonathan Pryce was requested for Carrington.

Robert MacFarlane said...

He's not gonna get that high of a score as long as his last scene exists.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin:
Lead Lineup - 1995
Ian McKellen in Richard III
Morgan Freeman in Se7en
Ethan Hawke in Before Sunrise
Jonathan Pryce in Carrington
Bruce Willis in Twelve Monkeys
I'd like to see a review for Gibson, but whatever.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: I think everyone has the same reservation with that scene.

Luke: That's a bloody good lineup, I think Louis would give a 4 or 4.5 to Gibson, I think it's quite a strong leading man performance by him.

Robert MacFarlane said...

The Scotsman in me must strenuously object to Gibson and his "accent".

Calvin Law said...

Robert: What are some of the best/worst Scots accents you've watched onscreen, Johnny Lee Miller's in Trainspotting I find to be pretty spot-on.

Robert MacFarlane said...

As far as I can tell very few actors can do one without sounding like a tool. Sharlto Copley's attempt at it in Maleficent is the most recent butchering, though the worst I've heard is always going to be chronic overactor Christopher Eccelston in G.I. Joe. That is worthy of a Wiseau or two.

Michael McCarthy said...

If Louis considers Richard Harris supporting for Cry, the Beloved Country (which I could totally buy) I REALLY hope he gets reviewed.

Psifonian said...

Robert,

Stannis absolutely loved his daughter. It killed him to do what he did. If he didn't love her, he would've sacrificed her years ago. No, he did it because there was no other recourse that he could see, save for sacrificing himself on the pyre (which Melisandre would not have allowed). They were stranded, dying, and he was desperate. Was it the right move? Yes. Was it a just move? Not at all, and he will forever be haunted by his actions. But he did love Shireen, and doing what he did killed his soul. Now he's just waiting for his body to rot.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Kidman was completely wasted for and to be honest I barely remember her performance.

Anonymous:

Witherspoon - 2(This performance always comes off as very off to me, in just the way she says so many lines comes as strange. I never felt there was the special chemistry needed for her scenes with Phoenix, and when she's not off-putting I found her to be underwhelming)

Hawkins - 4(She's good in making this sort of happy person believable as she brings that constant energy without making it seem too much. I love her in her scenes with Eddie Marsan, and she does well in revealing the way her character essentially deals with someone who questions her happiness. I have to admit though I don't care for the rest of the film and Hawkins does not quite make her just interacting with random people compelling)