Tagged with the descendants

Putting Out the Fires: Oscars 2012 Aftermath

Putting Out the Fires: Oscars 2012 Aftermath

Well, the ceremony’s done, the statues have all been given out, and noses have been browned; the 84th Academy Awards are now in the books. And I have an opinion on them even though I didn’t even watch them. I don’t know that there should be much surprise in regards to what won and why. The … Continue reading

Golden Statues and Outrage: The Oscar Nominations

Golden Statues and Outrage: The Oscar Nominations

This week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the entries for each of their twenty four categories in anticipation of this year’s 84th Academy Awards show. As is always the case, response among critics and film writers has been mixed, characterized by raised eyebrows, occasional high praise and pleasant surprise, and most … Continue reading

2011: Retrospective, Honors, & ACVF’s Top 15 (Pt.2)

2011: Retrospective, Honors, & ACVF’s Top 15 (Pt.2)

We’re almost there– it’s down to the final ten. Starting with: 10) 13 Assassins: “While the plot that subsequently comes together falls within the bailiwick typical to most men-on-a-mission films as Shinzaemon collects his chosen warriors– a motley crew of samurai ranging in age and experience, which eventually also comes to include a hunter (Yusuke … Continue reading

Review: The Descendants, 2011, dir. Alexander Payne

Review: The Descendants, 2011, dir. Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne strikes me as the sort of person who’s incapable of making a bad film. Limited body of work aside, critical success is critical success (which is to say nothing of Payne’s commercial victories in Sideways and About Schmidt), and with his darkly satirical examinations of contemporary American culture Payne has established for himself … Continue reading