Drive

The movie Drive starring Ryan Gosling begins slick and stylized. There is something fresh and retro about it all at the same time. The music throughout compliments the story; it is at times 80s and all of the original music is by Cliff Martinez. The cast is strong, co-starring Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Christina Hendricks and Albert Brooks. We are given a glimpse into the life of Gosling's character, known only as the Driver -- a Hollywood stunt driver, a mechanic and getaway driver. The movie builds in tension and you just know that it is all going to hit the fan at some point.

Gosling is as hot as ever and I am glad to have seen my final big pic of his from 2011. Drive is nominated for a Best Sound Editing Oscar. Some of the sounds which are so striking are for those of brutal violence. I was glad to be viewing the movie at home so that when the violence began I could have a glass of wine and look away. This is not my favorite type of genre but the movie is done very well.

Also on DVD...
Kung Fu Panda 2
Truth be told I only watched this movie because it is one of the Best Animated Feature nominees. I had enjoyed the first one in theaters and the sequel features the returning voice talent of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan, Jackie Chan and Lucy Liu. Part of the plot happily deals with Po the panda discovering that he was indeed adopted by his father the goose. The dialogue is clever in the non-action scenes and the rest of the story is about the appearance of the villain Shen the peacock as voiced by Gary Oldman. Oldman is nominated for Best Actor in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Entertainers of the Year 2011

Ryan Gosling
Smoldering hot and fantastic in Crazy Stupid Love, paired with the drama of Ides of March, 2011 was Gosling's year. Stylish, well acted, hot Gosling. Much improved from the depressing drivel that was Blue Valentine in last year's award season. Though the Canadian mouseketeer was an executive producer and plays a mean ukulele. His starring role in Drive was also well reviewed. I have yet to see Drive but it will be on DVD January 31st.

Emma Stone
Also strong in Crazy Stupid Love, Stone was incredible as Skeeter in the Help. She seemed natural in the role while maintaining the book's spirit. Stone also hosted SNL and had a quick scene in Friends With Benefits. Stone certainly built on her momentum of quality roles from last year (Easy A, her first time hosting SNL came in 2010). I plan on forgiving her for the Amazing Spiderman in 2012.

Kristen Wiig
Star of Bridesmaids and countless SNL sketches, Wiig is hilarious and thanks to the success of Bridesmaids many more people realized that in 2011. Wiig will reteam with Maya Rudolph and Jon Hamm in Friends With Kids in June. The movie was written and directed by Hamm's longtime girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt. "Approved!" -- think Target lady!

honorable mention: comedy
The Sitcom Renaissance - returning favs Modern Family and Parks and Rec, new gems like 2 Broke Girls, Up All Night, Happy Endings and New Girl. Quality SNL and Jimmy Fallon. Movies --Bridesmaids, Crazy Stupid Love, Midnight in Paris. 2011 was a good year for my preferred genre.

The Ides of March

My kick-off week to Oscar season continued by seeing the Clooney/Gosling political drama this Sunday afternoon. Anyone who knows me would probably have thought that I would have rushed to see this movie when it came out the first week of October because of the subject matter, the actors and the related Oscar possibilities. I was surprised at my lack of motivation to see the Ides of March but that did not get me to the theater. I am glad that Katy and I were talking about how attractive Ryan Gosling is and pondered why we had not see it yet last night.

Clooney directed a thoroughly well written film. The trailers were skillfully crafted to lead the audience in one direction. I honestly had no predictions for what was going to happen or how the movie would end. There is also an excellent score and randomly Leonardo DiCaprio was an executive producer.

Thus far the rumored Oscar movies are still very much a part of early buzz; how the nominations will fall is not yet predictable. This usually prevents me from starting too early but for whatever serendipitous reason I have already seen a few. I aim to start earlier each year and do something new. Maybe seeing more movies sooner is my way of doing both this year.

Happy 31st birthday weekend to Mr Gosling. Man can wear a coat like no other.

Crazy Stupid Love

I finally saw Crazy Stupid Love with Emily on Labor Day. A week ago. It was an excellent movie. The press I had read after it premiered was what prompted my Rom Com list a few weeks back. Crazy Stupid Love is beyond the mold/genre/stereotype of what a romantic comedy is. 

In less adept hands, with sub par writing and a different execution, this movie would not be as heartfelt, hilarious or believable. I will not spoil with details but I was impressed with America for keeping some surprises a secret.

I am not a fan of the main poster, but I very much enjoy this series of promotions.

Rabbit Hole/Blue Valentine

Each of these two films have one Oscar nomination each, for Best Actress.

Nicole Kidman is excellent and strong in Rabbit Hole. She consistently delivers strong performances. The subject matter is difficult, the loss of a young child, but the journey of the movie is engaging and well executed. Aaron Eckhart and the entire cast, including Dianne Wiest and Sandra Oh, give extraordinary performances.

Blue Valentine features Michelle Williams as a wife whose marriage is struggling. The story of the present is woven with flashbacks of how the couple met in the past. Williams is another actress who is selective about her work and chooses serious roles. I absolutely don't understand why the MPAA initially gave the movie an NC17 rating. Blue Valentine is fairly depressing and not one I'd see again or recommend. I think I'm spoiled with the quality of films on this years Oscar ballot.