best picture showcase 2009
This will be the third year in a row that Daniel, Scott, and I have gone to AMC’s Best Picture Showcase at the West Olive 16 in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Daniel’s girlfriend Erika, his buddy Chris, and Scott’s sister Tracey rounded out the group. They actually opened up 2 theaters for the showcase to accommodate more people.
The marathon started a half hour earlier this year and would end nearly an hour after last year’s ended. Surprisingly enough, the average runtime for this year’s nominees is shorter than last year’s. So why the long day? Longer breaks. They’ve accommodated at least a half hour between films to allow us moviegoers time to use the restrooms and get more food and drinks. Scott and I felt this was a mistake that would make for a very long day. But with nearly double the size of last year’s group, the lines during the breaks were lengthy. So I can see the need for the change. Scott and Tracey came very prepared this year; they packed a cooler of drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. Although I did buy a soda and a hot dog (total: $8.75), Scott was kind enough to split his gigantic sub sandwich with me (more than enough food).
Now about the films …
Milk – ***** – Gus Van Sant (Best Director nominee) tells the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office, and his fight for the civil rights of homosexuals in the mid to late 1970′s. Sean Penn (Best Actor nominee) is spectacular as Milk, and the supporting cast, including Josh Brolin (Best Supporting Actor nominee), Emile Hirsch, and James Franco, were phenomenal.
The Reader – **** – Set in post-WWII Germany, a teenager gets involved with and falls for an older woman (Kate Winslet, Best Actress nominee). Their affair ends suddenly, but years later at law school, the young man finds his former lover as the defendant in a war-crime trial. Fascinating story (although my proclamation on Twitter has prompted CL to ask me if Winslet’s naked in this film), but a lack of decisiveness, albeit vital to the story, cost it the final star.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – **** – Fantasy told in the same vein as “Forrest Gump”, with Brad Pitt (Best Actor nominee) in the title role. Based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it tells the tale of Button, a man who is born old and ages backward. Fine performances by Pitt, Taraji P. Henson (Best Supporting Actress nominee) as his adoptive mother, Cate Blanchett, and Tilda Swinton. Ironically, this was the longest film of the bunch, and a tad bit too long.
Slumdog Millionaire – **** – inspirational film about a teen from the slums of Mumbai who appears on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” with success, only to end up arrested on the suspicion of cheating. I enjoyed the storytelling, and the film’s soundtrack was loud and catchy. But for me, it didn’t live up to all the buzz.
Frost/Nixon – **** – Ron Howard’s retelling of the interviews David Frost did with Richard Nixon and the behind-the-scenes work that went into them. Frank Langella (Best Actor nominee) is superb as Nixon, and when he goes toe-to-toe with Michael Sheen’s Frost, it’s great to watch.
This year’s batch of films was somewhat a disappointment compared to the last few years. After having seen them, I felt 2 films were better than these and could easily have been on the list: WALL·E and The Dark Knight.
Having said that, who will win? Slumdog Millionaire.
Who do I think should win? Milk.
