Hindsight: AMC Theater's Best Picture Showcase

Upon returning from the all day marathon of films (from 11AM till 11PM) at my local AMC Googleplex, I felt the urge to get every one of my thought down into this blog. Unfortunaely, I wasn't exactly up to it after 12 hours staring at a screen and eating popcorn (topped with oh so delicious and slippery butter like topping.) So, after a day of results and reflection on this year's nominees, I've decided to vioce my opinions on each film and give a run down.

9 AM- Wake up in a groggy haze, wondering Do I really want to sit through 12 hours of films other people have deemed worthy? I quickly answer myself with a stern Of course. I get ready and go to the local IHOP for those delicious Chocolate chip pancakes.

10 AM- Arrive at AMC, and recieve the super important looking badge signifying my higher movie going status. (It just screams all access.) I grab a good seat and await Michael Clayton.

Michael Clayton

Grade: A (#4 on the top 10)

It starts wityh a huge bang, Tom Wilkinson's crazed litagator spewing the best so crazy he's sane sermon since Peter Finch got mad as hell and surely was not going to take it anymore. It only gets better from there with Clooney, Wilkinson and Swinton giving undeniably brilliant performances. Everything a John Grisham thriller should be ... but never is.

There Will Be Blood

Grade: A (#9 on the top 10)

Not much can be said that you do not already know. Daniel Day Lewis is the best living actor, and Paul Thomas Anderson creates a vivid, compelling world of morally bankrupt, power-hungry sociopaths.

Atonement

Grade: A (#7 on the top 10)

Oh, who doesn't love the sweeping period piece? Often they tend to be melodramatic and bloated, Atonement, however is one horse of a different color. The grand romance is genuine and the ending packs an emotional punch that leaves you shaken. Every performance is riveting and there is one shot that will be remebered for some time afterward. Deservedly so.

Juno

Grade: A+ (#1 on the top 10)

Still the year's best and absolute brightest after four viewings. No one, I repeat, no one has given a performance quite like the one Ellen Page presents in this film. The script is whip smart, the cast is unmatched, the direction is a classic example of controling tone, and damnit its just so charming!

No Country for Old Men (#2 on the top 10)

Grade: A+

The Coen Brothers are the most technically proficient filmmakers around. Each time they release a film, the result is polished and at the very least, better than 70-75% of what else is out there. This is perhaps their best work, and it contains Oscar worth work in nearly every facet of filmmaking. This is high craftwork at its best.

11:07 PM- I emerge from the local googleplex (still cannot get enough of that word) completely satisfied. Whatever the outcome of the next day's Oscars, I would be pleased with the winner. 2007 was an outstandingly strong year for film and the crop of Best Picture nominees proves that much better than I ever could.

My Personal Ranking of the Nominees

1. Juno

2. No Country for Old Men

3. Michael Clayton

4. Atonement

5. There Will Be Blood

My OFFICIAL Oscar Predictions

Picture: No Country
Director: Coen Bros.
Actor: Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Actress: Christie, Away from Her
S. Actor: Bardem, No Country
S. Actress: Swinton, Michael Clayton
O. Script: Juno
A. Script: No Country
Editing: Bourne
Cinematography: Jesse James
Art Direction: Blood
Costume: Atonement
Score: Atonement
Animated Film: Ratatouille
Sound Mixing: Bourne
Sound Editing: No Country
Song: Once
Documentary: No End iun Sight
Doc. Short: Sari's Mother
Short Live Action: Thati Arghenti
Short Animated: I met The Walrus
Forgein: The Counterfieters