Son of Double Feature’s 2009 Oscar Picks (Part 2 of 2)

As promised, the other half of my Oscar predictions.

Best Documentary Feature
The Betryal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water

And the Winner Is… Man on Wire
My Reasoning: I have not seen any of these, so I’m totally guessing.

Best Documentary Short Subject
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness – From the Balcony of Room 306

And the Winner Is… The Final Inch
My Reasoning: I have not seen any of these, so I’m totally guessing.

Achievement in Film Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millioniare

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: This is where, as usual, one movie begins to dominate.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
The Baader Meinhof Complex
The Class
Departures
Revanche
Waltz With Bashir

And the Winner Is… Revanche
My Reasoning: I have not seen any of these, so I’m totally guessing.

Achievement in Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

And the Winner Is… The Dark Knight
My Reasoning: I find that new technique they did for the scars for the Joker to be particularly intriguing, and I imagine the makeup community to be equally intrigued. Otherwise, Hellboy II?

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumgdog Millionaire
Wall-E

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: I think the Bollywood vibe will push it over the top here.

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
Wall-E "Down to Earth"
Slumdog Millionaire"Jai Ho"
Slumdog Millionaire "O Saya"

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: Peter Gabriel might get this, but, in all seriousness, odds are better.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: This thing has mad hype going for it. However, Frost/Nixon might pull a surprise.

Best Animated Short Film
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory - Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up

And the Winner Is… Presto
My Reasoning: Hilarious.

Best Live Action Short Film
Auf Der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

And the Winner Is… New Boy
My Reasoning: I have not seen any of these, so I’m totally guessing.

Achievement in Sound Editing
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumgdog Millionaire
Wall-E
Wanted

And the Winner Is… The Dark Knight
My Reasoning: Unfortunately, the most likely places for the Academy to honor this movie.

Achievement in Sound Mixing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
Wanted

And the Winner Is… The Dark Knight
My Reasoning: See Sound Editing.

Achievement in Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

And the Winner Is… Iron Man
My Reasoning: Iron Man had the best special effects of the three. ‘Nuff said.

Adapted Screenplay
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: I’m expecting this movie to have quite a bit of sweeping power.

Original Screenplay
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
Wall-E

And the Winner Is… Milk
My Reasoning: I imagine this is where Milk is going to get its honors. I am excited to see an animated film up there, however.

Tune in to the Oscars to see how wrong I am, or how right you are, and you can rub it in my face.

Son of Double Feature’s 2009 Oscar Picks (Part 1 of 2)

Like most examples of consensus groupthink I am usually displeased by the results/nominees for the Oscars, and find them to bias period dramas and melodramas over things like, for example, comedy.

That being said, these are my picks/predictions for the 2009 Oscars. Unfortunately, this is real long, so I’ve split it in half to save some space. The other results will be posted on Friday.

“Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role”
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

And the Winner Is… Frank Langella
My Reasoning: Underdog Mickey Rourke and likely favorite Sean Pean will split the vote, allowing safer choice Langella to sweep away that naked gold man.

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

And the Winner Is… Heath Ledger
My Reasoning: Well, because A) he really made the performance of a lifetime in that movie, the kind of jaw-dropping acting that only occurs once in a great while. B) he has additional sympathy due to his tragic death, but I really think, based on merit alone, he deserves this.

If anyone else wins, expect them to mention Heath in their acceptance speech.

Also, any other year, I would have given this to Downey. Go and watch Tropic Thunder, he’s the only consistent part in it.

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

And the Winner Is… Kate Winslet
My Reasoning: Jolie is, for sure, the underdog here. The three strongest contenders are Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Kate Winslet. I would not be surprised to see any of them walking away with the award. Meryl Streep won the SAG award, but Winslet won for this film in a supporting role, and the Golden Globe. Winslet has also created so much momentum and buzz around this performance it’ll probably push her over the edge.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marissa Tomei, The Wrestler

And the Winner Is… Viola Davis
My Reasoning: Marisa Tomei and Amy Adams are also likely choices, but I think Viola Davis is probably going to take this one in the end.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

And the Winner Is… Kung-Fu Panda
My Reasoning: Pixar can typically make off with this award no questions, but there’s some actual tough competition here. Kung-Fu Panda is probably the best Dreamworks animated film so far, barring, perhaps, the original Shrek. I liked Wall-E a lot, but I’m not sure if the Academy will go for it too. I’m expecting Kung-Fu Panda to be a bit of a spoiler here for those expecting a Wall-E victory. Bolt’s lackluster box-office is probably going to hurt it here.

Achievement in Art Direction
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

And the Winner Is… The Duchess
My Reasoning: Goddamn some boring nominees this year, although the Dark Knight had some interesting choices with design (particularly with the Joker,) I don’t think it was exceptional. The Duchess is a safe bet here.

Achievement in Cinematography
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Winner Is… The Dark Knight
My Reasoning: …But I would not be surprised if Slumdog Millioniare surprised people here.

Achievement in Costume Design
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road

And the Winner Is… The Duchess
My Reasoning: This is exactly why I dislike period dramas.

Achievement in Directing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

And the Winner Is… Slumdog Millionaire
My Reasoning: A lot of great directors here who deserve some recognition. David Fincher is due for some recogntion, and Ron Howard is an academy favorite. Oh, and Gus Van Zant too (I’m sorry, I still hold a grudge for having to sit through Elephant and Last Days.) But I think Danny Boyle will take this one.

Morbo Says...

Morbo says: HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SON OF DOUBLE FEATURE! GOOD NIGHT!

A Five Year Old Me Picks His Top Five Movies

This handsome young 5-year-old lad is named Derek, I have picked him out from the far-flung past of 1990.

“Wow, I have cool glasses in the future! Is it the Jetson’s yet?”

Give it a few years, 5-year-old Derek.

“Do I have a pet robot?”

No, but we all have phones in our pockets.

“Radical, dude!”

So, I have brought you here to talk about your five favorite movies of all time. Are you okay with that?

“Will you help me spell stuff?”

Of course.

The Top Five Movies of All Time
By Derek Domike (Age 5)

5. The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh (Lounsbery and Reitherman, 1977)


“Pooh is a silly old bear. I love this part where Rabbit is redecorating his hole and he…” laughing “…he puts sticks on Pooh’s butt like antlers! And he draws a face on it and everything! How silly is that?!”



4. Batman (Hefti, 1966)



“Batman doesn’t let the bad guys get away with anything. He helps out people in trouble even though he doesn’t have superpowers or anything. And he’s friends with Robin. In this one Batman and Robin have to fight The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, and Catwoman. In one part Catwoman disguises herself as a reporter and Batman can’t tell its her. And there’s this submarine shaped like a penguin. And the Batcopter, and the Batboat, and the Bat-Motorcycle. It’s pretty much the best movie ever, except for the other movies here.”

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Barron, 1990)


“Donatello’s my favorite. He does machines. Also, he likes pizza.”

2. Gremlins 2: The New Batch (Dante, 1990)



“I like the one who talks funny. He says ‘Ah the apple, the city so nice they named it twice. Check it out von time von’t you.’ And there’s all kinds of monster gremlins, like one made out of vegetables (scary,) and one that are bats or spiders or made of electricity. They’re scary, but Gizmo’s nice.”

1. The Adventures of Milo and Otis (Hata, 1986)



“I have watched this movie over 100 times I bet. My favorite part is when they’re on the farm and having a good time. It gets kind of scary after that, though. This might not be for little little kids, like my brothers.”



“They don’t like it very much.”

“Is that good, old Derek?”

I’m not that old.

“Yes you are.”

Okay, maybe I am.

Top 11 11 Word Movie Reviews

I write the 11 Word Movie Reviews blog; speaks for itself.

With 100 posts written daily since I first started, I wanted to cap off this event with my 11 favorite reviews I’ve done so far. A lot of them are historic firsts, at least in terms of that blog.

11. September 1st, 2008
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (Kidron, 1995)

This one speaks for itself. I don’t know why I decided to use this cult drag movie as my first review, other than the self-contained fact of John Leguizamo’s ability to work it. I immediately followed with reviews of Gremlins 2 (one of my favorite movies) and Disturbia (closer to the “least favorite” end of the spectrum.)

10. September 14th, 2008
Norbit (Robbins, 2007)

I saw Norbit for a dollar and still wanted my money back. This is my first “Alternate” review.

9.September 5th and September 6th, 2008
Flintstones (Levant,1994) and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas! (Levant, 2000)

My first multi-part review, referencing a previous review.

8.October 7th, 2008
Batman (Burton, 1988)

Arguably the review I’ve had the hardest time with getting in 11 words, but I am very pleased with the results.

7.October 28th, 2008
Air Force One (Petersen 1997)

My first link to a youtube video in a post. And it’s true. He wants you off his plane.

6.November 16th, 2008
The Pacifier (Shankman, 2005)

If only for the Suburban Commando reference.

5.October 13th, 2008

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Lucas, 1999)

My first link to a Son of Double Feature article, my Bizarro-review of Episode I.

4. November 15th, 2008
Willow (Howard, 1988)

Mixes both alternative reviews, a variation of Morbo, and also, an awesome movie.

3.October 5th, 2008
Austin Powers in Goldmember (Roach 2002)

Take that, John Travolta.

2.September 27th, 2008
Juno (Reitman, 2007)

My feelings for Juno are well documented. But also the first appearance of my favorite reoccurring device: the frame of Morbo of Futurama, yelling whatever I can’t. Thanks Morbo, for screaming when I can’t.

1.December 8th, 2008
Planet of the Apes (Schafnerr, 1968)

My 100th post in the blog, and, actually, my favorite. Are the best yet to come, or have I jumped the proverbial shark?


YOU ARE DOING FINE, DEREK!

Thank you Morbo.


I WILL DESTROY YOU!

Morbo means he loves you.

I love you too, Morbo.

Happy Thanksgiving from Son of Double Feature!

Son of Double Feature’s No on Prop 8! Homoerot-athon

I apologize to those California readers who might have seen ads on this blog (and its sister blog 11 Word Movie Reviews) advocating a Yes vote on Proposition 8. For those unaware, Proposition 8 is a measure here advocating the elimination of gay couples’ right to marry in California.

I don’t typically want to make this blog a soapbox for my political ideals, but I’ll make an exception here. I’m requesting the ads be removed. This is not just because I support gay marriage (in the context of a civil union, primarily, I don’t think it’s the state’s obligation to tell churches what they can and can’t do, but that’s hardly the point,) but because I believe this proposition is extremely discriminatory. Even if it does pass, however, I fully expect the State Supreme Court to overturn it. These same people want to defend their personal rights (like gun ownership,) while trampling on the rights of others (like abortion and gay marriage.)

Furthermore, to pretty much mock and defy the Yes on Prop 8 ads, and in solidarity of those LGBT folks out there to show I do not personally support this anti-gay marriage position (which is what Prop 8 boils down to,) I have here a list of four of my favorite gay and lesbian (or, at the very least, same sex) kisses.

4. Gandhi and Abe Lincoln
Clone High USA, Episode 3, “A.D.D.: The Third D stands for ‘Disorder.’”


Clone High USA was one of my favorite shows on MTV for its brief tenure in 2003, before being cancelled for Punk’d. The premise follows a Dawson’s Creek-esque high school populated by the clones of famous historical figures (the core cast was Abe Lincoln, Gandhi, Joan of Arc, Cleopatra, and JFK.) In this episode, Gandhi has been diagnosed with A.D.D., which the student body assumes is AIDS, and thus, shun Gandhi, fearing him to be contagious. After a message from special guest and ADD sufferer Tom Green (“Look a Ferris Wheel! I can make a muscle! Plastic bag, plastic bag! Plastic bag, plastic bag!”) Abe shows Gandhi is not contagious by kissing him. Which, of course, this being high school, makes him shunned more than Gandhi for his homoerotic gesture.

3. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring
Mullholland Dr (Lynch, 2001)



I don’t get much out of David Lynch movies, other than wondering what exactly I was supposed to get out of them. But, what I primarily remember from this movie (other than the bizarre cowboy interlude near the end) was this scene. This is probably because I’m a heterosexual male (I’m apologizing in advance for my #1 choice, as well.)

2. Gabriel Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna
Y Tu Mama Tambien (Cuarón, 2001)


Which is Spanish for “and your mother, also.”

Alfonso Cuarón is one of the great new Spanish-language filmmakers (although I wracked my brain to try to find some same-sex pairings in a Guillermo Del Toro picture.) This movie has some really intense love scenes in it, but, it’s the film’s climatic same-sex kiss that made its way on to the countdown.

1. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair
Cruel Intentions (1997)



I apologize for being a male. If you ask any guy who came of age (especially who hit puberty right around this time) they will not only have fond memories of this scene but, likely, wore out the tape or scratched the DVD with repeated rewatchings (I did not own it on tape or DVD, but I have friends who definitely did.) It’s relatively tame by our contemporary semi-acceptance of female bisexuality (what with Ant-headed Tila Tequila’s “A Shot at Love” dating show on MTV, and future one-hit wonder Katie Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” Not to mention the seeming ancient history of Madonna and Britney Spears locking lips at the MTV Video music awards.) And, although lesbian kissing not exactly being a new thing, this was the scene that many people my age will likely remember.

In short, I doubt any google ads will sway you, and I also doubt I’ve done little to help either. But, for those of you in California who want to preserve the right for everyone to get married, vote NO on Prop 8!

Sorry for that, this blog is more about movies less about ideology; I swear this will (hopefully) never happen again.