2016 Academy Award Winners

"I'm here at the Academy Awards - otherwise known as the White People's Choice Awards.". Chris Rock was on fire tonight, and used his Oscar opening monologue as a vehicle to address the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. That's exactly what one would have expected and I absolutely loved it.

Jokes aside, Chris's message was clear, black actors must get the same opportunities as white actors, not just once. And this also applies to other minorities as well.

Back to the ceremony, Lady Gaga brought to the stage the abuse survivors, but The Weeknd was the best musical act and had the best original song in my opinion.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" got a love of love, and "The Revenant" almost left high and dry. But without further ado, let's see this years winners and losers.

The Danish Girl (2015)

Genre

Biography | Drama | Romance

Director

Tom Hooper

Country

UK | USA | Belgium

Cast

Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ben Whishaw, Amber Heard, Sebastian Koch, Emerald Fennell, Adrian Schiller, Henry Pettigrew

Storyline

Danish painter Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) has been married to fellow-artist Gerda (Alicia Vikander) for six years. After his wife painted him as a lady, Einer starts to change his appearance into a female appearance and gradually becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming a woman, a quest which leads him to attempt one of the first sex reassignment surgeries.

Opinion

Some films have everything it takes to be engaging, fascinating and emotional. "The Danish Girl" is one of them only on paper, because in spite of everything it has to offer, it is a cold and detached film.

Following George VI and Jean Valjean's dramas, Tom Hooper brings to the big screen a film about brave people in a time where their bravery was counted as mental illness, from a diagnosis of schizophrenia to a suspicion of perversion. 

This is not just a film about transsexuality, but also a love story with two equally powerful dramas: that of the man who suffers because he feels trapped in a physical cage, his body, that does not recognize as his own, and who is willing to risk his life to see his dream come true, being himself; then there is the even stronger and more dramatic one, that of the woman who loves that man so much she is willing to sacrifice herself in order to see him happy.

Now the problem, the lack of emotional impact. The film is emotionally sterile. Maybe if they didn't pay so much attention to the aesthetic of the film and worked a little better on the screenplay, it would have been different. The costumes are beautiful, so are interiors and landscapes, but they are not enough.

The musical score by Alexandre Desplat has purely romantic tones and reminds the audience it's a great love story the one the film is telling, but in some scenes is too intrusive, and ruins said scenes. Especially the one when Einar undresses in front of a mirror.

The acting isn't that brilliant either. While Alicia Vikander delivers an excellent performance as Gerda Wegener - still she should have been nominated for "Ex Machina" -, Eddie Redmayne is not as good as everyone is saying, and not only his performance doesn't come close to DiCaprio's John Glass but neither it does to Fassbender's Steve Jobs. Last year, I praised Redmayne's portrayal of Stephen Hawking for the awkward and exaggerated manner he brought to the character. Unfortunately, that does seem to be his trademark, because he does the exact same thing as Einar/Lili and it doesn't really work here. All he does to portray the complexity of his character is smile and blinking eyes. Some also claim that Redmayne was the perfect choice to play that role because of his androgynous beauty. To be honest I fail to see that too.

Spotlight (2015)

Genre

Biography | Drama | History

Director

Tom McCarthy

Country

USA

Cast

Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Gene Amoroso, Jamey Sheridan, Billy Crudup, Maureen Keiller, Richard Jenkins, Paul Guilfoyle, Len Cariou, Neal Huff, Michael Cyril Creighton, Laurie Heineman

Storyline

When the Boston Globe's tenacious "Spotlight" team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston's religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world.

Opinion

Inquiry films are quite a challenge because in the process of making one you have to combine complex facts and the story of those who lived that reality. You either can end up with a documentary-like film, or get lost. "Spotlight" does get lost. Kind of.

While it still is a solid drama, it lacks of that something that makes you wonder how the story will end even when you do know how the story will end. And this unfortunately is not the only problem.

Another one being the Catholic Church. It is unlikely that a team of journalists manages to dig in the darkest corners of the Church without the Church trying to actually do something. I suppose the Church would have opposed much stronger resistance considering how powerful we are told it is.

Also the film tells the story from the point of view of the victims and reporters and it portrays the perpetrators and their protectors in a negative way. Sure, there's nothing wrong with that, but at some point, one priest has the chance to explain the reason for his behavior. I'm not sure what is that supposed to prove. Just because something has happened to you, does that mean you are free to do the same thing to someone else? The priest doesn't show any regret yet the report is interested in listening to his explanation. I don't know, maybe I'm getting this wrong.

However, like I said before, it still is a good film. The pacing is quite slow but it serves to show better the struggle and long research conducted by the team of reporters in order to put under the spotlight those abuses that have been covered-up for years.

Tom McCarthy did an astounding job directing the film and writing the screenplay with Josh Singer. His storytelling lacks emotion but he clearly wanted to tell the story in a certain way, and he did it.

The acting is top-notch. Mark Ruffalo will never stop surprising me. He is fully engaged in the role of reporter Mike Rezendes and along with Michael Keaton, he pulls off the best performance in the film. Rachel McAdams also does a brilliant job - I'm sure I've already mentioned how glad I am she's doing serious stuff -, but she doesn't belong in the Best Actress category this year. Great performances also from Stanley Tucci and Liev Schreiber.

Overall the film is fine, but in my humble opinion I don't think it can compete with "The Revenant" or "Mad Max: Fury Road".

"If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse them." - Mitchell Garabedian

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Genre

Mystery | Western

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Country

USA

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, James Parks, Channing Tatum, Dana Gourrier, Zoë Bell, Lee Horsley, Gene Jones, Keith Jefferson, Craig Stark, Belinda Owino, Quentin Tarantino

Storyline

During the winter in Wyoming, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive captive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh) race towards the town of Red Rock. Along the road, they encounter Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), an infamous bounty hunter, and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), a man who claims to be Red Rock's new sheriff. Lost in a blizzard, they seek refuge at Minnie's Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive, they are greeted by four unfamiliar faces: Bob (Demián Bichir), who's taking care of Minnie's while she's visiting her mother, Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Bruce Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, the eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all.

Opinion

As if having to wait until February the 4th for this film wasn't awful enough, I didn't even have the opportunity to see the 70mm version - which according to everyone makes a hell of a difference -, but at least I got to see it in English. Anyway, I feel very, very sorry for the haters, because Tarantino did what Tarantino does best, he made another masterpiece.

Raw, bloody and insane, "The Hateful Eight" is an excellent western as well as a great murder mystery with a great story, stunning cinematography, and sublime music.

Let's start from the storyline. It's simple, at the same time very improbable and absolutely convincing, and it's told in a complex, interesting and unique way that will keep your eyes glued to the screen throughout the entire running time - whether 167 minutes for unlucky people like myself, or 187 minutes for the lucky ones. If I had to compare it to another Tarantino it'd definitely be "Reservoir Dogs", Tarantino's debut film - Michael Madsen and Tim Roth are even in it!

The first "peaceful" half is built almost entirely on witty, philosophical, and deeply engaging dialogue, which serves to set the stage for the characters. Following a big plot twist that brings the narrator, Tarantino himself, back a few minutes to show a scene from another point of view, the second half is what one would call a typical Tarantino.

Just like most of his films, the story is divided into chapters and the events aren't in a chronological order, but each missing piece is unveiled when needed, making the story very thrilling and unpredictable.

The violent action scenes always have a reason to be in the film, and transform the hateful eight's mental violence into pictures. Also these scenes are perfectly balanced with the slow, calm ones.

The setting is excellent. After 30 minutes or so taking place on a stagecoach, the film then entirely takes place in Minnie's Haberdashery, a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. Besides from giving almost a claustrophobic feeling, and recalling once again Tarantino's first time, it shows how much this genius can do with so little.

Everything is spectacular, from the excellent camera work from Robert Richardson to the meticulous set pieces and costumes, to Ennio Morricone's fascinating, enthralling, and sinister musical score that makes the smell of blood palpable from the very beginning.

The acting is top-notch. Yes, Jennifer Jason Leigh is spectacular as Daisy Domergue and she even got an Academy Award nomination, but let's not forget about the rest of the cast. At his sixth collaboration with Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson does a wonderful job as Major Marquis Warren, once again in the role of a divine executioner. He really gives his best when teaming with Tarantino, he performs his words like no other, and delivers some very interesting and intelligent monologues. Needless to say this was an Oscar worthy performance. Tim Roth gives a performance as Oswald that feels like Christoph Waltz's in "Inglourious Basterds", which is a good thing. Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins, Michael Madsen, Demián Bichir and Bruce Dern also do a great job with the characters.

In a nutshell, all people love of Tarantino's films - witty dialogue, bloody violence, non-linear storytelling and black humour - is in "The Hateful Eight". So if you are a fan, like myself, you can't miss this.

When the handbill says "dead or alive", the rest of us just shoot you in the back from up on top a perch somewhere and bring you in dead over a saddle. But when John Ruth the Hangman catches you... You hang! - Major Marquis Warren

Mustang (2015)

Genre

Drama

Director

Deniz Gamze Ergüven

Country

France | Turkey | Germany

Cast

Güneş Şensoy, Doğa Doğuşlu, Elit İşcan, Tuğba Sunguroğlu, İlayda Akdoğan, Nihal Koldaş, Ayberk Pekcan, Erol Afşin Burak Yiğit

Storyline

In a village in northern Turkey, Lale (Güneş Şensoy) and her four sisters are walking home from school, playing innocently with some boys. The immorality of their play sets off a scandal that has unexpected consequences. The family home is progressively transformed into a prison; instruction in homemaking replaces school and marriages start being arranged.

Opinion

Nominated for Best Foreign Language Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards, "Mustang" is a spectacular debut film that keenly explores female adolescence but most importantly is a hymn to freedom.

Turkish-French director and screenwriter Deniz Gamze Ergüven demonstrates her ability as she brings intensity and freshness to a story that has a lot of similarities with another great debut, Sofia Coppola's "The Virgin Suicides".

The cleverness of the director lies in keeping a great balance as she describes the contradictions and problems of Turkish society. In fact, while certainly sympathizing with the girls - the narration of the youngest sister not only provides an indication of their feeling but also makes you root for their freedom -, Ergüven makes it clear that arranged marriage of a teenage girl is part of the village customs.

While addressing the issue of women in society - their secondary place mainly due to culture -, at the same time "Mustang" makes a statement about freedom. Unlike "The Virgin Suicides" where the fight for freedom tragically ends with the suicides of the sisters, this film leaves a slight glimmer of hope - and a chance for 'our' girls to realize themselves as women.

Bright and warm in the open spaces and claustrophobic in the house/prison, the photography is excellent. Same goes for Warren Ellis's musical score.

The performances from the lead actresses are phenomenal, very natural and believable, with Güneş Şensoy in the role of Lale, the youngest girl, standing out.

Anomalisa (2015)

Genre

Animation | Comedy | Drama

Directors

Charlie Kaufman | Duke Johnson

Country

USA

Voice Cast

David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan

Storyline

Crippled by the mundanity of his life, self-help author Michael Stone (David Thewlis) experiences something out of the ordinary.

Opinion

After the unfortunate distribution of "Synecdoche, New York", Charlie Kaufman and his unconventional works have found nothing but closed doors. That's why he, and his team, decided to raised the film's budget on Kickstarter so as to "produce this unique and beautiful film outside of the typical Hollywood studio system where we believe that you, the audience, would never be allowed to enjoy this brilliant work the way it was originally conceived". The goal was to make something pure, something beautiful, and that's' exactly what they did.

"Anomalisa" is a brilliant, very original, intriguing and thought-provoking dramedy on depression and loneliness that could have originated from the mind of Charlie Kaufman only.

The film is extremely simple, yet extremely complex and, in a short amount of time - 90 minutes only - it manages to provoke a thought about the dilemmas brought by midlife crisis in a society where individuality is completely nullified.

From the very first minutes the viewer begins to wonder why all the characters except the protagonist have the same voice and the same inflection, whether men, women or children. The story gives us the answer, as we face the story of a man in existential crisis that feels surrounded by a world made up of identical people. 

The name of the hotel at which Michael Stone is staying - Fregoli Hotel - is not random at all. In fact, the Fregoli delusion is a disorder in which a person has a delusional belief that different people are actually a single individual who changes appearance to persecute him. And that's the exact portrayal of the protagonist.

But then there's Lisa, the anomaly. She is something new, something different, something extraordinary, and her voice, so sweet and cuddly, represents a change in Michael's life, finally opening his eyes.

Technically speaking, Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson directed a sad story with a lot of sensitivity. The stop-motion animation is brilliantly done and deserves to be praised because obviously a lot of work and effort was put into it.

And lastly, all the characters are brought to life by excellent voice work from David Thewlis (Michael Stone), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Lisa) and Tom Noonan (everybody else).

Definitely a must-see for the Kaufman lovers. And don't let you trick by the animation, this is not a film for kids.

Our time is limited, we forget that. - Michael Stone

Joy (2015)

Genre

Drama

Director

David O. Russell

Country

USA

Cast

Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Édgar Ramírez, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Isabella Rossellini, Elisabeth Röhm, Dascha Polanco, Melissa Rivers, Donna Mills, Susan Lucci, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Alexander Cook, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Drena De Niro, Isabella Crovetti-Cramp, Madison Wolfe, Emily Nunez

Storyline

The story of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), a divorced, young mother of two, who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

Opinion

Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper starring in a film directed by David O. Russell, how original. Anyway, I had high expectations for this film given the story and the people who worked in it: what a disappointment!

Bland but with a strong performance from its lead, Jennifer Lawrence, "Joy" doesn't quite live up to its title.

The story, a feel-good American dream kind of story, is loosely based on the true story of inventor Joy Mangano, and had Oscar material written all over. Then the screenplay happened. A terrible, atrociously written screenplay, which choose to focus on the dysfunctional family rather than the inventions and career path of the main character. Joy's family indeed has an important role in her life, but it takes over on everything else, and it ends up overshadowing Joy's growth, as she learns about the world of business eventually losing her innocence.

The fairly tale narrated by the dead grandmother is ruled by chaos, and it's quite hard to understand how such a simple and straightforward story ended up in a film that doesn't exceed by much the level of a soap opera.

The editing certainly does not help. The scenes, that seems to be cut with by a brutal butcher, feel like they were put together randomly at the expense of the decisions and motivations of the protagonist: it's not very clear how a haircut is connected and have the same value of the invention of mop. Of course, there's a path behind it, but the messing editing really doesn't help.

The production design is that of a Christmas film, but maybe that's what David O. Russell wanted, it was released at Christmas after all. The same applies for the poor music choices. Maybe it was someone's iPod on shuffle, who knows.

And lastly the acting. Jennifer Lawrence gives an incredible performance, the best it could have been given the role. She carries the whole film, and she brings some energy to the character - and film - without which we would struggle to find something interesting in the film. Did she deserve to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy? And over Amy Schumer? I don't think so. Robert De Niro is a great actor, I'd never dare to say otherwise, but I'm really tired of seeing him doing the same role over and over again. Bradley Cooper's performance is quite weak, but the rest of the cast is no better, that's certainly not the case.

Theeb (2014)

Original Title

ذيب 

Genre

Adventure | Drama

Director

Naji Abu Nowar

Country

Jordan | United Arab Emirates | Qatar | UK

Cast

Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen, Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraiyeh, Jack Fox

Storyline

During World War I, a young Bedouin boy (Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat) experiences a greatly hastened coming of age as he embarks on a perilous desert journey to guide a British officer (Jack Fox) to his secret destination.

Opinion

As the night of the Oscar approaches, I'm trying to catch up on the films I've missed, and here I am, reviewing this beautiful little gem.

Feature length debut of Jordanian director Naji Abu Nowar, "Theeb" is a touching and thoughtful story of boyhood, manhood, survival and betrayal beautifully captured from start to finish.

We find ourselves in those same remote deserts that many years ago accommodated Lawrence of Arabia. Theeb's trip however is far less adventurous, and, unaware of the world and the men inhabiting it who do little good and a lot of bad, the young boy is forced to abandon childhood and he is catapulted into manhood.

With a simple, yet engaging and never boring story, and through the eyes of a boy, Naji Abu Nowar tells how war enters the nomadic life and upset the traditions, rules and balance of the people living in those lands.

Wolfgang Thaler's eloquent camerawork is fascinating and he captured the stunning scenery so beautifully that helps suggest emotional state. Not least is the extraordinary and hypnotic exotic musical score.

Nowar's decision to use non-actors in his debut was a bold move that eventually turned out to be absolutely spot-on. Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat portrays young Theeb wonderfully, and provides a sorrowfully expressive lead, and the affection for each other conveyed by him and Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen (real-life cousin) is so intense that quickly wins you over. Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraiyeh does a fine job and he's menacing just enough as the ruthless Stranger.

If the wolves offer friendship, do not count on success. They will not stand beside you when you are facing death.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Genre

Action | Sci-Fi

Director

George Miller

Country

Australia | USA

Cast

Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton, Josh Helman, Nathan Jones, John Howard, Richard Carter, Angus Sampson, iOTA, Quentin Kenihan, Jennifer Hagan, Jon Iles, Melissa Jaffer, Megan Gale, Gillian Jones, Joy Smithers, Melita Jurisic

Storyline

In the stark desert wasteland populated by a broken humanity driven with survival and the unending ravage for gasoline, a loner named Max (Tom Hardy) finds himself unwantedly caught in the middle of a chase while aiding the heroine Furiosa (Charlize Theron), and her female companions, she struggles to return to her homeland and escape the clutches of a ruthless dessert gang leader, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne).

Opinion

Following a series of ups and downs, the Mad Max Trilogy ended in the worst possible of ways with "Beyond Thunderdome", a film starring Mel Gibson that somehow ends up on the set of "Hook". Ever since, George Miller had plenty of time to think. I imagine him brainstorming, trying to restore Max's name and dignity; and here he is, thirty years later, with a brand new film that will blow you away.

A ferocious, glorious, gripping, thrilling, and absolutely insane film, "Mad Max: Fury Road" is a masterpiece that goes far beyond the action genre.

As mentioned earlier, George Miller had plenty of time and he used it beautifully: not only he identified the weak points of his narrative, but he also realized that action without substance doesn't have any purpose. Miller renewed his post-apocalyptic universe and was able to express this complex and chaotic world to perfection through his people: every single face has a story to tell that is worth listening to.

You will be immediately catapulted into a mad world, where it is not recommended to let your guard down, between a sandstorm and an attack led by the War Boys. Adrenaline doesn't lower for a single moment, leaving you on the edge of the seat for the whole running time.

To a great story frantically paced is added a minimal use of CGI on behalf of the spectacular Australian landscapes and real stunts. The result is a mix of explosions, jumps and fights so real that no computer will ever be able to replicate. Also, the way the sick action sequences were filmed not only is revolutionary but is so fantastic there are no words to describe it.

But the real innovation is the presence of women. They are the real characters, and for once they break free from the 'objects to be saved and owned' label that our male-dominated society imposes, and they fight for their freedom. Among these stands out Furiosa, the heroine of the story with a dark past behind her.

Then of course there's Mad Max, no longer in the disguise of Mel Gibson, still a man haunted by his past, so tormented to force himself to an even greater exile than the rest of humanity has to deal with. To balance the whole there is Immortan Joe, a terrible tyrant and self-proclaimed god followed by the War Boys, warriors willing to sacrifice their lives to earn Joe's admiration.

As for the acting, Tom Hardy's talent for portraying strong, silent characters shines again in a subtle performance. Thanks to his impetuous and animalistic attitude, and a glance filled with madness, he really does a great job. However, the stand out is Charlize Theron who delivers an emotionally perfect and Oscar worthy performance as Furiosa. 

Yes, it deserves every single nomination. 

Hope is a mistake. If you can't fix what's broken, you'll, uh... you'll go insane. - Max Rockatansky

Boy & the World (2013)

Original Title

O Menino e o Mundo

Genre

Animation | Adventure

Director

Alê Abreu

Country

Brazil

Voice Cast

Vinicius Garcia, Lu Horta, Marco Aurélio Campos, Felipe Zilse, Alê Abreu

Storyline

Cuca (Vinicius Garcia) is a boy who lives in a distant world, in a small village in the interior of his mythical country. One day, he sees his father leaving in search of work, embarking on a train towards to an unknown capital. The weeks that follow are of anguish and confusing memories. Until then, one night, a breath of wind breaks into the bedroom window and takes the boy to a distant and magical place.

Opinion

In times when 3D animation is trending, Brazilian Alê Abreu outperforms most of the animation flicks with a film that may seem childish at first glance, but I assure you it is not.

Featuring a touching story of a small boy trying to reunite his family, "Boy & the World" is a well-made, poetic film that has more heart than the majority of movies for kids.

The colorful animation, which indeed stands out from the crowd, is perhaps the best part of the film: the drawings, made with endless imagination and that go from pastels to wax crayons, oil painting, to collage - like a kid would do -, create such spectacular images that make words superfluous. The most important is the way these elements were put together. Abreu doesn't try to find aesthetic perfection, instead he tries to make the whole film touch the viewer's emotional strings.

Along with its sublime and ipnotic score, the film has a different, artistic way to express everything, from landscapes to people, war to nature, and feelings. 

"Boy & the World" is not just a kids film. It actually is suitable for all ages because everyone can find some food for thought. In fact, while the children will enjoy the adventure of the little boy, everyone else, mostly young-adults and adults, will reflect on the working world, human rights, ecology and poverty.

Don't let you trick by the language: the film is almost dialogue-free and the few dialogues are in backwards Portuguese, meaning you don't need to understand that.

Steve Jobs (2015)

Genre

Biography | Drama

Director

Danny Boyle

Country

USA

Cast

Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Makenzie Moss, Ripley Sobo, Perla Haney-Jardine, Sarah Snook, Adam Shapiro, John Ortiz, Stan Roth

Storyline

Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender) takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

Opinion

When "Jobs" came out back in 2013, I avoided it like the plague mostly because of Ashton Kutcher. But being the huge fan of Apple and Steve Jobs I am, I couldn't hold my excitement for this new biopic, written by Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network"), directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire"), and starring my favourite actor, Michael Fassbender. Still, according to fanboys, I was supposed to hate this film. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint them, but I loved it. 

An intelligent, interesting, well-acted character study that avoids being a full-life biopic, "Steve Jobs" is exactly what someone would expect from a collaboration between Boyle and Sorkin.

Although it's not his best, Aaron Sorkin's screenplay captured the essence of a genius, a visionary, examining this man's nature through the interacting with relatives, friends and colleagues during three stressful moments of his life. 

The whole film takes place before each launch - it's some sort of behind the scenes - and it's pure genius. Instead of bore us to death with a story everyone already knows about professional success and personal unsuccess, Sorkin decided to tell a story about success on the human front, a success achieved with difficulty, not before going through years of professional failures as well as public humiliations.

Sorkin's script is filled with brilliant dialogue, and, with the help of Danny Boyle's elegant and beautiful stylistic direction, manages to fill two whole hours with people arguing in empty room and avoids to be tedious. To be honest, time flew by!

And last but not least the outstanding acting. An almost unrecognizable Michael Fassbender gives a magnificent performance and provides a marvelous portrayal of Steve Jobs. He captures every single shade of Jobs - his stubbornness, his arrogance, his incompatibility with the rest of the world, everything. I am not sure when was the last time I've seen an actor disappear in their character so wonderfully. Kate Winslet is outstanding as Joanna Hoffman, Job's assistant, she nails the accent, and her chemistry with Fassbender is great. I didn't see this coming but Seth Rogen surprised me the most, doing a great job as Steve Wozniak. He should stick to this kind of roles. Jeff Daniels also gives a solid performance. 

Memorable quotes

Steve Wozniak: What do you do? You're not an engineer. You're not a designer. You can't put a hammer to a nail. I built the circuit board! The graphical interface was stolen! So how come ten times in a day I read Steve Jobs is a genius? What do you do?

Steve Jobs: Musicians play their instruments. I play the orchestra.

Room (2015)

Genre

Drama

Director

Lenny Abrahamson

Country

Canada | Ireland

Cast

Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, Sean Bridgers, Tom McCamus, Amanda Brugel, Joe Pingue, Megan Park, Cas Anvar, Wendy Crewson

Storyline

Like any good mother, Ma (Brie Larson) dedicates herself to keeping Jack (Jacob Tremblay) happy and safe. Their life, however, is anything but typical, as they are trapped and confined to a windowless space that Ma has named Room. Ma has created a whole universe for Jack within Room, but as Jack's curiosity about their situation grows, and Ma's resilience reaches its breaking point, they enact a risky plan to escape, ultimately bringing them face-to-face with what may turn out to be the scariest thing yet: the real world.

Opinion

This is one of the films I've been waiting for the most for two reasons: Lenny Abrahamson directed it, and it has been highly acclaimed. I guess it's not going to be easy to say something that hasn't already been said, but I'll try.

Filled with love, hurt and determination to live, "Room" is one of those films that get under your skin and take your breath away, and does not just tell a story, but makes you reflect on the ugliness of mankind. 

I haven't read the book upon the film is based on yet, but having the novelist, Emma Donoghue, to write the screenplay was a smart choice, because nobody but her could have done justice to such a heartbreaking, yet heartwarming story.

The film consists of two apparently separated parts. The first part, somewhat claustrophobic, is set in a shabby room, where there are the whole lives of Jack and his mother. Nothing but extraordinary, this part tells the boundless love between a mother and her son, a deep bond made even deeper by the ugly circumstances. The second part is the after. It tells the psychological effect of the imprisonment, and shows the protagonist, Ma, with her fears, her neurosis and the difficulty to deal with the real world, which is even more scary than room.

The van scene, without any doubt one of the most emotional in recent films, is so strong, and filled with tension, hope and fear to make you hold your breath. The credits go to the point of view, Jack's, unaware both of evil and good, the spectacular direction and a screenplay that hardly could have been better.

"Room" is hard to watch at some points, especially because the horrors have happened in real life, but some other points, the funny, lighthearted ones, balance the film, and take part in the making one of the best films of the year.

As for the acting, only one word can describe it: astonishing. Brie Larson gives the performance of her lifetime, showing so many layers of Ma that it's impossible not to care about her, or about her son, and adds so much emotional depth to her character as she superbly shows the psychological damage of those seven long years held captive. Needless to say she proves she can do dramatic roles. Stealing the show, however, is 9-year-old Jacob Tremblay, who couldn't have played the role of Jack any better. He brought so much depth and emotions in the character that leaves you speechless. It's hard to believe he didn't get an Oscar nomination.

Now that you are done reading, I suggest you watch this film. It is unsettling, of course it is, but it is equally powerful. 

You're gonna love it. - What? - The world.

The Revenant (2015)

Genre

Adventure | Drama

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Country

USA

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck, Grace Dove, Paul Anderson, Brendan Fletcher, Kristoffer Joner, Melaw Nakehk'o, Duane Howard, Brad Carter, Lukas Haas

Storyline

In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption.

Opinion

About one year ago Alejandro G. Iñárritu, one of my favourite directors, took home not one, not two, but three Oscars for "Birdman"; those statuettes were followed by a speech about ego and as that is one of our greatest enemies. Well, a lot has been said and written about "The Revenant", and while many think that Iñárritu did not listen to his own advice returning with the great ambition to make a masterpiece, ego or not ego, in my humble opinion Iñárritu did make a masterpiece.

"The Revenant" is a magnificent, powerful film that delivers every single emotion, and whose brutality and viscerality pierce like a sharp blade and make us reflect on human nature.

Inspired by true events, the film is a deep cinematic experience that tells a story of revenge and survival, the epic adventure of a man trying to survive only with his strenght of spirit. It could have easily been nothing more than just a revenge film, but here comes the extraordinary ability of Iñárritu who transforms an average plot into something spectacular, using the contrast between poetic beauty and the ugliness of violence to point out human's interference with nature. The whole comes with a life lesson: as long as you can still grab a breath, you fight.

While it is certainly not the first Man vs. Wild film, "The Revenant" puts everyone on the same level, both men and animals, both victims and perpetrators. The cold and impassive nature assists the human turmoils dictated by the necessities of existence of the Native Americans and the need for profit of the white men.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's directorial style and choices shine through the film, creating a visceral and aesthetic contrast as we watch the gorgeous landscapes and scenery melting with the brutal storyline. 

The musical score, the visual effects and the make-up are impressive, but the cinematography is completely on another level. Emmanuel Lubezki captured the stunning landscapes and followed the battle scenes superbly, allowing you to fully immerge into the film. It looks like Lubezki is about to get his third Oscar in a row.

And now the performances. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a visceral, raw performance as Hugh Glass, a performance that will live on in history. He portrays Glass's desperation in a wonderful manner: he doesn't even need to speak throughout a lot of the film to convey a thousand of feelings and to make you feel inside the character. That's the real acting, being able to express emotions through body language rather than handling dialogue in the right way. This outstanding performance is supported by an excellent performance from Tom Hardy. The British actor pulled of a really good accent -- it really wowed me -- and he also blew me away with his acting skills, delivering a terrific performance as brutal Fitzgerald. Domhnall Gleeson also did a great job -- his Irish accent occasionally showed up though.

As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight. You breathe... keep breathing. - Hugh Glass

The wind cannot defeat a tree with strong roots. 

The 2016 Oscar Nominations

It's quite difficult to care about this announcement when mourning the loss of Alan Rickman, but the 2016 Oscar nominations have been unveiled, and here's the full list (and some comments):

The Big Short (2015)

Genre

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Director

Adam McKay

Country

USA

Cast

Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, John Magaro, Finn Wittrock, Brad Pitt, Hamish Linklater, Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, Marisa Tomei, Melissa Leo, Stanley Wong, Byron Mann, Tracy Letts, Karen Gillan, Max Greenfield, Adepero Oduye, Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez, Richard Thaler, Anthony Bourdain

Storyline

Four outsiders in the world of high-finance predict the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000's, and decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed. 

Opinion

A great cast -- what am I saying, a tremendous cast -- and such an important story to tell are the premise to a great film. Turns out I was wrong: I was honestly expecting more, much more. What a disappointment.

"The Big Short" provides a good look and a different perspective on the 2007-2008 crisis, but its dialogue, and some questionable directorial and editing choices make of it a slightly above average film.

Written by McKay and Charles Randolph, the screenplay is very inherent to the world of banking, finance, and economics but fails on the dialogue front. It was probably the screenwriters' purpose, but the dialogue is very complex, and very technical, and very hard to understand for those who doesn't know a thing about economics. In this regard, having a celebrity -- Margot Robbie, Anthony Bourdain, Selena Gomez and Richard Thaler -- explaining what the heck was happening was a smart move.

When it comes to telling the story, the film does a good job. It tells the disaster created by big banks, which still is affecting us today, with some humour and manages to make you think about the principles a man lives on. 

And now the direction. I'm not sure McKay's decision of fast-paced and quick-cat editing and the addition of young pop-culture references was a winning choice. Also, the camera moves like a top, the shots seems disoriented, some are out of focus and overall they feel amateurish. One gets the feeling that the camera is a person who is experiencing with the characters, but I don't think it quite works in this kind of film.

The strength of the film is the acting, at least the stellar cast didn't disappoint. Steve Carell gives a wonderful performance as Mark Baum, and once again proves that he is a capable dramatic actor, and wasn't just lucky in "Foxcatcher". Christian Bale is simply flawless as Michael Burry, and deserves to be recognized for his unique ability to do such a variety of roles all so convincingly. Ryan Gosling also does a fantastic job, although he portrays the same character as he did in "Crazy, Stupid, Love.". The rest of the cast also does a good job.

Despite all I have said above, I think "The Big Short" is a must see for all those who have someway lived the 2008 recession. 

Truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry. - Overheard at a Washington, D.C. bar

Carol (2015)

Genre

Drama | Romance

Director

Todd Haynes

Country

UK | USA

Cast

Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacy, Cory Michael Smith, John Magaro, Carrie Brownstein, Kevin Crowley

Storyline

An immediate connection sparks between Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young woman working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life, and Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. Their connection eventually deepens, and while Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage, her husband (Kyle Chandler) begins to question her competence as a mother.

Opinion

I had been looking forward to this film for months, and despite my high expectation, I was sure it would have let me down, like Todd Haynes's "Far From Heaven" did. To my surprise, the film lived up to my great expectations. 

Masterfully directed, beautifully shot and led by a powerful Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, Carol is a tender, tough and thoughtful film made of glances, feelings and atmospheres, that seduces the viewer.

One of the biggest challenges of filmmaking is to find new stories to tell. The ultimate challenge is being able to tell an already-seen story in an original and interesting way. This is certainly the first hurdle Todd Haynes faced with this film that brings back to the memory his "Far From Heaven". Needless to say, he overcame it beautifully.

The story's extremely slow pace is the main reason many did not like the film. At the same time the pace is the main reason the film works. In this manner, Haynes has all the time to focus on every single shade because the storytelling follows an evolution of feelings never expressed in words and kept hidden even in the private.

The script, written by Phyllis Nagy and adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel "The Price of Salt", is tight, has strong development, and does not waste time. Same goes with dialogue. Each line conveys so much about the story and none of them is wasted. 

Then there is a sex scene, which is very common in films. Sometime their only purpose is to have a beautiful woman naked. Some other times they are over extended for no reason probably just to make people talk about the film ("Blue Is the Warmest Colour"). Then there's some other times where the tension between the couple starts building from the beginning, and when they become intimate, the scene is more powerful than any other in the film. Carol's is one of the latter, and as if that wasn't enough, the scene is masterfully done, beautifully shot and so well acted that it conveys all the passion. Carol and Therese will make love again, but there is no other sex scene as those involved - probably both director and writer(s) - knew it wouldn't add anything to the film.

To add another layer of greatness to this film there's Carter Burwell's score. Although repetitive at times, it was divinely blended with the era of the film. It starts with a simple piano, followed by violin, and then suddenly the sound of an angelic harp. Simply the best score of the year.

And lastly the strong and powerful leading duo, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Cate Blanchett is - as always - brilliant as Carol, and so consistently magnetic she could make you fall in love with a stare. Rooney Mara is outstanding and her portrayal of Therese showed the character's innocence and her journey towards self-discovery. The chemistry between the two of them is simply remarkable. Sarah Paulson is also unforgettable as Abby, Carol's childhood friend and ex. The chemistry between her and Blanchett is also wonderful.

Go see it before it's too late.

My angel, flung out of space... - Carol

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Genre

History | Drama | Thriller

Director

Steven Spielberg

Country

USA

Cast

Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Scott Shepherd, Amy Ryan, Sebastian Koch, Alan Alda, Austin Stowell, Billy Magnussen, Eve Hewson, Jesse Plemons, Michael Gaston, Peter McRobbie, Domenick Lombardozzi, Will Rogers, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Kunken, Joshua Harto, Mark Zak, Edward James, Mikhail Gorevoy

Storyline

During the Cold War, American lawyer James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy (Mark Rylance) in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U-2 spy-plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell).

Opinion

Based on the trailer, I was expecting a film similar to Eastwood's "American Sniper", a film torn between being anti-war and pro-war, significantly tilted in favor of the United States. Well, I was surprised to discover that the film is, for the most part, an impartial view of the Cold War. However, it is not a masterpiece as many claim.

Spielberg's Bridge of Spies is indeed a film made of two uneven parts: a brilliant legal drama, and a less successful political thriller.

Matt Charman and the Coen Brothers seem to have got most of the facts right, and, although the film is obviously embellished, it works as an historical drama. Unfortunately, the story unfolds, and especially ends, in a too simplistic way, and therefore it is a little unrealistic. It is for this reason that the first part, the legal drama, stands on the second part, the political thriller, lacking a depth study and high tension -- this lack is mostly felt around Hanks's character: there's hostility, it's perceptible but it's not as high as it could have been. A real shame because the film did have the potential to be a masterpiece.

Another quibble is cinematography, which seems to be taken care of by two different people: in some scenes abounds the use of the annoying wide angle, while in some others everything is impeccable.

However, the film is beautifully done and it is provided with a higher truthfulness thank to the setting and scenery very well-constructed that really make you feel immersed in the time and place.

Going back to the tension, considering the film is made up almost entirely of dialogue - witty and enhanced by the terrific dark sense of humour of the Coen brothers -, the level of tension the film manages to reach is quite surprisingly.

Then there is the wonderful casting of Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. Tom Hanks delivers a great performance, suiting very well in the role of the idealistic and tenacious lawyer doing everything in his power to defend "his guy". The other highlight in the cast is Mark Rylance, who also gives a great performance as Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. He transmits such serenity, and when he and Hanks are in the same room, just enjoy their chemistry. 

The Martian (2015)

Genre

Drama | Sci-Fi

Director

Ridley Scott

Country

USA

Cast

Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis, Eddy Ko, Chen Shu, Naomi Scott, Nick Mohammed

Storyline

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission.

Opinion

Following the uproar that has accompanied "Gravity" and "Interstellar" in the past years, Ridley Scott too rides the trend of the sci-fi film set in space. And although he doesn't reach neither the level of Cuarón nor that of Nolan, he is finally back on track with a film that deserves to be watched and overshadows his latest works.

Fascinating, and entertaining, The Martian is a sci-fi film that blends humour and emotions within its dramatic plot of survival and benefits from Matt Damon's performance.

Big credits go to Scott that managed to make interesting and engaging a story that could have easily bored. Also crucial is the decision to give more importance to human life and its preservation than science fiction, and the film moves on a double track on this: on the one hand a man doing his best to survive; on the other hand a group of scientists trying to bring him home.

Based on novelist and software engineer Andy Weir's novel "The Martian", the screenplay perhaps does not sprinkle originality -- "Cast Away on Mars" could have been the title for this --, but it is surprisingly funny, especially coming from "Daredevil" creator Drew Goddard. The film is hilarious in some parts - funnier than most comedies of the past year -, and what makes the film special is Watney's optimist point of view... and sense of humour of course.

And now the bad. The dialogue isn't brilliant, and a ton of scientifically accurate or inaccurate things are said I was like "in English?". The character development is pretty poor. Also, unfortunately for the film, its special effects are overshadowed by the spectacle of "Gravity" and the beauty of "Interstellar".

Although Mark Watney did not like his commander's disco music playlist, I really loved the soundtrack that includes great names from the music industry like Gloria Gaynor, David Bowie and the ABBA.

Once again in the need to be rescued, Matt Damon probably gives his best performance, charismatic as usual, in the role of astronaut Mark Watney. Maybe he should have lost more weight for a role where he is supposed to nearly starve to death, but okay. The rest of the cast provides a good support.