Oscar 2012 Documentary Shorts

It seems like documentaries are supposed to be sad films about tragic circumstances. This year's selections of documentary shorts have sad subjects but with the additional uplifting addition of triumph of the human spirit. The Barber of Birmingham:Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement, is about Mr. James Armstrong who was a barber from 1955 until his passing in 2009. He owned a USA flag that he carried in all the civil rights marches in Birmingham; God is the Bigger Elvis, is the story of Delores Hart who starred in films with Elvis Presley among others then changed careers to become a Benedictine nun in 1963; Incident in Baghdad, is about one soldier's reflection about the 2007 killings of unarmed reporters and civilians; Saving Face, is about women in Pakistan who are burned by acid and the surgeon who tries to help restore their image and life; The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom, is about the devastation from the Japanese earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 contrasted to a cherry tree that has survived over 1000 years. Besides God is the bigger Elvis which was not viewed (thanks Sundance and the Oscars), they are all moving accounts of the way humans can overcome most anything. I would have to give the edge to Saving Face as the most inspirational and compelling story of what can happen when individuals, community and government work together to benefit us all. Two un-burned thumbs up. Political side note (used to these at the Oscars): those three working together sounds like fiction in this tumultuous time in Wisconsin and the nation but hopefully some day we will realize that the only thing that happens in a pissing contest is both sides get wet with nothing else accomplished.

Oscar 2012 Animated Short films

This year, some of the animated shorts that received honorable mentions instead of nominations were better than some of the nominated films. Overall, I would say this year's selections were sub-par compared to previous years. The nominated movies were: Dimanche/Sunday, about a typical Sunday in a small town that had no point to it and was a waste of a nomination; The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which was about a boy who is obsessed with writing his book but is distracted by flying books; La Luna, which is a Disney/Pixar film about three generations of fisherman who climb a ladder to the moon; A Morning Stroll, is based on a true story about a chicken who went on a daily stroll; and Wild Life, about an Englishman who travels to Canada to become a cowboy and writes letters home based on fiction more than reality. I would have to say La Luna and Fantastic Flying Books... were the only two that deserve their nomination for interesting story and watchable animation. I choose The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore mainly because as an aspiring author, it appealed to my heart along with the enjoyment of the movie.

Oscar 2012 Live Action Short Films

Five unique films are nominated this year for Live Action Short films. We have the Football (soccer to the USA) obsessed alter boy in Pentecost, a story about children being kidnapped and then sold as orphans to unsuspecting parents in foreign countries in Raju, A story about friends in Ireland who are estranged and then reunite in The Shore, A young man who's life is turned upside down because of a time machine that he built in Time Freak, and a dying man in Norway trying to reach his estranged brother across the Atlantic in America in Tuba Atlantic. They all had funny moments and they all had surprise endings. Short films are amazing in the quality of writing, acting and directing in such a short span of time. These were all enjoyable but my favorite has to be The Shore because it was the most interesting, well-rounded story of the group.

Midnight In Paris

Paris is this reviewer's dream city. The elegance of the Eiffel tower majestically pointing toward the heavens. Then add in the main character being an aspiring author who travels into the past to converse with classic authors like Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway and Cole Porter among others. Owen Wilson plays the aspiring author, Gill with an obviously different attitude than his typical comedic performances. This is a very enjoyable movie which in my opinion could have been great. It seemed like some of the classic authors stories were glossed over and Gil's relationship with Inez (Rachel McAdams) was important but Inez's character wasn't fully developed. I give Midnight In Paris two thumbs up while typing your potential best-seller as you sit in a cafe on the Champs Elysees looking up at the Eiffel tower.

The Iron Lady

OK, so Meryl Streep seems to be nominated every time she acts in something but don't hate her because she is good. Like or not, please respect the talent. Meryl immerses herself into every role which she performs and does it with style, grace and humility. This movie is no exception. Meryl brings the political and personal life of Margaret Thatcher to the screen. The love story between Margaret and Denis Thatcher (Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent) is so beautiful. I can only hope that my own marriage stays as beautiful. This movie resembles the tumultuous political climate of Wisconsin and puts an interesting spin on both sides of the issues. I would also be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the wonderful acting of Alexandra Roach who plays the young Margaret Thatcher. The visually pleasing camera angles and filming of director Philipa Lloyd (previously directing Streep in the enjoyable Mamma Mia) are also a wonder to behold. I give this two thumbs up for peaking an interest in history and homage to a humble woman from New Jersey excellently portraying English royalty.

The War Horse

As I sit down to watch this movie, I see the credit: based on the book by Michael Morpurgo. I think to myself, oh great another book to read (too many books not enough time). Well the movie was so well done that it made me want to read the book unlike some other movies-The Kite Runner-but I digress. The book is told from the horses point-of-view and beautifully written, intriguing story it was; just like the movie which lived up to the book's reputation. A few people are nervous to see the movie because it is sad or because the horse gets hurt SPOILER ALERT: the horse doesn't die so IMO get over it. Life is full of hurt, sorrow and regret and what matters is how we deal with it and more importantly rise above it. The tag line says it all: Separated by war, Tested by battle, Bound by friendship. This is truly what it is all about. Without friendship whether amongst family, friends or friendliness to acquaintances, where would we be--in a life I wouldn't want to live! The story is moving and I did cry but in an inspirational way. The film-making also lives up to the wonderful Spielberg reputation as well. The story was a bit predictable but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the movie. I give this two thumbs up for the connection between horse and owner which is too often missing in this society too often concerned with bickering and overpowering others.