A Mother's Love is Instinctual, Unconditional, and Forever.

98. Mother (Joon-ho Bong, 2009)















Since Bad Lieutenant was something from the previous version of this list I thought I should try and post this next, new addition, as soon as possible. Just three movies into the list and already two Korean movies (not to mention two from 2009), Mother being the fourth feature and most recent from Joon-ho Bong. Mother focuses on a widowed mother's determination to clear the name of her only son, a young mentally disabled man, who becomes the prime suspect in the case of a girl's brutal murder. Her blind conviction drives her to fight and climb over constant barriers to clear his name and find the real killer.

Though, like his other films, Mother is superb overall, the most notable factor is Hye-ja Kim's blistering performance. Her mad, obsessed, desperate determination is so forceful, so thick and developed, that it nearly seems to form its own texture. Easily one of the best performances of the decade, Kim is mesmerizing. The film plays out like the equivalent of a mother lifting a car off their new born baby with adrenaline filled power, there's a madness, a desperate strength that is at once extraordinary and even frightening.

As mysterious and suspenseful as Mother very much is the movie, like those in Park's vengeance trilogy, contains a thoughtfulness that takes it beyond a mere detective story to unravel the truth. Also like Park's vengeance films there is a moral ambiguity that grows out of revelations that unfold within the movie. Blinded by her adoration for her son the mother's actions become continuously more desperate as she attempts to uncover evidence for his acquittal. Mother is a modern mystery with many components that make up the recipe of such great films from the likes of the Alfred Hitchcock. Though there's a deep psychological edge to the film, it's thoroughly thrilling, and also often times can have a twisted comedic bite. It's suspenseful filmmaking at its best.

Films from 2009 on List:

Mother (Joon-ho Bong)
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (Werner Herzog)

NOBPD: The New Orleans Bedlam Police Department.

99. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (Werner Herzog, 2009)

Herzog's Bad Lieutenant is one of the handful of movies I posted last time I was making my way through this list and it's here again (though dropping slightly in position). Herzog's film is an oddity in that it's neither a sequel nor a remake of the 1992 film starring Harvey Keitel. It is instead a unique crazed madcap crooked cop collapse and an experience that could only come from Werner Herzog. Nicolas Cage plays Terrence McDonagh, a New Orleans cop during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Due to a back injury sustained freeing prisoners during flooding he eventually forms an addiction to pain medication which leads to other substances and snowballs into a bizarre life of depraved madness and corruptibility.

McDonagh is a prime example of one of Cage's madhouse performances, and even better yet it's one of the times that his unrestrained madness works wonders for the film. Like I said the last time I listed Bad Lieutenant it's like Herzog's control of the actor seems less like strict direction and more like he released a raving madman from an asylum and let him run rampant throughout the film. Though perhaps it's more so like Herzog pointed Cage in the general direction he wanted like a gun and fired him into battle. Even though Cage's lunacy is over the top and there are clearly parts where he attempts to develop an accent and other sections of the film where it's completely absent, he's all together fascinating, and it's impossible to look away.

Much like Herzog's collection of work there is of course other gears working beneath the surface and Herzog seems repeatedly interested in exploring the depths of a man's madness while also touching upon his other various philosophical ponderings. To finish this post I'll leave it off with much of the final paragraph of Bad Lieutenant's previous listing. A primary interesting aspect of the film is its time period and setting. The place and time are of course New Orleans following Katrina's devastation of the city. Crime has risen and authoritative justice has been tarnished and corrupted. The fact that McDonagh injures himself during the storm, which serves as the catalyst to his downfall into depravity is an important moment to note. McDonagh's only selfless act, saving a man from drowning, takes place before the after effects of the storm. The hurricane washes the filth from the cracks and rather than carrying them away brings them to the surface. We see the faults and imperfections of a part of the governing body, a section of the state designed to serve and protect doing the opposite, and these problems are naturally human imperfections with the men in a position of power, which could of course be present in any man.

Films from 2009 on List:

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (Werner Herzog)

10 Years, 100 Movies: The 2000s Redux.

I've been gone missing for what seems like ages and I never did finish this list. It's now been revived, refurbished, and is relatively ready for a reliable readership. I don't know how frequent these posts will be but hopefully I can keep things steady (and intelligible). This is going to most likely be a pretty short post but as I move up through the list I'll try to expand on things more and more provided my free time isn't diminished by more immediate responsibilities. Now enough of my rambling and let's jump right back into the thick things and begin with some rough attempts at movie speak.

100. Oldboy (Chan-wook Park, 2003)















The second film in Chan-wook Park's vengeance trilogy is the one that brought the greatest attention to the Korean director even narrowly missing out on Cannes Film Festival's Palm d'Or award. An American remake is even in the works with Spike Lee recently announced as its director. Oldboy follows Oh Dae-su, a man locked in a hotel room for fifteen years without any knowledge of the reasons behind his imprisonment. Upon his release he learns that he has five days to find his captor and discover those reasons for his forced hibernation, but he soon discovers that his imprisonment was just the first portion of his mysterious tormentor's plan for vengeance.

Though Park's films are plenty provocative they are not merely exercises in shock and like the first installment in the vengeance trilogy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Oldboy is structured as a compelling counter revenge thriller unraveling to a thoroughly shocking, taboo shaking conclusion. As the film unfolds there is a curious shifting balance between Oh Dae-su and his captor both becoming hardened yet tragic figures by the the movie's end.

Based on the handful of his film I have seen from the past decade, Park may be at the head of the pack of Korean talents that include the likes of Ki-duk Kim, Joon-ho Bong, and Jee-woon Kim (among others). Park's films from the 2000s, including his vengeance trilogy and others, pack the same kind of verve, energy, and dynamic visual presentation as some of the films from a young 1970s Martin Scorsese and are even becoming more sophisticated as time passes. Oldboy seems to be the first step towards that eventuality after the highly satisfying, yet inferior, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance as Park moves onwards to even greater things.

Films from 2003 on List:

Oldboy (Chan-wook Park)

Not Just an Illusion

The Illusionist (Sylvain Chomet, 2010)
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Sylvain Chomet's follow-up to the surprise Triplets of Belleville (2003) is the melancholy meditation on the rapidly growing modernization of the changing world and lifestyles, The Illusionist. Based on an unproduced script from famed French filmmaker Jacques Tati, The Illusionist follows an aging magician attempting to make ends meet despite the growing inevitable changes of the modernized world developing around him. His audience dwindles as rock groups begin to thrive, as people flock to more exciting forms of entertainment rather than those traditional charms offered by our protagonist's sleight of hand. The struggling illusionist befriends a young woman named Alice whose perspective compliments his own. She's young, naive, and idealistic, with innocent eyes in which to peer out upon the world. Perhaps in Alice the performer can see the last piece of child-like awe and fascination left in the world, opposed to fast paced excitement, fleeting trends, and commercial entertainment.

Like Chomet's previous film and the work of Jacques Tati the film is largely silent. There are small bits of dialogue spoken but none of it is very essential and much of it is difficult to understand. Chomet is, like Tati was, a visual storyteller. Though this time around, contrary to Triplets of Belleville, Chomet has crafted a much subtler film. Though populated by a few of its own odd characters it is not quite as eccentric a movie as Belleville. The music this time around also fits The Illusionist's softer tone. Wistful and sweet, it matches the movie's warm and inviting disposition. Much of Illusionist's beauty rests in its quiet and reflective moments. Not to say that Illusionist is all gloom, there's plenty of charm and sight gags too, in which some of the best involve the performer's uncooperative long eared stage assistant.

Though it may have a different atmosphere than Triplets of Belleville the movie does not differ in the quality of its animation. Visually it's simply breathtaking, capturing the beauty in even the simplest of locals, meaning in the smallest of gestures, and curious humor in ordinary occurrences. With its moderate pace, endearing characters, minimalistic storytelling, and bittersweet story The Illusionist is the kind of emotional film that sneaks up on you. Before someone is aware they are already under its spell, our hearts have been broken. Its poignancy comes with a painful yet touching price. It may not only be the best animated film of 2010, quite a feat considering it was released the same year as Pixar's third Toy Story movie, which closes the series in an almost equally cathartic fashion, it's also one of the best films of 2010 including the year's live action movies and one of my ten favorites of the year, ranking near the top.

The Divine Kings

The Road to El Dorado (Will Finn, Bibo Bergeron, and David Silverman, 2000)
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If The Prince of Egypt (1998) could be described as a poor man's Ben-Hur (1959) the movie Dreamworks made two years later, The Road to El Dorado (2000) can be summed up best as a poor man's The Man who Would be King (1975).

The movie follows two thieves named Tulio and Miguel who win (cheat) a map away from someone in a game of craps, they escape onto a ship, are captured, escape again, thrown about by an angry sea, and eventually end up on the very island and spot where their map begins. A bit convenient? Yup, but this story has to get going somehow I suppose. Then they stumble onto the lost city of El Dorado are mistaken for gods, plan to get away with the city's riches, and come into conflict with the city's strange customs and rituals, and ultimately learn and become better and less selfish people.

Again, I would say the best element of the movie is the animation itself. Just like Prince of Egypt it generally just looks really great. It disappoints me that Dreamworks seems like they are never returning to traditional looking animated films. Compared to The Prince of Egypt though, I just prefer this story to the other. Granted this is a lesser The Man who Would be King while The Prince of Egypt is a lesser Ben-Hur to a point, the choices Tulio and Miguel make feel more important because they are more in control of their decisions, they are men masquerading as gods rather than being instructed by one, which just makes them look like they have better character when they do the right thing in the end, just because it's more their choice to do it.

However, this doesn't mean The Road to El Dorado is an outstanding movie. Ultimately it feels like wasted potential. Some of the voice talent is very good. James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, and Kenneth Branagh are some great names to have on any film billing, but as big a soft spot I have for her, Rosie Perez's voice just doesn't work as a native. Though I suppose the rest of the voice talent for the natives is not authentic sounding, her voice still sticks out too noticeably. The first act of the movie is reasonably entertaining, engaging, and even pretty exciting and funny but when they get to the city the movie kind of just meanders around on screen. The two start to grow apart and there are hints that they are going to grow into better people and learn but generally this portion of the film just treads water until the end with its action set pieces. The final two action sequences are pretty satisfying as well as the need to escape the discovery by Cortez and his expedition.

Overall the film is decent. While it fails to be one of the best animated movies around it is for the most part very watchable, it has a marginally admirable lesson, the music is okay though again rather forgettable, and the animation is again like Prince of Egypt very good. I wish Dreamworks had not stopped animating movies in this way, especially considering how a lot of their CG animated films look like they lack a whole lot of visual personality.

The Divine Prince

I decided to include a new section dedicated to the handful of animated films I've seen somewhat recently and I'll also most likely use it to include some countdowns of Miyazaki, Pixar, and classic Disney.

The Prince of Egypt (Brenda Chapman and Steve Hickner, 1998)
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Dreamworks' The Prince of Egypt (1998) is of course the biblical story of Moses, baby in basket, adopted, burning bush, "set my people free", it's a pretty popular tale. The Dreamworks film reimaging of the tale focuses on Moses' growth into a young man and his gradual disconnection from his brother (who is a prince of Egypt by birth) and the bonds that become broken, sort of a Ben-Hur (1959) kinda thing.

I might as well get some criticisms out of the way first. First, I think the main thing I have trouble with the movie is pretty much the same thing I have a problem with the bible in general, God, especially in the Old Testament and this story, isn't that great of a guy. There is this monstrous act perpetrated by Moses' adopted father in the film where Moses finds out he had Israelite children killed, one of the main reasons he leaves the city, but God does the same thing later on in the movie but apparently Moses has no problem with it, though it's the plague that the film stresses the most significance on it is still glossed over rather quickly. It's one of my main problems with the story in general (and a lot of stories about the Christian god from the Old Testament in particular), plus if he has all this power why doesn't he just free these people himself? Instead of cause needless suffering, most of which of people who don't deserve it? To test one man's faith, Moses? or the people in general? All those Egyptian children he killed certainly weren't being tested because they have no choice anyway.

I would say the Ben-Hur thing is kind of just a rip off of...well Ben-Hur but to be honest those moments were some of the better parts of the film (same with Ben-Hur so I suppose it's there because it works). I'm much more interested in Moses the man than Moses the Hand of God and when I'm able to focus on those aspects of the movie I think it works rather well. Plus I find the idea that a figure like Moses comes to liberating these people by his will and character over being told by some authoritarian being a lot more inspiring and I'm thankful at times the film is still able to do this, plus build a pretty decent relationship with Moses and his brother, I actually feel for not only their love for each other, but for his brother, a surprisingly tragic figure and perhaps the best character in the movie. He's a man trapped by his own traditions and ultimately destroyed by them and unwillingness to adapt or accept something outside what's been imposed by the ways of his family.

The music I found to be a mixed bag, the score is generally pretty great while the lyrics and vocals of the songs can be rather forgettable. The overall voice acting and talent is pretty impressive and the animation, which is where the movie especially shines, is of course great. While perhaps I may not find the age old tale as beloved as some the film is for the most part continuously engaging and to its credit, I'd say nothing less than gorgeous. I don't think I'd persuade people away from The Prince of Egypt, but it isn't something for me. Press me and I'll give it some sort of arbitrary rating, but for now I don't think that's necessary since I don't see the weight in those kind of things. Should I have some sort of number or star rating system? I always feel those kind of things say so little.

Oscar Nomination Predictions

I believe in a week the nominees for last year's films will be released and I thought I'd throw together a prediction list for the biggest awards (acting, director, and picture). I haven't posted a lot lately, I plan on getting around and covering movies I've seen in the last few months as well as continue that list of movies from the 2000s. Though the list isn't as solid as it was when I started I feel it would be strange to stop part way through. So to compensate I thought I'd keep going and finish it and after post corrections, additions, and alterations. But without further delay here are my predictions for the nominees for the bigger awards this Oscar season (nominees listed alphabetically rather than preference or likelihood to win).




















Best Supporting Actor:

Andrew Garfield (The Social Network)
Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Geoffrey Rush (The King's Speech)
Jeremy Renner (The Town)
Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)

I would say Bale is a lock for a nomination with Ruffalo and Rush being more than likely. The buzz for Renner has died down since The Town's release though. Garfield sneaks in there and Timberlake has a slight chance since his presence at the Oscars would sure to boost ratings and I would be surprised if I didn't see The Social Network represented as fully as possible. John Hawkes from Winter's Bone has a chance of sneaking in there as well. I would assume Bale is the favorite to win but supporting is a nice race and I'd like to make better predictions once the nominees are actually released.

Best Supporting Actress:

Amy Adams (The Fighter)
Barbara Hershey (Black Swan)
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech)

The Actress nominees is a little tricky this year because of Hailee Steinfeld and the fact that her role in True Grit could put her in either supporting or lead. I've heard they've been pushing for lead but I don't see it going that way, especially after 2007 where Casey Affleck was nominated for supporting in a similar situation. I would say Steinfeld is a lead in the picture but her age and less than notable name recognition will drop her to supporting. Leo and Carter are strong locks and Adams seems very likely as well. Hershey sounds to me as the best bet to represent Black Swan though Kunis is likely as well. Hell I'd like to see Ryder represent Swan for supporting but prediction wise I'll have to go with Hershey. Which may be one of my bigger chances I'm taking since Jacki Weaver from Animal Kingdom has a good chance of filling that other supporting role. Leslie Manville from Mike Leigh's Another Year has a shot too but again I think it may come down to a supporting/lead actress issue. Plus there are a lot of other supporting actresses out there like The Kids Are All Right's Julianne Moore.

Best Actor:

Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
James Franco (127 Hours)
Jeff Bridges (True Grit)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine)

Can't see Firth, Franco, and Eisenberg missing out this year. Gosling is pretty likely too. Bridges may be knocked out by Robert Duvall for Get Low. It could easily go either way.

Best Actress:

Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone)
Leslie Manville (Another Year)
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)

Bening and Portman are good locks and Lawrence is highly likely. Kidman is an academy favorite and Rabbit Hole is already going to be underrepresented. And with Manville, again it's a big factor whether her or Steinfeld are put in supporting or leading categories. Plus Michelle Williams is nipping at their heals from Blue Valentine and Hilary Swank, another academy favorite, is sporting a rather conventional but appreciated performance from Conviction. I would find it interesting to see Swank steal a nomination from Manville or Kidman just so Bening could finally win the award over her after losing out twice in the past.

Best Director:

Christopher Nolan (Inception)
Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
David Fincher (The Social Network)
Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit)
Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)

There are a few people who could sneak in here though Fincher is a lock and probably Aronofsky as well. Hooper and Nolan are highly likely. David O. Russell could sneak in there for The Fighter or Danny Boyle could for 127 Hours.

Best Picture:

Black Swan
Inception
The Fighter
The Kids Are All Right
The King's Speech
The Social Network
The Town
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter's Bone

127 Hours is the big name that could knock one of these guys out. The Town and Winter's Bone are probably the main ones that could lose a spot. There are a few other films like Another Year, Blue Valentine, and Rabbit Hole but after 127 Hours I can't see it happening. If The Ghost Writer had come out in November instead of the beginning of the year it would be fighting for one of those wild card spots as well. Though there is always the chance they could pull a Blind Side like they did last year and nominate some purely crowd pleasing film though I would like to think a number of these nominees already satisfy that urge (Inception, The Fighter, The Social Network, The Town, and Toy Story 3). More importantly I think this year has a very solid list of nominations. There isn't a single movie I've seen from those ten that I disliked overall and I could name at least 3 from last year that were more than disappointing to see receive nominations for awards.

I've also been thinking about throwing together a list of my favorite 10 or 20 movies from last year though there are still a few priority things I want to see like 127 Hours, Another Year, Blue Valentine and Rabbit Hole. I have seen all the likely Best Picture nominations so far except Winter's Bone at least. Hopefully I'll be able to see most of my priority movies in the next couple weeks.