Spielberg Crafts Thriller Of The Year, But It's Not Enough

REVIEW: Munich

Encountering more Oscar buzz than almost any other film this year, Steven Spielberg's "Munich" was heavily anticipated, to say the least. Most interesting, was the choice to not campaign this film for the Oscars, which of course only created more buzz and mystery to its existence. After it's release, the film, unlike others (Memoirs of a Geisha), holds up to its buzz. Though not Best Picture worthy, it is entirely worthy of a nomination.

Centering on the events that occurred after the attacks and assassinations of the Israeli Olympic team of 1972, Tony Kushner(Angels In America), pens one of the most sophisticated thrillers of our time. Including conversations that, though they took place in 1972, ring with a certain truth today. Reminding us that not much has changed. The screenplay has its breathtaking moments, and should be rewarded accordingly.

Onto the acting. Eric Bana, though not being recognized by any major precursor award has still been looked at as a major contender for the Best Actor category. Portraying Avner, the leader of the five men sent to kill eleven men that had a hand in planning the attacks at the Olympics, Bana will unfortunately be overlooked. Though his performance transcends the average movie's lead, his role will probably lead him to a second tier nomination. However, don't let this prediction deceive you. He could very likely have to get used to having "Academy Award Nominee" in front of his name due to the last thirty minutes of the film. Bana takes the dark twist in the film as an opportunity to bolster his character and performance, which tips me off to what was wrong with the first 2 and a half hours: a lack of substance. Though the character is supposed to have underlying father issues that ultimately lead him to take the job, Bana never seemed to add that layer. Perhaps because the script itself never drastically pointed out that character trait. However, near the climax of the film and Avner's return home, Bana slops on a whole new layer of subtext, continuously reminding us of how the past year has haunted him and affects his daily life. This is exemplified in a heart breaking scene where Avner rummages through his house looking, desperately, for anything that might literally blow up in his face. Though Bana portrays a beautiful post-assassination Avner, the character is not difficult enough or solidly performed to earn a nomination in this very difficult category.

The film, however, belongs to the ladies. Though their character's time on film are few and far between, they demand every minute they have on it, a la Judi Dench in Shakespeare In Love. Marie-Josee Croze portrays a powerful yet tender mother who simply wants her husband back. Reminding us of wives left at home during war time, her husband is at war, but she has no one to sympathize with. Stranded in New York with a new born and no husband, Croze does everything right. When Avner returns home, she does not break down in tears because she is a very strong-willed woman. Expressing concern for her haunted husband, we see her heart-break and her undying love for the man she used to know. The second female of the film award goes to the very surprising performance of Lynn Cohen and her portrayal of Golda Meir, the Israeli Prime Minister. Golda Meir, historically known as the mother of Israel, is strong and unique. We see her grief over the loss of her fellow citizens and also, in one particular scene, the conflict of her personal feelings for family (her sister) when confronted with the funeral of the athletes. Dressed, literally, in clothes fit for a grandmother, this small lady still commands the attention and respect of every man in a scene with her. Unfortunately, these two performances are extremely brief, but you never know. Perhaps the Academy will smile on these under-dog performances...They have before.

Steven Spielberg does a masterful job with this film. Reminding us of Clint Eastwood's work in Million Dollar Baby, he directs the film with an everchanging scope. Changing lighting and shots to become more dramatic and dark as the film leaves its light hearted side in the dusk of multiple explosions. Though the film drags a bit in the middle, the noteworthy directing is exemplified by his choices involving the exposition of the massacre and the films final thirty minutes. It is as if Spielberg just decided to make a brilliant film, rather than just a good one. Unfortunately, it is a little too little too late. Because the film drags on a bit in the middle, leaving many wondering why the film had to be three hours, Munich lacks some of the power of other contenders like Brokeback Mountain and Good Night and Good Luck, but it will certainly be in the running.

RATING: A-

"Walk The Line" Feels All Too Familiar

REVIEW: Walk The Line

This has obviously been a long time coming seeing as how the movie came out a little while ago, but better late then never.

The movie centers around the life and drama of the acclaimed singer/songwriter Johnny Cash. Struggling through a multitude of problems, Walk The Line exposes almost every trouble that Johnny Cash must have gone through. Echoing in the wake of last years Ray, WTL has a similar feel, including all too familiar scenes from the singer's childhood life on a farm, drug abuse, affairs, and much much more!

While this movie may differ from the type of music being sung, this seems to be the carbon copy of last year's Ray. So naturally, WTL expresses similar upsides, and drawbacks. Like Ray, WTL provides for amazing performances in almost all the characters.

Mr. Phoenix plays Johnny Cash with ease and brilliance, making sure that each moment of silent reflection is as powerful as his spoken ones. In some of Cash's more down-trodden of experiences, phoenix truly shines, showing that the power of a scene does not have to be compassion and sympathy for a character, but can be equally effective with the reaction of pity and sorrow. We know the potential of Cash, and it literally hurts us to see him stumbling around amidst the judgment of his supposed peers. Successfully, phoenix so brilliantly portrays Cash's downfall, that the subsequent upward climb feels all the better to the viewer. Phoenix will most likely, like Jaime Foxx, receive his second Academy Award nomination.

Reese Witherspoon is the other star of this movie. In some scenes, she even outperforms her co-star. Playing with June Carter's constructed hilarity, while simultaneously embracing her innocence and blind love, Reese Witherspoon is nothing more than a joy to watch. The brilliance of the performance comes with the complexity of June Carter's defense mechanisms. She sees her true love on a downward spiral and tries to protect herself from the pain she can only assume will hit her head on. The true brilliance of the performance however, comes not with Witherspoon's ability to show these defense mechanisms, but her ability to show how fragile they are. We see her trying to distance herself, but at the same time, it so apparent that the steps she is taking to keep herself from being involved with Cash are seemingly futile. In the film's pinnacle scene (involving a proposal on stage), we see those carefully constructed walls crumble...And we couldn't be happier. Reese Witherspoon, snubbed for her performance in Election, will surely get her first nomination for Best Actress. Along with Felicity Huffman, Reese Witherspoon is one of the category's only locks.

Unfortunately, the talent and performance of the individual actors far outdoes the quality of the film, a problem many had with Ray. WTL is a brilliant character movie, but never ventures away from its "Made For TV" feel. With awkward editing and a few second-too-long closeups, the movie has its flaws. We, as viewers, can watch and appreciate the characters and their interactions, but never truly become involved with the film. WTL lacks the quality that truly affects the viewer, a quality that Million Dollar Baby easily possessed. While this film may get its nomination for Best Picture, it will suffer the same fate as Ray and The Aviator, a worthy nomination and a reputation for being known as incredibly acted bio-pics.

RATING: B+

The Predictions for the end of December are as follows. They don't represent the changes that will come with The SAG Award noms, the guilds, and the Golden Globe results.

Picture:
1. Brokeback Mountain
2. Good Night And Good Luck
3. Munich
4. Walk The Line
5. King Kong
Honorable Mention: A History of Violence, Match Point, Cinderella Man

Director:
1. Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain
2. Steven Speilberg - Munich
3. George Clooney - GNGL
4: Peter Jackson - King Kong
5: David Cronenberg - AHOV
HM: Bennett Miller, Woody Allen

Actor:
1. Phillip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
2. Heath Ledger - Brokeback Mountain
3. Jaoquin Pheonix - Walk The Line
4. David Straitharn - GNGL
5. Jeff Daniels - The Squid And The Whale
HM: Viggo Mortenson, Terrence Howard

Actress:
1. Felicity Huffman - Transamerica
2. Reese Witherspoon - Walk The Line
3. Joan Allen - The Upside of Anger
4. Keira Knightley - Pride & Prejudice
5. Naomi Watts - King Kong
HM: Judi Dench, Charlize Theron, Laura Linney

Supporting Actor:
1. Paul Giamatti - Cinderella Man
2. Jake Gyllenhaal - Brokeback Mountain
3. Matt Dillon - Crash
4. George Clooney - Syriana
5. Kevin Costner - The Upside of Anger
HM: William Hurt, Bob Hoskins

Supporting Actress:
1. Maria Bello - A History of Violence
2. Scarlett Johansson - Match Point
3. Michelle Williams - Brokeback Mountain
4. Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardner
5. Amy Adams - Junebug
HM: Laura Linney, Diane Keaton

Comment: While I am fairly certain that Laura Linney will capture a nomination for her work in The Squid And The Whale, I am not entirely sure which way she is being campaigned: Supporting, or Lead. Which is why she is only an Honorable Mention as of now

Welcome to the beginning of what I hope will become an enjoyable and informational cite. The Opened Envelope aims to predict and analyze the latest Oscar race. This includes predictions, precursor awards, category analysis and movie reviews. All of which are soon to come.

Next post will include detailed predictions for each major category.

Hope you enjoy!