Oscars – Page 2 – cinemescope

100 Word Review – All About Eve (1950)

September 5, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, DramaTagged Anne Baxter, Bette Davis, Drama, George Sanders, Hollywood, IMDb, Joseph L Mankiewicz, Marilyn Monroe, Oscars, ThrillerLeave a comment

A magnificent example of classic Hollywood.

Star Margo Channing (Bette Davis) believes that ingenue Eve (Anne Baxter) is trying to climb Hollywood’s career ladder by using her as a stepping stone.

It’s a truly twisted tale of deception, ambition and betrayal.

Witten and directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz (Cleopatra, Guys and Dolls), this film has won six Oscars including Best Directing and Best Screenplay and was nominated for a further eight. It even beat Sunset Boulevard for Best Picture and holds the record for the greatest number of female action Oscar nominations. It is currently number 100 on IMDb’s Top 250 films.

100 Word Review – Up (2009)

August 30, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, DramaTagged Action, adventure, animation, Bob Peterson, Christopher Plummer, Comedy, Drama, Edward Asner, family, IMDb, Oscars, Pete Doctor, pixar2 Comments

Possibly one of Pixar’s most beautiful family features.

Carl (voiced by Edward Asner) has lived a long life. Now widowed and alone, Carl will stop at nothing to prevent developers from seizing his property, including flying away.

Written and directed by Pete Doctor (Inside Out, Wall.E) and Bob Peterson (Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc.), it captures the spirit of adventure that lives on in us long after our childhood years. Christopher Plummer along with both directors and various members of their family, lent his voice to the film.

Winner of two Oscars for music and animation, it’s now #114 in IMDb’s Top 250.

100 Word Review – The Lion King (1994)

August 28, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words...Tagged Ernie Sabella, IMDb, James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Musical, Nathan Lane, Oscars, Tony3 Comments

Winner of two Oscars for its music and nominated for a further two, this is an undoubted jewel in the Disney crown, demonstrated further by the six-time Tony Award winning musical it spawned.

The plot is, arguably, a child-friendly version of Hamlet.

Simba (voiced in part by Matthew Broderick), a lion cub devastated by the loss of his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones) abandons his pride and makes unlikely friends in to form of meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).

The film itself is beautifully done, with stunning animation, and is currently number 54 on IMDb’s top 250 list.

100 Word Review – Misery (1990)

August 25, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Drama, ThrillerTagged Drama, James Caan, Kathy Bates, Oscars, Rob Reiner, Stephen King, Thriller, William Goldman1 Comment

Kathy Bates is extraordinary in this film.

Acclaimed writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan), whose car comes off the road on an isolated highway, is rescued by Annie Wilkes (Bates), his biggest fan.

A wonderful, terrifying thriller about the power of fame and idolisation.

I’ve never been more scared of anyone than I am of Bates in this film. She won an Oscar for her performance. Adapted by William Goldman (The Princess Bride, Marathon Man) from Stephen King’s novel and directed by Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, This Is Spinal Tap), it’s a story constructed by master storytellers, delivered with perfection.

100 Word Review – Whiplash (2014)

August 4, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., DramaTagged Drama, drumming, drums, IMDb, jazz, JK Simmons, Miles Teller, music, Oscars, tenseLeave a comment

I came out of this feeling like the skin on a snare drum that had been steadily tightened. Tense doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Andrew (Miles Teller) is a keen drummer in his first year at elite music school Schaeffer, determined to make a name for himself. When he is chosen for The Studio Jazz Band by acclaimed conductor Fletcher (JK Simmons) he this he’s on his way. Little does he know his fight is just beginning.

The relationship between these two actors is mesmerising. It is no surprise that Simmons won an Oscar for his role. He’s breathtaking.

100 Word Review – One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest (1975)

July 21, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., DramaTagged 1960s, adaptation, Bo Goldman, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Drama, IMDb, Jack Nicholson, Ken Kesey, Lawrence Hauben, Louise Fletcher, Milos Foreman, OscarsLeave a comment

Jack Nicholson at his finest in this superb adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel about the inner workings of 1960s mental institutes.

McMurphy (Nicholson) pleads insanity rather than face his prison sentence thinking it will be the easier option. He is mistaken.

Louise Fletcher won an Oscar for her portrayal of the terrifying Nurse Ratchet; Nicholson nabbed one for Best Actor; Milos Foreman won Best Director: Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman were awarded Best Screenplay for their adaptation; and with the help of the marvellous cast (Danny Devito, Christopher Lloyd) ensured the Best Picture win.

Little wonder it’s #15 on IMDb’s Top 250.

100 Word Review – The Matrix (1999)

July 14, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Sci FiTagged Action, Carrie-Anne Moss, computers, IMDb, Keanu Reeves, Lawrence Fishburne, Oscars, Sci Fi, WachowskisLeave a comment

Currently sitting at 18 on the IMDb Top 250 list, it’s no exaggeration to say that this film was ground-breaking.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) is a computer hacker who is approached by a group of rebels (Carrie-Anne Moss, Lawrence Fishburne) intent on convincing him the world he knows may not be as it appears.

Writing and directing team the Wachowskis (V For Vendetta, Cloud Atlas) spent an $80 million making this the masterpiece that they envisioned and, considering they won four Oscars for the special effects, editing and sound, it was money well spent.

It’s the classic Sci Fi action that you can’t miss!

100 Word Review – The Theory of Everything (2014)

July 13, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words...Tagged ALS, Anthony McCarten, biopic, Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, James Marsh, Jane Hawking, Motor Neurone Disease, Oscars, physics, Stephen HawkingLeave a comment

Anyone watching it cannot question how Eddie Redmayne won the Best Actor Oscar for his outstanding performance in this brilliant biopic.

The extraordinary life of world-renown physicist Stephen Hawking (Redmayne), from being a student at Cambridge through struggles with motor neurone disease, and his relationship with his wife (Felicity Jones).

Based on the autobiography of his wife Jane Hawking, it was carefully adapted by Anthony McCarten and delicately directed by James Marsh (Project Nim, Man On Wire). The end result is a touching tale, told with love and humour, about one of the greatest men and minds of our time.

100 Word Review – Hello, Dolly! (1969)

July 2, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, RomanceTagged Barbra Streisand, Comedy, Gene Kelly, Michael Crawford, Musical, Oscars, Romance, Wall.E, Walter Matthau1 Comment

Barbra Streisand is one of the most fabulous people to walk the Earth, and this wonderful film is just one of her many gems.

Dolly (Streisand) is a rich widow who uses her many talents to improve the lives of those around her, namely as a matchmaker.

Based on the much-loved Broadway musical, directed by Gene Kelly (Singin’ In The Rain) and co- starring Walter Matthau and Michael Crawford, it’s little wonder it won three Oscars.

Funny, sweet, sad, romantic and jam-packed with songs that are liable to have you dancing in the aisles (one of which featured on Wall.E).

100 Word Review – Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

June 29, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., DramaTagged 1980s, AIDS, Denis O'Hare, Drama, HIV, Homosexuality, Jared Leto, Jean-Marc Vallee, Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey, Oscars, Ron Woodroof, Steve Zahn1 Comment

Winner of three Oscars, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Matthew McConaughey and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Jared Leto (who I did not recognise until the end credits), and nominated for three more (including the illusive Best Picture) this is certainly worth a watch.

Following the life of Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), a homophobic electrician who contracts HIV in 1985 and finds himself supporting the “faggots” he has been so disgusted by in order to get the drugs he needs.

Jean-Marc Vallée’s direction gives the drama a well delivered personal touch.