Guest column
Oscar Wild!
By Beth Antal Report analyst, Strongsville
Sunday marked the 89th Academy Awards, complete with an M. Knight Shyamalan twist ending! All that business aside, here comes my very brief rundown of my “Oscar Wild!” film opinions, as a regular, old Strongsville lady.
La La Land (Nom:14 Wins:7…wait…6): Grease was my first theater experience and My Fair Lady was my first love. This was bound to be my top movie of 2017. It’s the unoriginal story of a small town girl with big time dreams, told in a completely fresh and modern way that charmed the pants off me. It’s layered, complex and intense while keeping it simple and totally honest. The music was cool and the chemistry was hot. Should you see it (SYSI)? Does the Rain in Spain Stay Mainly in the Plain? I think you’ve got it.
Moonlight (Noms:8 Wins:3): Moonlight moved me into unfamiliar, uncomfortable territory, and I cherished the complex experience. The movie follows a child from boy to teen to adulthood as he fumbles with the adjectives assigned to him. Whether it’s poor, black, gay or victim, it’s the struggle against falling into stereotypes and staying true to the person in your heart. SYSI? Yes. And I want 500 words on empathy by next week.
Manchester by the Sea (Noms:6 Wins:2): At first, I thought this movie was trying to protect me from its emotional gut punches with its deceptively soothing nature (like when they told me Chico went to “live on a farm.”) But, I was wrong. It is a master class in contrast, pitting anguish against a quiet setting and simple New England dialogue. It gives us a taste of what it feels like to exist after a heart amputation. SYSI? Yes, but hug your kids and put a screen on the fireplace before you go.
Arrival (Noms:8 Wins:1): This is story of a linguist who has to communicate with our first alien visitors in order to delicately discover their intentions. From elements of language to concepts of memory, time and cynical relationships, it’ll quietly toy with your reality. Now, I wish I liked Amy Adams, but I just don’t. I know that’s unpopular, like saying, “I don’t like LuLaRoe,” but I sleep just fine. SYSI? Yes. Despite her.
Hacksaw Ridge (Noms:6 Wins:2): The heroic story of a man who serves his country by saving lives, not taking them. It was important and inspiring, but just wasn’t my thing. I spent most of the movie with my face in a scarf, avoiding all the guts and viscera. It did have a sweet romantic element, a few fun jump scares, and an amazing Andrew Garfield performance, but I’m just not a fan of exposed intestines. SYSI? Well, to succumb to gender norms, my husband loved it. Yours probably will, too.
Hell or High Water (Noms:4 Wins:0): This movie has Chris Pine. Go see it. Haha… This film didn’t get a lot of buzz, but pleasantly surprised me! It’s a delightful “stick it to the man” bank heist film that gets pretty serious, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you love irreverent jokes and your right to say them, you’ll come away from this movie pretty darn satisfied. SYSI? Are Chris Pines’ eyes the color of heaven? Yes.
Hidden Figures (Noms:3 Wins:0): Thank God for these brave, intelligent women whose skills helped America get into space. But, was it elite or Oscar-worthy? Maybe. I wonder if the story and their struggle was sterilized or sugar-coated, to be more palatable for movie-goers. I’ve done the work/student/mom/wife thing and my situation was usually hovering just above DEFCON 2. Nevertheless, these women persisted. SYSI? Duh! Bring your mom.
Fences (Noms:4 Wins:1): Fences is a movie in three acts with zero action. Denzel, playing a powerful and captivating juggernaut, puts his marriage to Viola Davis in jeopardy with his twisted sense of self-importance. It was a raw and emotional movie that left me somewhat cold and angry. However, Viola Davis earned every ounce of gold in that statue. SYSI? Netflix.
Lion (Noms:6 Wins:0): Lion is the story of an Indian boy tragically and frighteningly separated from his family. He’s adopted by an Australian couple, but his memories are cruel ghosts that he can’t silence… or ignore. This film started with epic promise and ended pretty great, but droned on in the middle . SYSI? Maybe if you’ve got a half-off coupon, because you’ll be bored 50 percent of the time.
Till next year, friends!
Sunday marked the 89th Academy Awards, complete with an M. Knight Shyamalan twist ending! All that business aside, here comes my very brief rundown of my “Oscar Wild!” film opinions, as a regular, old Strongsville lady.
La La Land (Nom:14 Wins:7…wait…6): Grease was my first theater experience and My Fair Lady was my first love. This was bound to be my top movie of 2017. It’s the unoriginal story of a small town girl with big time dreams, told in a completely fresh and modern way that charmed the pants off me. It’s layered, complex and intense while keeping it simple and totally honest. The music was cool and the chemistry was hot. Should you see it (SYSI)? Does the Rain in Spain Stay Mainly in the Plain? I think you’ve got it.
Moonlight (Noms:8 Wins:3): Moonlight moved me into unfamiliar, uncomfortable territory, and I cherished the complex experience. The movie follows a child from boy to teen to adulthood as he fumbles with the adjectives assigned to him. Whether it’s poor, black, gay or victim, it’s the struggle against falling into stereotypes and staying true to the person in your heart. SYSI? Yes. And I want 500 words on empathy by next week.
Manchester by the Sea (Noms:6 Wins:2): At first, I thought this movie was trying to protect me from its emotional gut punches with its deceptively soothing nature (like when they told me Chico went to “live on a farm.”) But, I was wrong. It is a master class in contrast, pitting anguish against a quiet setting and simple New England dialogue. It gives us a taste of what it feels like to exist after a heart amputation. SYSI? Yes, but hug your kids and put a screen on the fireplace before you go.
Arrival (Noms:8 Wins:1): This is story of a linguist who has to communicate with our first alien visitors in order to delicately discover their intentions. From elements of language to concepts of memory, time and cynical relationships, it’ll quietly toy with your reality. Now, I wish I liked Amy Adams, but I just don’t. I know that’s unpopular, like saying, “I don’t like LuLaRoe,” but I sleep just fine. SYSI? Yes. Despite her.
Hacksaw Ridge (Noms:6 Wins:2): The heroic story of a man who serves his country by saving lives, not taking them. It was important and inspiring, but just wasn’t my thing. I spent most of the movie with my face in a scarf, avoiding all the guts and viscera. It did have a sweet romantic element, a few fun jump scares, and an amazing Andrew Garfield performance, but I’m just not a fan of exposed intestines. SYSI? Well, to succumb to gender norms, my husband loved it. Yours probably will, too.
Hell or High Water (Noms:4 Wins:0): This movie has Chris Pine. Go see it. Haha… This film didn’t get a lot of buzz, but pleasantly surprised me! It’s a delightful “stick it to the man” bank heist film that gets pretty serious, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you love irreverent jokes and your right to say them, you’ll come away from this movie pretty darn satisfied. SYSI? Are Chris Pines’ eyes the color of heaven? Yes.
Hidden Figures (Noms:3 Wins:0): Thank God for these brave, intelligent women whose skills helped America get into space. But, was it elite or Oscar-worthy? Maybe. I wonder if the story and their struggle was sterilized or sugar-coated, to be more palatable for movie-goers. I’ve done the work/student/mom/wife thing and my situation was usually hovering just above DEFCON 2. Nevertheless, these women persisted. SYSI? Duh! Bring your mom.
Fences (Noms:4 Wins:1): Fences is a movie in three acts with zero action. Denzel, playing a powerful and captivating juggernaut, puts his marriage to Viola Davis in jeopardy with his twisted sense of self-importance. It was a raw and emotional movie that left me somewhat cold and angry. However, Viola Davis earned every ounce of gold in that statue. SYSI? Netflix.
Lion (Noms:6 Wins:0): Lion is the story of an Indian boy tragically and frighteningly separated from his family. He’s adopted by an Australian couple, but his memories are cruel ghosts that he can’t silence… or ignore. This film started with epic promise and ended pretty great, but droned on in the middle . SYSI? Maybe if you’ve got a half-off coupon, because you’ll be bored 50 percent of the time.
Till next year, friends!