The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Widely considered to be the first horror film to win the Oscar for best picture,  this film epitomizes the thriller genre.   Anthony Hopkins is so delectably creepy as the legendary Hannibal Lecter.  Although Hopkins steals the show,  Jodie Foster holds her own and develops her own juicy character of Clarice Starling.  Hannibal is a psychopathic mentalist who analyzes people,  using his skills to mess with people.   But Clarice sees through it and it is revealed that Hannibal can be useful in solving her case.  The two form a bond of sorts that is difficult to describe.    As with all horror movies,  the cinematography is very important.   It keeps you at the edge of your seat in anticipation,  whether it's through the lenses of night vision goggles or watching the elevator descend. Unlike many horror movies today,  the writing is superb.  It's so smart and Hannibal's dialogue is so creepy that it stays with you.    

My Emmy Picks 2014

Predicting the Emmys is very difficult considering the shear amount of high quality TV nowadays.  This is really a testament to the depth of the medium of television.  There are 26 categories at this Monday's Emmy telecast:

Acting

Lead Actor in a Comedy: Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory) should repeat here in a relatively weak category

Lead Actress in a Comedy: Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), long overdue, should finally win her maiden Emmy though I would not count out Julia Louise Dreyfus (Veep) to win her third in a row

Supporting Actor in a Comedy: I pick Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family) to win his first but watch out for Tony Hale (Veep) to repeat

Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Allison Janney (Mom) also won this year for her role in Masters of Sex and could win a second, but don't underestimate the influence of Modern Family with its two-time winner Julie Bowen

Lead Actor in a Drama: It's a dead heat between Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Matthew McConaughey (True Detective) and I think McConaughey will win over Emmy voters though Bryan Cranston is probably the most deserving

Lead Actress in a Drama: Juliana Margulies (The Good Wife) gave her best performance yet and this will be the consolation prize for the snub in the Drama series category, but keep an eye out for Robin Wright (House of Cards)

Supporting Actor in a Drama: I see a three way race between Josh Charles (The Good Wife), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones).  I think Emmy voters will not pass on the chance to award Paul one last time but I would be happy to see Charles win for his final season

Supporting Actress in a Drama: Remember when Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey) used to be a dead lock? But this is Anna Gunn's (Breaking Bad) race to lose.  A win for Christine Baranski (The Good Wife) would also be acceptable

Lead Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: In a very strong field, Billy Bob Thornton (Fargo) is the favorite to win

Lead Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: Cicely Tyson (The Trip to Bountiful) won a Tony for playing the same role on Broadway

Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart) makes a huge transformation for his role as a man with AIDS; I would also look out for Martin Freeman (Sherlock) who could win a consolation prize here since he will likely lose in the the Lead Actor category to his costar in Fargo

Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: Allison Tolman (Fargo) has gotten the most buzz and the trio from American Horror Story will likely split voters paving the way for Tolman

Writing

Comedy: Orange is the New Black

Drama: Breaking Bad (Ozymandias, though it could easily be Felina)

Variety Special: 67th Tony Awards

Miniseries/Movie: The Normal Heart

Directing

Comedy: Modern Family

Drama: Breaking Bad

Variety Special: The Kennedy Center Honors

Miniseries/Movie: The Normal Heart 

Programs

Comedy: This probably comes down to a race between perennial favorite and four-time reigning champ Modern Family and the newcomer with the momentum Orange is the New Black.  I love Modern Family, but I'm betting on Black.

Drama: This category will mirror the Lead Actor category, but don't let the outcome of that race influence this one. Breaking Bad should edge out True Detective for its superb final season that wrapped everything up so perfectly.  Breaking Bad will go down in history as one of the best shows ever and I imagine they will go out on a high note. 

Variety: Last year, The Colbert Report ended The Daily Show's long reign and they could easily repeat this year, though Jon Stewart is still very much a factor.  However, this year also saw the rise of Jimmy Fallon and a revamped Tonight Show that has done well in the ratings and continues to deliver.  I predict a win for the Tonight Show

Miniseries: Fargo, hands down

Movie: The Normal Heart, because Emmy voters love Hollywood stars who do TV, but I love Sherlock. Sherlock is really the best

Reality: The Amazing Race used to win every year, as it should.  I pick Amazing Race to come back as it has before when Top Chef dethroned it.  The reigning champ The Voice is also a very strong contender but it really should be Amazing Race

Update: 11/26 in what was a very surprising award show.  American Horror Story and Sherlock swept the miniseries/movie acting categories (Sherlock deservedly, but surprisingly, so) and Sherlock also picked up a writing award.  Other surprises: Netflix shutout, Ty Burrell a two-time winner, Fargo and The Normal Heart go 0/10 acting awards

Tammy (2014)

Tammy is Melissa McCarthy's latest reincarnation of the same old character she always plays.  She typecast herself in a role that does not really let her talents shine.  She is a very funny comedian but I fear that in the future she will continue to be typecast.  The character is great in Bridesmaids,  but I think the audience has tired of it.  Susan Sarandon makes for a great crazy grandmother character.   The dynamic between her and McCarthy,  however, does not work nearly as well as with McCarthy and Sandra Bullock in The Heat.   Sarandon really gives it her all given subpar script.  It is amazing how many big names this script attracted and really goes to show the power and popularity of McCarthy.   

Capote (2005)

There's no denying that Philip Seymour Hoffman is incredibly captivating, completely becoming Truman Capote.  His Oscar was well deserved.  He nails the voice, the mannerisms, and the mindset of the man who captivated America with his true crime novel In Cold Blood.  I admit that sometimes it was a little difficult to understand what he was saying, but that just makes you listen more closely to the well written script.  While In Cold Blood gives us a little insight into the killers while the movie gives us intimate insight into the author at his height.  Capote spent six long years on this book.  Capote regularly expresses his frustration over how long it took. The film genuinely feels like six years, a little slow at times.  

The Square (2013)

How often do we witness history in the moment and have a camera handy to document it?   The Square follows a group of young people who understood the significance of the moment they were living in.  This is a film that will be shown in history classrooms across the world in fifteen years time when journalists and historians can look back at the Arab Spring with hindsight; and this will only have been made possible by the brave, young, revolutionaries of Egypt.  Throughout the film over a span of two years, we observe the passion in their voices and actions in fighting for a cause they truly believed in.

The footage is very intimate, bringing the viewer right in the middle of Tahrir Square, into the tents in peaceful times and fleeing the military in violent times.  The camerawork is fantastic, especially considering the hectic and dangerous circumstances under which it was done.  The shots of the shear number of angry people, with their different ideologies put aside, coming together to sit-in at Tahrir Square were incredibly moving.  Even the graffiti art is extraordinary.  The well-organized structure of the documentary has three distinct parts: protest against Mubarak, against the military, and against the Muslim Brotherhood.  The filmmakers make the effort to show all sides of the revolution from the viewpoints of the military, Brotherhood, and revolutionaries.

The revolution was brought about by the younger generation that was fed up with the Mubarak regime.  This is significant because they are the future.  Change is brought about by the large middle class; today's revolutionaries are just regular people.  Social media outlets like YouTube allowed the messages to disseminate quickly to millions of people.  This very much was a revolution of the people: the film shows what the revolution meant to individual people, from an international foreign-born star to a Muslim Brother.  It shows that revolution is long, tough and complex; it is far beyond just politics.  One of the big concerns of the film is that the revolutionaries were not organized enough.  The brutal truth was that they could not offer an alternative to the regime they sought to topple.  The film never shies away from the truth.    

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

This movie is very uniquely Will Ferrell-style comedy.  He assumes the now iconic character of Ron Burgundy and just runs with the ridiculous nonsense.  It is very fast paced, with jokes in rapid succession.  The jokes are not as memorable as those one-liners from the first film,, but many of them hit the nail right on the head thanks to good execution.  The cast has mastered improv techniques and funny-looking facial expressions.  Aside from jokes, the plot is a relevant, clever, and spot-on satire on cable news.   Burgundy finds work at the thinly veiled 24-hour news network.  What do they do when they don't have 24-hours worth of news? He helms the decline of journalism and the rise of car chases and animal videos.  To quote Will Ferrell, "You're welcome, America."             

Need For Speed (2014)

It's like watching a video game, except you're deprived of the joy of holding the controller in your hands.  So actually, it's like watching other people play video games.  Of course, people do that but I just do not get it.  The movie is bound to face comparison to the closest thing to it: Fast and Furious.  But this movie is missing the fun heist element.  Aaron Paul is probably the only redeeming quality in the movie.  I would say that his talents are wasted here on a flat character that is more or less a rip-off of his righteous, conscious-ridden, act-without-thinking Jesse Pinkman.  In the run up to the culminating race, the film actually plays out as a road trip movie across the country in a fancy car.  But much like real road trips, the car ride is boring without laughs or scenery.  

The Intouchables (2011)

This French film is a heartwarming and humorous variation on  Driving Miss Daisy,  though less about race and more about living a full life despite disability.  Philippe is a quadriplegic who hires Driss to be his new caregiver.  He chooses Driss, who is arguably the least qualified candidate,  because he does not want any pity.  The audience learns to not pity Philippe and to even laugh with him.  Driss is not only an employee,  but becomes a close friend.   They confide in each other,  joke with each other and expose each other to their interests.  Both actors do an excellent job and the writing is genuinely funny.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Robin Williams delivered one of his most memorable roles in his Oscar nominated performance in Dead Poets Society.  Though a brilliant comedian, Williams was excellent in dramatic roles as well.  Full of quotable lines, creative lesson plans and inspirational life lessons, Williams's Mr. Keating is the English teacher everyone wishes they had.  Much of this can be attributed to good acting by Williams as well as a well written Oscar winning screenplay.  The film takes place in an elite boarding school, running the risk of alienating the general audience that cannot relate to the wealthy and privileged.  But this is not the case.  The students are for the most part down-to-earth. They have the same problems associated with growing up that everyone can relate to: academic pressure, family pressure, relationship issues.         

The Wind Rises (2013)

Having grown up with Hayao Miyazaki's films, I was very saddened to hear that he would be retiring.  This was his final film. In the past, Miyazaki has shown a fascination with flight (much like his protagonist), and his films have featured pacifist themes.  It is Miyazaki's only film based on real life, though it retains his signature fantastical elements in lifelike dreams and imagination. The Wind Rises is about Jiro Horikoshi, who designed Japanese war planes during WWII--or rather he designed planes that Japan used for war.  Miyazaki ran into some controversy.  The film does not attempt to glorify a weapons maker, but an engineer and artist whose art was corrupted by war.  Horikoshi sums his feelings up in one line: "All I wanted to do was to make something beautiful."

As always in Studio Ghibli's films, the animation is incredible.  Depicting prewar Japan (which I became very familiar with after taking a class on Modern Japan last semester), Horikoshi experiences the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.  Watching this animated world shake and the city set ablaze is a feat of animation.  If there is any question as to Miyazaki's pacifist views, all the characters question who the warplanes would be used to attack, surely not America.  After reading John Dower's Embracing Defeat, I learned that most Japanese in the weapons industry were always aware of how behind Japan was technologically.  They knew that western weapons were far superior and figured Japan would not dare bomb America.  Miyazaki does not shy away from the historical facts, but presents it honestly.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Unlike Marvel's other offerings,  this movie runs like one long joke.   Lucky for Marvel, it's very funny.  In the theater that I went to,  there was no pity laughter; it was all genuine riotous laughter.   Being unfamiliar with the comics,  I'm not sure how seriously it is supposed to be taken. This proves that action movies can be more than just special effect.   The writing can still shine (talking to you,  Transformers).  The out of place 70s/80s music in an outer space saga adds to the joke feeling.   It really shouldn't work, but it does.  It is mixed into the film well in the form of a mix tape taken from Earth.

The casting of Chris Pratt was perfect,  not too serious at all and so funny.   Probably best known for playing dim witted Andy in Parks and Recreation, who knew he could pull off the hero type (albeit not your conventional hero)? Personally,  my favorite character is Bradley Cooper as Rocket the genetically modified racoon.  The scenes in which I laughed the hardest were funny because of Rocket.  

Chef (2014)

It's delectable. This is simply a faultless feel-good comedy.  You can't go wrong with a movie about food!  Rachel Ray is always talking about a future in which there exists the smell-evision.  This film left me also wanting taste-evision.  Not only does it look like it tastes good, but the food genuinely looks good. Points for plating.

Jon Favreau leads a star studded cast.  I particularly enjoyed the supporting cast, especially John Leguizamo. Along with the Latin jazz soundtrack and Miami setting, he adds to the fun, Latin atmosphere of the film.

This is a very modern film.  Food trucks are the latest craze and the movie also highlights the power of social media.  Because of this, the film feels fresh even though the idea is not so original (man loses job, reinvents himself).

  

The Lego Movie (2014)

This is the best conceived animated film of the year by far.  The level of creativity on this film is at the highest level.  The dreaded super weapon is known as the Kragle, that's Krazy Glue with a few letters scratched out.  The animators have created entire cities out of Lego pieces and the characters quickly construct vehicles out of the beloved children's toys.  It looks like a really good stop motion, but it is in fact just innovative computer animation.  The visuals are just incredible.

The humor is fast-paced, clever, full of cultural references and just pure fun.  The movie is reminiscent of the cut scenes that can be found in Lego's series of video games (which I admit are quite fun).  The jokes are similar, the animation is similar, and the master builders are basically video game characters.  Whereas the video games and Lego sets separate Batman from Star Wars and pirate ships and the wild west, this film melds them all together, much to the benefit of Lego's marketing department.

The voice work is fantastic.  Chris Pratt is having a very good year.  As Emmett Brickowski, he nails the dim-witted, unassuming hero-type.  Morgan Freeman is perfect as usual as the wise mentor-type.  And Will Ferrell makes a surprise appearance in human form towards the end of the film.  Without spoilers, it is his appearance that gives the film its heart.  It was unexpected, but pleasantly thoughtful and wholly welcome.  

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

I'm a sucker for puns and this movie is just chock full of them, one after another.  The food that once rained down from the skies comes to life, each as a different appropriately named animal.  It's kind of like the animated food/animal version of Jurassic Park.  They create their own ecosystem and of course we can leave it to the evil corporations to destroy it.  There are some funny jokes but as far as animated flicks go, it does not have the emotion that you'd find in a Pixar movie or even in its predecessor.  The original was...well, original (though based on a book).  The sequel was less so, and not really necessary.    

Breaking Bad (2008-13)

I have finally finished Breaking Bad and it was certainly worth all the hype.  This was indisputably one of the best shows ever created.  It's so good that there is a Spanish language remake that has also found success.  All of the acting was superb--not just Emmy winners Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, and Aaron Paul, but everyone including the supporting cast and guest actors.  All of them are strong Emmy contenders.  But what makes this show so great?  It's the writing.  The plot is brilliant.  A high school chemistry teacher is diagnosed with cancer, and turns to cooking meth to pay his medical bills and support his family.  Walter White is a smart man who takes pride in his work.  Throughout the five seasons, Walter hatches intricately woven plans to achieve his goals and his been a joy watching them unfold slowly, deliberately, and perfectly.

In its final season, Breaking Bad really went above and beyond.  Every character (even those you might have since forgotten about) gets to wrap up his/her story line.  All loose ends are tied up and each person is given a satisfying ending.  Now, we have the spin-off Better Call Saul to look forward to.              

One Chance (2013)

The Paul Potts biopic features Tony-winner James Corden, who plays the nerve-wracked opera singer.  He is the best thing about this mediocre movie (It is rumored that he will succeed Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show) .  The comedy is TV movie-type cheesy, though I admit some of the jokes are quite funny.  The Welsh accents are spot on.  Maybe that's what was so entertaining.  As an ardent Britain's Got Talent fan, I was disappointed to find that the majority of Potts's time on talent show was omitted from his story.  We get to watch a glimpse of his audition, with clips edited in from the actual audition of the judges (that means no one plays Simon, Piers, Amanda, or Ant and Dec)--Amanda gets teary eyed.  Potts struggled to follow his dream, then when he finally finds success on Britain's Got Talent, the movie ends.  Wish we could have basked in that success a little longer.    

The Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014)

This movie unfortunately will face comparisons.  Marvel had an incredibly strong showing this year with Captain America, X-Men and now Guardians of the Galaxy.  Spiderman is the weak link.  On top of that, I do not think the sequel was as good as the first one.  There were some really great scenes.  The movie really emphasizes Spiderman's  super quick reflexes with slow motion scenes.  The effects are well done in those scenes.  That being said, they are not nearly as entertaining as Quicksilver's shining moment in X-Men.

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are excellent.  Spiderman, as a superhero, has always been kind of lame/goofy when it comes to dialogue.  But I think the dialogue throughout the movie was relatively weak (You don't have dim sum at 8, Emma Stone!).  The screenplay was a little all over the place.  I would have been satisfied with just Green Goblin or just Electro, but we unnecessarily get both.