Oscar Movie Review

The weather has gone from perfectly pleasant to pretty darn cold lately.  It even poured rain today!  When it's raining outside, we like to sit under a cozy blanket and watch movies!  Yes, I know we're in Buenos Aires and we're supposed to be out and about all the time, but that's just not our style.  Don't get me wrong, we love going out and seeing the world, but we also love just being normal and watching TV at home.  Since we've left home, we've watched a lot of the 2015 Oscar movies (every year I try and see most of them at some point) and I will review them for you now.

Boyhood

Boyhood is about a boy growing up with a single mom (his dad visits occasionally).  His childhood is kinda screwed up, but his mom does the best she can.  What made this movie interesting was the fact that they filmed it over like 12 years, so you literally get to watch the boy grow up before your eyes.  Extremely cool concept.  HOWEVER, I'm sorry but this was the most boring movie ever!  Very few major events occur (it's like watching real life and that's not what I go to the movies for) and it was a snooze (it might be in my head, but it felt like it was at least 3 hours long).  I know I'm in the minority because most people just love this movie, but I really didn't care for it at all.  

Aaron liked it, which is saying something because there are no action scenes and no one getting their face sown onto an ass, so it must have some merit if he actually enjoyed it.

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs down  Aaron: Thumbs up

American Sniper

American Sniper is the true story about a Navy SEAL who becomes one of the best snipers in history and the wife and family he continuously leaves behind.  It was a truly heartfelt movie, not only telling his story, but his wife's as well, which was really interesting.  It kept my attention the entire time, which isn't always easy and the acting was pretty good.  I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs up

Birdman

This movie was so weird!  It was about a washed up actor trying to put on a play and have a second chance at recognition.  All the characters are over-the-top strange, but the acting is fantastic.  The dialogue and the way it was shot made this movie very unique.  I'm not sure why I liked this movie, I think it was Michael Keaton's honesty in playing the role (it's reads almost like a warped version of his autobiography).  "KAW!  KAW!"

Overall:  Sharmeela : Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs up

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Classic Wes Anderson, which I absolutely love!  His style is unlike any other, with every detail completely accounted for.  I bet being on the set felt like being enveloped in another world.  Anderson's movies are quirky, eccentric, sometimes dangerous, sometimes laughable and always fun.  The Grand Budapest Hotel is about a hotel concierge, his young protege and their crazy shenanigans.  That's all you need to know.  Go watch it!  Absolute perfection.  

Aaron didn't think it was Wes Anderson's best work and was unimpressed.  Boo!

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs down

The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything is the true story about Stephen Hawking and not only his amazing discoveries as a theoretical physicist, but also as he discovers he has ALS (a motor neuron disease).  The love story between Stephen and his girlfriend-turned-wife, Jane, is at the core of this story and it's not only uplifting, but heartbreaking at the same time.  Really well done and incredible acting on the part of the guy playing Hawking (Jane was great too).  That's what really sold it for me.

Aaron liked it, but said it was a little too lengthy and he wished they focused more on the relationship between Stephen and Jane, instead of focusing so much on his work accomplishments.  

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs down

Whiplash

Whiplash is about a drummer at some sort of prestigious music school and the teacher that pushes him to the absolute limit.  Lines are crossed, but it raises an interesting question:  How far is too far to push someone to achieve greatness?  Great story line and the acting was insanely good, especially the drum playing.  You just know the actors just had to be torn apart from the inside for their roles and I love stuff like that.  I really, really liked this one.  I mean, who knew drumming could be like a blood sport?

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs sideways

Imitation Game

The Imitation Game is the true story about a mathematician hired (with a team) to break "unbreakable" Nazi codes to help end WWII.  I don't want to say more than that and give anything away.  The story is magnificent and I truly loved it!  

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs way up  Aaron: Thumbs up

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher is another true story about a wealthy man who hires an Olympic wrestler to live at his estate and form a wrestling team to compete in the 1988 Olympics.  The wrestler's brother (a more renowned champion wrestler), agrees to help coach his brother and the team.  The wealthy man's behaviors become increasingly bizarre, and so does his relationship with the brothers.  Fantastically written and acted from start to finish.  Steve Carell was so grody in this movie, as the rich freakazoid and Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo really sold the wrestling angle, which was very impressive.

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs sideways

Inherent Vice

Inherent Vice is about a stoner private detective in the 70's, looking for a missing friend.  I honestly was so confused and could not stay awake for the whole movie (and I tried to watch it twice!).  

Aaron actually liked it, so I guess it's good if you can manage to stay awake.

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs down  Aaron: Thumbs up

Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler is about a weirdo who falls into a new career as a paparazzi for crimes.  Basically, he listens to police scanners and shows up to crime scenes, films them and sells the footage to news stations.  It becomes increasingly dangerous and gory, but he becomes increasingly daring and ruthless.  Jake Gyllenhaal did a really great job being a complete creep in this movie.

Aaron really liked this one.

Overall:  Sharmeela: Thumbs up  Aaron: Thumbs way up

So, that's my Oscar movie review (keep in mind, all Aaron's comments (and thumbs) were made in passing in between bites of Big Mac, so this review is mostly just my opinions).  Now, I'm no expert movie reviewer (unless sitting on the couch watching movies all my life, forever can be considered expert), so don't take my word for any of this.  Most people really liked lots of the movies I couldn't stand, so get out there and make up your own minds (unless your opinion differs from mine, in which case you're wrong, sorry.  (Just kidding!)).  That being said, all of the movies were really well made, but I think I'd have to say my favorite movie on this list was The Imitation Game.  I thought the story was incredible.  Aaron's favorite was Nightcrawler.  He thought Jake Gyllenhaal was incredible.  I realize that we glaringly neglected Selma, but it's not because we don't want to see it, we just haven't had a chance yet.  

We're also hoping to see all the documentaries, but they are harder to find.  So far we've seen Finding Vivian Mayer (fantastic), CitizenFour (OMG EPIC!), Virunga (had it's moments) and Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 (really good).  

Happy movie watching!!!