Okay, now that we’ve all recovered from Angelina Jolie’s death glares, Elton John’s snippy behaviour, Charlize Theron’s misguided headband and (it pains me to say this) Jane Fonda’s trout pout, it’s time to talk about the ostensible reason any of us pay attention to the Golden Globes in the first place. It’s the movies, stupid!
How many of this year’s big awards-season contenders have you seen? I make no secret of the fan that come December, when the critics start tallying their votes and film companies roll out overlong movies about prize horses, whimsical little children and Beautiful Damaged People, I get out a pen and a high-lighter and start making lists of all the potential award-winners I absolutely must see. My thinking: How can I realistically favour an actor for an Oscar win unless I’ve judged their performance against all the others in the category? (Never mind all those rumours of Oscar voters tossing their ballots to their wives and saying, “Honey, just pick what you want.”)
You’ll know the Oscar nominees by the time you flick on your TV set next Wednesday morning – and I’ll know whether I have to force myself to sit through
War Horse before the big show on February 27. There are a couple of sure bets that aren’t yet in Australian cinemas (supposed front-runner
The Artist will arrive February 2, and you’ll have to wait until February 16 to see Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe), but most of the year’s big contenders are there for the taking – either on the big screen, via your Apple TV or at the nearest DVD hire outlet. Here are five that you really shouldn’t miss:
The Descendants George Clooney could snag his second Oscar for a stealthily touching performance as a Hawaiian father of two coping with the lurid aftermath of his wife’s death. This slice-of-life drama has been praised to the heavens, and while I must admit I wasn’t taken in upon first viewing, I plan to see it again before Oscar night – second viewings often reveal plenty that went unseen the first time round. (
in cinemas)
The Iron Lady Opening frame of the movie: “Holy shit, that’s Meryl Streep?!” Ten minutes into the movie: “Holy shit, I forgot that was Meryl Streep!” The movie has its problems – shifty plot, toothless politics, a weak script and not one memorable secondary character – but frankly, if Meryl Streep can’t bag her long-overdue third Oscar for it, then I give up. (
in cinemas)
Beginners I can’t say enough good things about this lovely little film about a lonely graphic designer (Ewan Macgregor) who juggles a new romance and his father’s unexpected coming out. Oscar night’s surest bet: Christopher Plummer, who is likely to take home a much-deserved supporting actor gong for his gorgeous, mood-enhancing work in this film. That’s right – the Captain may finally get an Oscar!
(on DVD)
Moneyball Yes, it’s about baseball. No, you won’t be bored. That’s because this is a film not so much about baseball, but about one exhausted manager whose quixotic dream of building the perfect team upends an entire industry – and transforms his life. After 20 years, Brad Pitt – who gives a wonderfully lived-in performance – might finally win an Oscar – I’m certainly rooting for him. (
on DVD)
The Help This absorbing, often quite funny drama about the fragile peace between white suburbanites and their black maids in the early ‘60s American south deserves its smash-hit status – it’s an accomplished crowd-pleaser with a pitch-perfect cast, all of them women. (Seriously, I think the men of the film get in about 14 lines total.) Like
Fried Green Tomatoes and
Steel Magnolias, this is bound to be a girls’ night go-to for decades to come.
(on DVD)
Nicholas Fonseca is madison’s features and news editor. You can follow him on Twitter at @NFonseca78 Related content:
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