Review roundup

It just occurred to me that I haven't been posting of non-2008 films in quite a while...so yeah, I thought maybe I'd just catch anyone who's interested up on what I've been seeing from yesteryear (aka: the past two months).

1. Blood Simple (1984): The Coen brothers' debut; now I understand why people call it one of the best debut's ever. It's simple. It's bloody. And it's brilliant (the camera work is phenomenal).

Grade: A
Nominations: Best Picture(#2), Best Director(s) - Joel and Ethan Coen(#2), Best Actor - M. Emmett Walsh(#3), Best Original Screenplay(#1 WINNER), Best Editing(#2), Best Cinematography(#3)

2. Miller's Crossing(1990): One of the Coen brother's earlier efforts, this one seemed to be an attempt to show the world that they could do really really complex stories. Though the period is a nice change for them, I couldn't help but feel a little underwhelmed by this one. There's certainly plenty to love: strong performances, good production design, and some riotously black comedy moments (this film showcases the Coen's dialogue at its best). However, by the end, it felt like things had become a little too complex, almost bordering on weak contrivance. Still, it's quite a strong film in many other regards. However, I think their immediate follow up in a similar time period (Barton Fink) is vastly superior.

Grade: B/B+
Nominations: Best Picture(#2), Best Director(s) - The Coens, Best Actor - Gabriel Byrne(#2), Best Supporting Actor - Jon Turturro(#4), Best Supporting Actor - Albert Finney(#3), Best Supporting Actress - Marcia Gay Harden(#2), Best Art Direction(#1 WINNER), Best Costume Design(#1 WINNER), Best Original Score - Carter Burwell(#2)

3. Breaking the Waves(1996): The first of Lars von Trier's "suffering female protagonists" trilogy, this one centers on simple minded Bess (an astounding Emily Watson, making her acting debut), who goes through some....unusual trials in order to help her injured husband (Stellan Skarsgard). Hard to get through, but mostly worth the pay off. Great soundtrack too.

Grade: B+
Nominations: Best Picture(#2), Best Director - Lars Von Trier(#2), Best Actress - Emily Watson(#1 WINNER...sorry Frances McDormand, I still love you in Fargo), Best Original Screenplay

4. Almost Famous(2000): Another movie that some people I know wouldn't shut up about that I was determined to not like (or at least find wildly overrated), I actually really loved this film. The first 30 minutes is a little uneven, but once it gets going it's absolutely wonderful. Dammit Kate Hudson, why can't you choose more roles like this?

Grade: A
Nominations: Best Picture(#2), Best Director - Cameron Crowe(#3), Best Supporting Actress - Frances McDormand(#1 WINNER), Best Supporting Actress - Kate Hudson(#2), Best Original Screenplay(#2), Best Editing(#2)

5. In the Mood for Love(2001): Proof that shorter isn't necessarily better, Wong Kar Wai's toned down romance isn't as visually engagning nor as emotionally involving as the 2005 sequel "2046". However, performances are strong and the soundtrack is great.

Grade: B+
Nominations: Best Actor - Tony Leung(#2), Best Actress - Maggie Cheung(#2), Best Original Screenplay(#5), Best Costume Design(#3)

6. Dancer in the Dark(2000): Part two of the above mentioned "suffering female protagonists" trilogy, this film bears more in common with Dogville (aka Part III) in that it is more experimental (Lars von Trier and musical aren't two things that belond together). However, Dancer outdoes both Breaking the Waves and Dogville in emotional impact; the final scenes of this 2.5 hour drama are unbelievably devastating (who knew Bjork could act?).

Grade: A+
Nominations: Best Picture(#1 WINNER), Best Director - Lars Von Trier(#1 WINNER), Best Actress - Bjork(#1 WINNER), Best Supporting Actress - Catherine Deneuve(#5), Best Original Screenplay(#1 WINNER), Best Original Song - I've seen it all(#1 WINNER)

7. Barton Fink(1991): Another Coen brothers' gem, mixing in the period setting and more complicated plot of Miller's crossing with a whole different side to the Coens. Featuring outstanding performances, Barton Fink doesn't have the usual subversive Coen bros. humor, but it does pack some brilliant stylistic and narrative touches , in particular the second half where things start getting more than a little disturbing and "Shining-esque" (the numerous eerily lit hallway shots). Some points off for the second half hour, which drags a bit, but kudos for a brilliantly twisted second half (the bizarre parallel of Hollywood executives to the rise of Nazism? warped genius).

Grade: A
Nominations: Best Picture(#2), Best Directors - Joel and Ethan Coen(#2), Best Actor - John Turturro(#2), Best Supporting Actor - John Goodman(#1 WINNER), Best Supporting Actor - John Mahoney(#3), Best Original Screenplay(#1 WINNER), Best Editing(#2), Best Cinematography(#1 WINNER), Best Art Direction(#1 WINNER), Best Costume Design(#1 WINNER), Best Original Score - Carter Burwell(#??)