The LA critics have weighed in with their picks for the years best films and performances. Let’s just get right to it.
BEST PICTURE: BOYHOOD
Smart choice Los Angelenos. This is the biggest achievement in filmmaking in some time and it needs all the recognition in can get. A bit of a surprise came when The Grand Budapest Hotel was named the runner-up. I’m happy this film is getting named in the same breath as Boyhood for Best Picture, a real achievement for a film released in March. Good films can come out at anytime and still get awards. Boyhood also took the award for Editing and The Grand Budapest Hotel came in second again. I don’t think either of these films were the best at editing, I think that’s Whiplash or perhaps Edge of Tomorrow.
BEST DIRECTOR: RICHARD LINKLATER for BOYHOOD
The best movie is usually directed by the best director and the critics here decided not to split the prizes. I think this is well deserved as Linklater’s film career really culminates with Boyhood. The runner-up also didn’t deviate with Wes Anderson getting recognition. I would say Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu got snubbed here. He’s the only one I think can swoop in and take this prize at the Oscars.
BEST SCREENPLAY: WES ANDERSON for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Here is where Anderson jumped from runner up to winner. Inarritu then vaulted into the runner up spot. This was a tight screenplay that gave the actors room to work their magic in Anderson’s playhouse. Terrific work. The movie also won for Production Design which is a lock I feel.
BEST ACTOR: TOM HARDY for LOCKE
This is a big surprise. Hardy hadn’t been mentioned in awards circles yet, though this will get his name out there for further consideration. I haven’t had a chance to see this film yet, but it’s now vaulted up to the top of my to see list. The runner-up was Michael Keaton who is a favorite. Hardy is a very interesting actor. Checking out Locke very, very soon.
BEST ACTRESS: PATRICIA ARQUETTE for BOYHOOD
Another big win for Boyhood. She is the emotional center of the film and hugely deserving of the award. Julianne Moore got named runner-up for Still Alice. I don’t know anything about that film but it is on my must see list coming up.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: AGATA KULESZA for IDA
BEST FOREIGN FILM: IDA
I just reviewed this film, see here: https://midwestmovieman.wordpress.com/2014/12/02/ida-foreign-film-spotlight/
I focused more on the leading actress role but the supporting work done was excellent as well. Always a bit of a surprise when a foreign film wins in an acting category, but if it brings more eyes to watch the great film Ida then more power to her. Ida also won Best Foreign Film. Rene Russo came in second for Nightcrawler and she was really great in that movie, though obviously overshadowed by Jake Gyllenhaal.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: J.K. SIMMONS for WHIPLASH
With Ed Norton being the runner-up for Birdman this is slowly becoming the most predictable category. These two will duke it out over the coming months but I think Simmons comes out on top.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: EMMANUEL LUBEZKI for BIRDMAN
Lubezki won the Oscar for this last year for Gravity and it’s a well deserved win in a precursor award this year as well. Chivo’s sweeping cinematography and the faux One Take film were painstakingly crafted and shot. Easy win here. Dick Pope (that’s a real name) came in second for Mr. Turner.
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Citizenfour
Citizenfour is beginning to run away with this category. The subject matter is a favorite for voters and it’s a terrific film that delves deep into Snowden’s revealing the country’s internal spy tactics. The Roger Ebert bio-doc Life Itself came in as runner up. Either could win awards going forward.
BEST MUSIC SCORE: TIE; JONNY GREENWOOD for INHERENT VICE and MICA LEVI for UNDER THE SKIN
Greenwood is branching out well into film scores from his day job in Radiohead and I can’t wait to see Inherent Vice though the soundtrack seems more driven by period 70’s music. The score for Under the Skin was creepily unnerving and deserves recognition. I hope it gets nominations going forward.
BEST ANIMATION: THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA
I would’ve preferred Japanese animation to win things last year with The Wind Rises and for the runner up here, The Lego Movie to take the prize here. I’m confident moving forward that The Lego Movie‘s popularity will propel it to wins.
midwestmovieman 