Below is a sample of movie reviews that appeared in print After the Academy Awards, a few years ago.

Barbara and I also did a cable show (Bifocals, named after this column) and may reprise this show in the near future in Laguna Woods,CA for another local cable station. Stay tuned. By the way, the measure stick was binoculars (like thumbs up). The more binoculars, the better. For now, enjoy this column from the past:

After the Awards

Binocular ()Movie Reviews

By Gordon & Barbara Rich

Reviewing movies that have already won awards may seem a little like closing the proverbial barn door after the farm has shut down for the season.  However, we have two great theaters in Los Cabos  (films presented in English with Spanish subtitles) and let’s face it, sometimes you just want to see a movie. Who knows? Maybe you did not get a chance to see some of the top five nominated films until now, or you are dying to see one of those award winners again on video (also available in English). In any event we here offer quick reviews and synopses of those films that were nominated for Academy Awards this past February. As always, we give you our slightly differing perspective so that you can make a better choice in what you would like to see. Our process is purely arbitrary and based upon the numbering system of one to five binoculars (five is the best—and you may notice that size matters, too). These reviews are in alphabetic order, but we’ll let you know what each of our favorites were and why.

Aviator ()()()()()

Category: Drama/ Director: Martin Scorsese / Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Adam Scott, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Jude Law, Gwen Stefani/ Release Date: December 17, 2004

Running Time: 2 hr 48 mins/ Rating: PG-13

A movie about a billionaire-hermit is something you gotta love.  Especially since this is based on the true story of Howard Hughes. This fact, may have been the movie’s downfall, for as famous as such a name is to some, other audience members (especially younger ones) may never have heard of the man.  Also, director Martin Scorsese has been accused of focusing too narrowly on the aviation part of Hughes’s life, shuffling the timeline a little and even leaving out important details—such as the fact that he was married—but the fact of the matter is that this is an engaging film, classically presented in the style of movie making that puts you in the period of history that reflects Howard Hughes (an innovator in film making as well as making airplanes).  I truly believed that this would be the pick for best film of the year and Martin Scorsese (who has unbelievably never won an Oscar—even though he has directed big screen greats such as Raging Bull and Gangs of New York) deserved the best director nod.  But, I was wrong in both cases.  This picture did win the consolation Golden Globe prize and a fistful of other Oscars, such as one for best supporting actress for Cate Blanchett (she also won at the Screen Actor’s Guild for her portrayal of Kathryn Hepburn), but the big cookie eluded this blockbuster.  Still, here are some of the best plane crash, special effects I’ve ever seen and I often felt as though I were truly in the moment that was being recreated. Marty, you were robbed! Can it be that Scorsese is being punished because he lives in New York and not Hollywood?

--G

I personally am intoxicated by this era, the styles , the glamour , and all the glitz that was Hollywood.   I like the idea that facts about Howard Hughes, other than what most of us are familiar with, were exposed in this film.  His genius as an inventor and innovator, ranging from high tech airplanes to under wire bras, speaks volumes of his talents. And his daring!  He braved two serious plane crashes, one scarring him for life.   This is a man I would like to have known.  Even his dark side fascinates me. He had overpowering bouts with OCD and yet still managed to attract some of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.

--B

Finding Neverland ()()()

Director: Marc Forster / Cast: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Freddie Highmore, Dustin Hoffman, Radha Mitchell, Joe Prospero

Release Date: November 12, 2004/ Running Time: 1 hr 46 mins /Rating: PG

         This story is about J.M. Barrie the man who penned Peter Pan, portrayed by the nominated (and always great) Johnny Depp. This was definitely the year of the biography, and this one was beautifully done—though, again probably not historically accurate.  I found it fascinating to see how the guy who inspired the likes of Michael Jackson and countless other males who really don’t want to grow up —came up with the ever enduring concept of Neverland.  There are some underlying, tear-welling sub-plots that may or may not contribute to your enjoyment of this film, but will definitely contribute to the use of some hankies.  The youngster (Freddie Highmore) who plays the real-boy Peter—inspiring the character in the play—steals every scene he is in. I liked it. The film won the Oscar for Original Score, but who cares? --G

       This picture was very average for me.   I would never have placed it in the award-winning category, but somehow it was one of the five nominations.  The only performance that impressed me was that of the young man who played Peter. I am a sucker for sentimental flicks, but this didn’t work for me. –B

Hotel Rwanda ()()()

Category: Drama/ Director: Terry George / Cast: Don Cheadle, Djimon Hounsou, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Sophie Okonedo

Release Date: Dec.22, 2004/ Running Time: 1 hr 58 mins/ Rating: PG 13

       Don Cheadle always makes the best of every role, and generally is the key ingredient in a movie’s success. If you get a chance to see his tribute to basketball legend Earl “the Goat” Managualt, by all means rent it.  This tale is also based-on-a-true story, and again he steps front and center to play Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of a four-star hotel stuck in the crossfire of a 1994 Rwandan massacre. Somehow, he manages to use the integrity of the hotel to save 1,200 refugees with no help from his parent companies and the strained United Nations troops (headed by Nick Nolte). The movie somehow failed for me because I alternately did not feel connected to the violence and overwhelmed by another depressing portrayal of man’s inhumanity to man.  The ending is a little contrived and abrupt, but still if you are interested in seeing excellent acting, this is one to watch.

--G

         I didn’t particularly enjoy this movie, but this is a film that should be seen. We need to be aware that this sort of inhumanity exists in this part of the world. Don Cheadle embraced this character, as he usually does and made it his own. The supporting actress nomination that his co-star Sophie Okonedo received and the one that Don Cheadle earned in the Lead Actor category were both well deserved. Unfortunately, Cheadle was up against my favorite performance of the year, as you’ll read later. --B

Million Dollar Baby ()()()()

Category: Drama/ Director: Clint Eastwood Cast: Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Brian O'Byrne, Bruce MacVittie

Release Date: Dec, 17, 2004/ Running Time: 2 hr 17 mins/ Rating: PG 13

You only need to know three things about this movie: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank.  Naturally there was a screenwriter some other people running around doing other things (actually the writer won for best script), but the bulk of the movie’s responsibilities are divvied up pretty much between these three consummate actors. It is no surprise that Hilary Swank won the Oscar for best actress and Morgan Freeman finally won the golden statue for his supporting role.  Clint also nominated for best actor sadly had to settle for best director and best picture statues.  It definitely has some room for improvement, in my opinion as the script uses a tired old writer’s trick of a narrator-character. However, Eastwood, Freeman and Swank (who are in every scene) show us why they are considered great. There was some controversy about the message the film is sending (and I cannot tell you what that controversy is, or I may ruin it for those of you who have been living in seclusion and don’t know what the film is about).  In the end, the message is that this is a great boxing movie and an excellent character study. The characters act the way they must given the situations that are presented in this film.  I don’t believe there is a “bigger” message than that. If you like these three actors (and who doesn’t?) then this is a must see film. --G

         Take notice that any actor who makes dramatic physical changes to their body, gaining or losing chunks of weight or being blind or deaf, will definitely be recognized by the academy. Hilary Swank did just that.  She bulked up for this part and played tough only to be weak in the end. She earned this Oscar the hard way.  Good for her.  Morgan Freeman…what can I say about him?  He could do the life of Madonna and convince me.   That’s how good he is.  This is not a feel good movie but I highly recommend it.

--B

Ray ()()()().5

Category: Drama/ Director: Taylor Hackford/ Cast: Jamie Foxx,  Regina King,  Kerry Washington, Richard Schiff, Aunjanue Ellis

Running time: 2 hrs. 33 min./ Release Date: Oct.  29th, 2004/ Rating: PG-13

       Ray is the musical biographical drama of the legendary Ray Charles, someone that people of all ages may actually have heard of this year. Blind at the age of seven shortly after witnessing his younger brother's accidental death Charles found his calling in the music which crossed-over all styles and genres. Ray Charles was a musical genius who revolutionized both the way we listen to music and the music industry. He used his uniqueness to champion the cause of integration in the clubs, business and southern states where his success exploded.   Again, not totally accurate perhaps (especially in the depiction of Charles as a recovered addict), but in this case we really don’t care since the music is great and the performance by Jamie Foxx won the well deserved Oscar for an actor.  Foxx doesn’t just play the part of Ray, he becomes Ray Charles. It is mesmerizing to watch and hear and—we believe—experience the world the way that Ray Charles must have.  Also, the actor who plays Ray as a young boy deserves an honorable mention. However, Jamie Foxx’s tour-de-force towers above everyone else on the screen…just as Ray Charles himself towered above all others in his field.

--G

       Well, it’s true, everything you heard about Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of  Ray Charles. If I didn’t know Ray Charles passed away, I would think he still lives on through Jamie Foxx. Ray Charles, as a blind man, couldn’t see this film, but he didn’t have to , he lived it.  See for yourself this stellar performance.  I remember sneaking off to Harlem with my girlfriends to see the great Ray Charles when I was young and that excitement was still with me when I saw this film.  As you may have guessed, this was my favorite performance by an actor this year.  Nothing else came close, although I too picked the Aviator to win best picture for the overall achievement.

--B

Sideways  ()()()()

Category: Comedy/ Director: Alexander Payne/ Cast: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, Marylouise Burke

Release Date: October 22, 2004/ Running Time: 2 hr 3 mins/ Rating: R

       Of all the comedies that we saw this past year, Gordon laughed the loudest and longest during our initial viewing of this movie.  It is also one that can be appreciated again and again for the subtleties of the performances and the writing. This film won the Oscar for Screenplay Adaptation, which is Hollywood’s way of saying, “sure, WE liked it, but…”

It also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—comedy or musical and the SAG Award for Best Ensemble Cast. There were nominations in a number of Oscar categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor.

       On the surface, this is a story about people who all connect through their interest in wine tasting along the California coast.  Two of the male characters are taking a pre-wedding, bachelor tour of wineries and meet the female characters.  I am ashamed to admit, I was amused by how close-to-home the portrayal of the male characters was revealed, even when their twisted logic and self-serving, egotistical decision-making processes dig them further and further into trouble.  Interestingly, many women feel that this is a chick-flick, but I don’t know why. If you are willing to see the not so flattering parts of yourself in these characters, you will come away with a smile while possibly, also a shake of the head. I highly recommend this film. –G

       For me it was more about the wine, the history of wine, the savoring of wine.  Comparing wine to life in general.   The male characters were men being boys not wanting to grow up and take responsibility (Hey, was this Neverland revisited?).  Parts of this movie were amusing, but mostly it’s a guy’s movie.  If this is a chick-flick, I must have missed something, although it is true that the most memorable scenes were those of the nominated female actresses. 

--B