The Broadcast Film Critics Association is ushering in the awards season with a parade of the most stunning films released on 2011 with the 17th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards. Hugo and The Artist each received a standingovation from the critics garnering 11 nominations each. However this doesnt mean that their Best Picture trophy is already secured. A number of great films trail behind and might surprise enthusiasts. Well, let us discuss which film out-stands the rest.
The Artist
Director Michel Hazanavicius makes the classic fresh with this silent film about films. Without scripts, this movie focuses on acting, production design and othe aesthtics of film-making. Critics love it just because it's unorthodox. In this age of 3D films, a silent film shot purely as an old movie winning a Best Picture would be almost like the movie itself, dramatic.
The Descendants
Forget about all the George Clooney movies you've previously seen, The Descendants is what Empire Magazine referred to as his career performance. He plays an Aloha-shirt-wearing dad who has to try to keep his head above water to keep his family from sinking. This family drama contrasts its beautiful and sunny setting, the island of Hawaii. The currency that will sell this film aside from George Clooney is the emotions it makes audience feel. You know a film is good when you laugh and cry along with its character.
Drive
Ryan Gosling makes men fall in love with him in his most bad ass role so far. He plays a driver-for-movies during the day and driver-for-outlaws by night. Although this film has all the makings of a great movie (great cast performance, directing, action sequence, drama) it might not meet the critics Best Picture tastes. Anyway there is still a Best Action Movie category.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
This movie is indeed extremely loud and incredibly close. Extremely loud emotions forced to the audience. Incredibly close to winning the Oscar (and incredibly close shots too). It stars young Thomas Horn who plays a kid who embarked on a journey to get close to his father, played by Tom Hanks, who was killed during 9/11. Tom Hanks in this film is amazing, that's a given. However, the surprise performance in this movie is Sandra Bullock, who plays the mother. Some says that it is an “Oscar bait' with all the obvious strong emotions that would surely jerk the tears of the viewers. This film received various reactions but all the same, it looks great and is moving.
The Help
What other kind of movies could make it to the award shows than a character based period piece? The Help is set on 1960' Jackson, Misisipi; the height of racial discrimination. Emma Stone plays a writer who befriends black women who served as maids for the white people and seeing these women abused, she tried to make a change and somehow became their voice. Thus the tagline, “change starts with a whisper”. The strong points of this movie are the compelling character, powerful story and the theme. They'll surely walk away with any costume related award and who knows, maybe the Best Picture too.
Hugo
It has been established with his previous films, Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest filmmakers ever. And Hugo is his current 3D masterpiece. People(including critics) loved this work of art because it is well written, well acted and of course well directed. This film is magic that would take you to back to your dreams as a child. It is not impossible for this movie to wave its wand and wow the critics with wonder.
Midnight in Paris
Owen Wilson gives a surprising performance as a quirky man who is transported to the 20's during the stroke of midnight and there he meets great artists. Woody Allen is a legendary writer, and this movie is a treat. It is an entertaining and thought provoking romantic comedy set in obviously, the lovely city of Paris. The screenplay is a huge attraction to this film along with the good performances. It is not impossible for critics to fall in love with it too.
Moneyball
Aaron Sorkin is an awesome writer and it has been proven that critics love his work. That alone is a hope that awards will come rolling there way. Moneyball is a sports story but somehow its not really a sports story. You've seen baseball movies before but this one is different. And this one has Brad Pitt on it. And Jonah Hill taking a time out of his funny roles. This movie received good reviews from both sports fan and not but will it win the votes of the critics?
The Tree of Life
Terrence Malick is well known for his unconventional film making. His films, you are not watching, you are actually pondering over them. The Tree of Life stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, if these three people involved wouldnt make this movie worth any award show nod, then what else? This film is more of a slideshow of the stafes of life presented in an almost hard to understand way. Yes, because it is a Terrence Malick.
War Horse
Are you a fan of war movies? Are you a fan of animals? Are you a fan of drama? Well Steven Spielberg put them all together in one great film. He ended up giving the audience a good story, well presented characters, a lovable horse and an even more lovable hero. He can move you with the stunning shots. He can entertain you with good sequencing. He can do a great movie. Afdter all, he is Steven Spielberg.
On the matter of which of the best, is the best, we will leave that up to you. We all have our own taste in movies. However, Hugo might be the big winner. We'll see when the 17th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards airs on January 12, 2012 on vH1.
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